On a clear blue sky morning high school golf teams gathered Saturday for the 2022 Gary Thompson Invitational at River’s Bend Golf Course outside of Thompson Falls.

And after a brief “frost” delay to let the white stuff melt off the greens and fairways, 11 golf teams from throughout Northwest Montana teed off in quest of individual and team honors in the biggest high school golf tournament of the year for Sanders County.

First place in the boys competition went to Loyola, which placed four golfers in the top 10 in scoring to run away with the team title. Second place went to Eureka and Seeley-Swan, paced by individual boys titlist Colin Wade’s 78, captured third.

Bigfork, meanwhile, was an easy winner in the girls’ team competition, led by individual champion Keni Wade’s 90. The Lady Valkyries also got a fourth place finish from Kaitie Hummel (109) and fifth from McKenzie Holton (112).

Top local finisher was Thompson Falls standout junior Ellie Baxter, who carded a 99 for the 18 holes of play.

In the boys competition, St. Regis got a third place finish from Kaden Mathoney, who shot an 84, and a fourth place score from Jack Connoly who shot an 85. Both Tigers golfers came within four shots of second place Ari Nicholas of Seeley, who shot an 81 on the day.

The tourney was played on a bright, sunny day unlike the many rainy, windy and snowy days that have wreaked havoc with golf schedules since the 2022 season began.

All four Sanders and Mineral county teams, Superior, St. Regis, Plains and T falls will travel to St. Regis this Thursday for the St. Regis Invitational at the Trestle Creek Golf Course just east of St. Regis.