After a fifth-place finish during last year’s State B-C golf championships, Thompson Falls senior Ellie Baxter appears to be picking up where she left off.

The multi-sport standout, playing in her first golf tournament of the year due to some early season weather that wiped out an earlier opening, shot a 90 to finish fourth out of 36 golfers who competed in the two-day Eureka Invitational this past week.

Thompson Falls played on only one day of the event, hitting the course at Indian Springs, site of this year’s Divisional Tournament.

In what golf coach Doree Thilmony described as a “good start” to the season, the boys team also had a strong showing led by junior Cael Thilmony, who carded a 94. Teammate Colton Wormwood shot a 112 over the 18-hole course, while fellow Blue Hawk Theo Nygarrd finished with a 126.

Unlike last year, when Baxter was often the only team point contributor for the Lady Hawks, Baxter got help from Addi Pardee, 122, and Baxter’s sister, Aubrey, a freshman, who scored a 127 for the day.

Thilmony’s 94 was good for 18th place among the 55 boys golfers. He had a birdie on the 11th hole as part of his solid round.

“Cael had a great day,” said coach Thilmony. “He showed great resilience and patience throughout the day and his chipping allowed for the low score that resulted. I see Cael as a more mature golfer this season and believe he will also lower his score and compete for a place at the state tournament this year.

As for Ellie Baxter, Thilmony was particularly impressed with her on-course coaching for her younger teammates during the event.

“She had great consistency and had great advice for the first-time golfers, saying to them ‘don’t add up your score until the end, focus instead on the process and the score will take care of itself,’” Thilmony said. “she’s been a great leader for her young team and I look forward to more points dropping for Ellie as the season continues”.

Coach Thilmony said Wormwood was “satisfied” with his score as he chases his goal of breaking 100.

“He works hard at his game and focuses on the process as well as evaluating the results as he sets goals for his senior year”.

Thompson Falls travels to Hamilton for a tournament tonight (April 11) , then competes at the Wild Horse golf course in Plains this Friday, April 14 as part of the Plains Invitational.