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Whitefish teams 5th at Western A golf tourney

JULIE ENGLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
by JULIE ENGLER
Julie Engler covers Whitefish City Hall and writes community features for the Whitefish Pilot. She earned master's degrees in fine arts and education from the University of Montana. She can be reached at [email protected] or 406-882-3505. | September 27, 2023 12:00 AM

The Bulldog golf team hosted the Western A Divisional tournament at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club last week.

Polson won first place in both the boys and girls team scores, while the Whitefish boys and girls teams finished in fifth place.

“The boys team didn’t have their best stuff,” said Whitefish Coach Tait Rocksund. “We had a few blow up holes and that led to some big numbers in a few spots that kept us out of a state spot.

“On the girls' side, we missed a state berth by one stroke,” Rocksund added. “It’s a great lesson that every stroke counts and to stay committed to the process of one shot at a time.”

Christian Lund of Polson won the contest with a 72. Tied for second place, with a score of 73, were Libby’s Reece Malyevac and Corvallis’ Tate Jessop. Riley Brown was the top Bulldog, shooting an 80, while Otto Klein finished the tourney with an 88.

“Riley Brown was all-conference for us, and Otto Klein also qualified for state individually with Riley,” Rocksund said.

Katie Lewis of Frenchtown won the day with a 72, while Keni Wade from Bigfork and Ashely Maki from Polson tied for second place, each shooting a 76.

Whitefish’s Leia Brennan shot a 92 and landed in sixth place. Her teammate, Rhylee Scott shot a 104. Rocksund said Scott and Brennan put up solid scores and qualified for state individually.

“Overall, a great season for the Bulldogs. We were young and, for the most part, we overperformed,” said Rocksund. “We just didn’t have our best stuff at this tournament.”

Results:

Boys Team: 1. Polson 304, 2. Corvallis 316, 3. Hamilton 333, 4. Ronan 341, 5. Columbia Falls 345, 5. Whitefish 355

Whitefish Boys: 9. Riley Brown 80, 22. Otto Klein 88, 33. Mason O’Neil 93, 35. Aiden Rickels 94, 55. Ashton Taylor 112,

Girls Team: 1. Polson 355, 2. Hamilton 375, 3. Frenchtown 400, 4. Beaverhead County 410, 5. Whitefish 411

Whitefish Girls: 6. Leia Brennan 92, 18. Ryhlee Scott 104, 21. Karlee Brown 106, 25. Ava Zignego 109, 37. Dessi Young 132.

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Whitefish's Riley Brown watches his drive on the 12th tee during the Western A Divisional tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Thursday, Sept. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish's Leia Brennan watches her drive on the 9th tee during the Western A Divisional tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Thursday, Sept. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

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Whitefish's Riley Brown lines up a putt on the 11th green during the Western A Divisional tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Thursday, Sept. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

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