Lewis, Powell win Juniors golf titles

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS — Frenchtown’s Katie Lewis made history and Hamilton’s Brady Powell won a playoff to claim the girls and boys titles at the weather-shortened Montana State Juniors golf tournament.

The 59th running of the event was marred by weather on Friday: Competitors ended up getting in just nine holes that day, and more than half of them did not come back for Friday’s final 18. 

When Saturday began Helena’s John Gilbert owned a one-stroke lead over Powell, thanks in part to a first-round 67. Both had birdie opportunities on 18, both missed, and the duo replayed No. 10. Powell parred and Gilbert bogeyed. 

Tied for third were Polson’s Max Milton and Billings’ Colin Jensen, who also tied for first in the Boys 14-15 division, with a three-day total of 1-under 179. Milton opened with a 69 on Thursday, shot 36 on Friday and had a 74 on Saturday while Jensen shot a 72. 

Glacier High product Torren Murray was eighth with a three-day total of 5-over 185.  

Lewis, who will join the University of Montana’s golf program this fall, won her third straight Juniors title. Her three-day total of 9-over 189 included a 77 on Sunday. 

She is the first to win three straight (State A) high school golf titles and three straight Montana Juniors championships. 

Cate Leydig, the 2023 State C medalist out of Lone Peak High School in Big Sky, finished her third round with 10 straight pars, shot 75 and finished four strokes back. 

Great Falls’ Hana Boyd, who will golf at MSU-Billings, was third at 195.  

Karlee Brown of Whitefish was the top overall area finisher among the girls, tied for seventh with another golfer from tiny Big Sky’s Olivia Kamienarz. Both had a three-day total of 218. 

Full results can be found at Golf Genius. Password is 25MSGAJR.