Polson golfers shine with top finishes at Whitefish, Bigfork tournaments

The Polson golf teams made a strong statement during back-to-back tournaments last week, highlighted by standout medalist rounds from sophomore Max Milton and strong depth on both sides.

At the Whitefish Invitational on Wednesday, Milton fired a blistering 65 to win medalist honors and set the junior course record, finishing two strokes ahead of Corvallis’s Brady Powell. Teammate Cash Brown shot a personal best 78 to tie for sixth, while Carson Emerson added an 82 to tie for 11th. Polson’s 311 team total earned second place behind Corvallis (308).

Ronan also impressed, placing third with a team total of 320. Oliver Rowe shot a 68 to take third individually, only three strokes behind Milton, while Kolby Finley carded a 76 to tie for fourth. The Chiefs’ consistency pushed them past Columbia Falls and Whitefish in the team standings.

On the girls’ side, senior Madi Lake posted a lifetime low 91 for fourth place, while Johana Bieber carded a 99 to tie for sixth. The Lady Pirates also got a 99 from Harlie Fischer, who tied Bieber in sixth. Their combined efforts helped Polson finish third with 416, trailing only Whitefish (373) and Hamilton (401).

Cheyenne Bieber scored a 110 in the tournament, a personal best.

Ronan’s LaRae Mays tied for 22nd with a 117. 

The following day at the Steve Hullett Invitational in Bigfork, Milton once again dominated, carding another 65 to secure medalist honors easily. Emerson backed him up with a 76, tying for fifth overall, while Brown’s 79 placed him ninth. Senior Soren Lund rounded out the Pirate scoring with an 83, tying for 15th. With all four finishers inside the top 15, Polson claimed the boys’ team title with a 303, 10 strokes ahead of Whitefish.

Ronan also stayed near the top of the leaderboard, finishing fifth at 341. Rowe shot a 75 for fourth place, while teammates supported with steady rounds to keep the Chiefs in the top half of the 13-team field.

The Lady Pirates also had a strong showing, finishing second overall with 387, just behind Whitefish (377). Lake shot 92 for fifth place, followed closely by Bieber’s 94 in sixth. Fischer added a 97, tying for seventh, while freshman Olivia Cottet rounded out the team with a 104, tying for 15th.

Ronan’s Mays shaved 10 strokes off her last outing to score a 110 to place 19th. 

With Milton securing back-to-back 65s and Polson placing multiple players near the top of the leaderboard, the Pirates are quickly looking impressive in Class A again.

    Polson's Madi Lake watches her approach on the first fairway at the Bigfork Invitational at Eagle Bend Golf Club on Thursday, Sept. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 

    Polson's Max Milton chips out of a greenside bunker on the second hole of the Bigfork Invitational at Eagle Bend Golf Club on Thursday, Sept. 4. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider