LIBERTY LAKE — Sandpoint golf head coach Mike Deprez said he was encouraged by the boys' and girls’ team performance at the Liberty Lake Invitational on Tuesday.

Both matches used an individual scoring system, in which golfers were matched 1-on-1 and earned 1 point for winning the hole, one-half for halving, or 0 for losing. 

Sandpoint’s girls team placed third out of five teams at the nearby MeadowWood Golf Course, scoring 37 points. Deprez said they displayed solid fundamentals and showed the improvement in a competitive setting that he wanted to see. 

The Bulldogs’ top golfer, Hannah Majors, notched nine points shooting an 87, which is inside the range that Deprez wanted to see from her. Deprez gave a shoutout to Hailey Gove, who scored 10.5 points, and added that her swing development is progressing well. 

“Yesterday was kind of a funky format... so it's tough to look at the points that were garnered and say that's a reflection of who is dominant or not,” Deprez said. “So, I was just more, how are the swings? And are the swings in a good place? Were they mentally in a good place? And the answer is yes.” 

Deprez spent his day with the boys team, who played at the Liberty Lake Golf Course, and finished fifth of the five teams on the day, scoring 33 points. The Bulldogs’ head coach said that his boys showed him exactly what he wanted to see: a good mental attitude and consistent swings. 

“This is the first week that they have been engaging in competitive play, trying to get used to a slightly more sound, but different, swing,” Deprez said. “I think that they'll get more confident, you know, as we play more forward, and those fundamentals are a little bit more solidified. So, I'm very happy.” 

Senior Bode Eacret, expected to be one of the best golfers in 5A, shot a 72, which only netted eight points. Deprez said he was matched up with some of the best golfers there and that the competition really helped them push each other. 

The Bulldogs’ highest scorer was Ryan Yake, who brought in 10 ½ points, while Ely Miller scored 7 ½, Rajah Brown scored 6 ½ and Beckett Fuller notched 6 ½. Drake Reid, a rising freshman for Sandpoint who scored six points, was matched up with a much older player and gave him fits, Deprez said. 

"The other guy was complaining that he couldn't win a point against this kid that's three years younger than him,” Deprez said. “He was clearly frustrated. He was like, ‘All we do is tie, and I can't beat this kid.’ So that was good out there.” 

Deprez said that one of the reasons he liked the individualized format is that it helps the golfers stay present from hole to hole.  

Both teams are heading to The Highlands Invitational next Wednesday at The Highlands Golf Course in Post Falls. Deprez said he’s looking forward to seeing how the golfers handle the more difficult course. 

BOYS  

At Liberty Lake Golf Course  

Match Play  

TEAM SCORES — 1, Post Falls 48 points. 2, Lakeland 44. 3, Lewiston 43 ½. 4. Lake City 35 ½. 5, Sandpoint 33.  

POST FALLS — Karl Berend 10 points, Jaeson Walker 16 points, Mason Leiser 7 points, Will Gillies 9 points, Wyatt Langhans 8 points, Easton Annotti 13 points.  

LAKELAND — Tyler Zachary 10 points, Dom Tuscan 11 1/2 points, Luke Karchner 11 points, Sawyer Bateman 6 ½ points, Marty Babb 11 ½ points, Maddox Score 10 points.  

LEWISTON — Ashton Literal 10 points, Colt Walker 8 points, Landon Blewett 11 ½ points, Davis Sartini 10 points, Max Elliott 7 ½ points.  

LAKE CITY — Olin Elgee 8 points, Tyler Sells 10 ½ points, Cody Schreiber 2 points, Kellen Carr 9 points, Sam Raymond 5 points, Logan Strimback 8 points.  

SANDPOINT — Bode Eacret 8 points, Ely Miller 7 ½ points, Beckett Fuller 6 ½ points, Drake Reid 6 points, Rajah Brown 6 ½ points, Ryan Yake 10 ½ points.  

GIRLS  

At MeadowWood Golf Course, Liberty Lake  

Match Play  

TEAM SCORES — 1, Lakeland 48 points. 2, Lake City 47. 3, Sandpoint 37. 4, Lewiston 34.5. 5, Post Falls 18.  

LAKELAND — Paige Carey 9 points, Ellie Austad 14 points, 3, Dani Russell 13 points, Tessa Dorr 8 points, Kendal Prety 12 points, Bailee Gordon 2 points.  

LAKE CITY — Danika Thompson 9.5 points, Nadya Wilson 4 points, Shelby Hagerty 11.5 points, Rylie Kim 10 points, Samantha Sewchok 6 ½ points, Mazzy Friend 16 points.  

SANDPOINT — Hannah Majors 9 points, Evey Walker 6 points, Ella Mahlum 5 points, Hailey Gove 10.5 points, Ysabelle Lopez 6 points, Allison Petro 11.5 points.  

POST FALLS — Maria Gordon 11 ½ points, Lilly Lowery 6 ½ points.