Prep golfers tee off at T-Falls course
St. Regis junior John Pruitt lines up a putt during Saturday's Gary Thompson Invitational tournament at River's Bend Golf Course near Thompson Falls. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Thompson Falls senior golfer Jesse Claridge tees off nearby the clubhouse during the Gary Thompson Invitational tournament at River's Bend Golf Course. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Golfers from schools throughout the area get in a little pre-tournament practice prior to the start of Saturday's Gary Thompson Invitational tourney at River's Bend Golf Course. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
Bigfork golfers continued their winning ways at the 2023 Gary Thompson Invitational Golf Tournament Saturday at River’s Bend Golf Course near Thompson Falls.
And while the Vikings and Valkyries were enjoying success on a good spring golfing day, Thompson Falls and St. Regis golfers showed they are forces with which to be reckoned this season.
Bigfork’s girls won the team title behind the individual title score carded by Keni Wade, who shot a 87 for the 18-holes. Loyola won the boys’ team title competition led by individual runner up Bryce Lapham, who fired an 82.
Bigfork’s Colin Wade was the low scorer of the meet, shooting a 77, five better than Wade. St. Regis golfer Jack Connoly was third with an 85.
Thompson Falls senior Ellie Baxter, a state placer from last year, continued her strong run this year with a score of 92, good for second place out of 21 golfers. Loyola’s Morgan Neuman was third with a 103.
The Lady Hawks also displayed team depth, with two other golfers finishing in the top five. Aubrey Baxter was fourth with a score of 116, one shot better than fifth place Addie Pardee who had a round of 117.
Bigfork had five golfers in the top 10.
St. Regis senior Macy Hill was 11th with a score of 129.
Local boys golfers included five who finished in the top 10. In addition to Connoly’s third place showing: Plains' Brandt Snead was eighth with a score of 91; Superior golfer Carter McLees was ninth with a 92, and Thompson Falls junior Cael Thilmony finished 10th, one shot back of McLees at 93.
Two other local golfers finished tied for eleventh, with Plains Jayden Weeks finishing play with a 94, a score that was matched by St. Regis junior John Pruitt.
Forty-six golfers competed in the boys competition.
Next up for area golfers is the Old Works meet this Thursday, April 27, in Anaconda. T-Falls golfers will take to the links in Whitefish, Saturday, April 29.
