Prep golfers compete at Florence-Darby Invitational

Despite rain and the threat thereof, there was action on the links Thursday for Plains and Thompson Falls high school golfers.

Both Sanders County teams were part of the Florence-Darby Invitational tournament hosted by the Hamilton Golf Club.

The T-Falls boys were the only contingent from either school with enough players to be involved in team scoring, finishing tenth out of the 11 area schools entered in the event.

Blue Hawks golfer Theo Nygaard made the most of the at least partial break in the rain that fell steadily last week throughout the area, shooting an 87 over the 18-hole course. Nygaard’s round, which included eight pars, was good for seventh place overall in the boys individual standings.

“Theo adjusted very well to the larger and faster greens than his home course,” T Falls head coach Doree Thilmony noted. “He got into a groove and parred five consecutive holes and racked up three more on the front nine”.

A total of 102 boys and girls golfers took part in the event.

Jefferson High (Boulder) won the boys team competition while Loyola finished second and Anaconda was third.

In the girls competition, T Falls had only two competitors, Solveig Nygaard and freshman Aubrey Baxter. To have qualified for the team competition title, schools had to have four golfers score points. Florence-Carlton won the girls team competition, with Loyola second and Three Forks third.

None-the-less, Nygaard, like her brother, placed seventh with an 18-hole total of 103, while Baxter, who was a state competitor last year for the Lady Hawks, finished tenth with a score of 112.

“I was very impressed with her first competition,” coach Thilmony said of Solveig’s effort. “She was very steady and finished with two pars on the day. Aubrey also adjusted to the greens, tallying only 37 putts on the day. She also racked up a par on hole 18 as well”.

Plains also had entrants in the event, including seniors Drew Carey and Brandt Snead in the boys competition, and Eleanor Bebb, sophomore golfer for Plains girls’ team.

Plains coach Lisa Jones said although none of her players scored in the top 10, it was a good opportunity for those who competed to work on game management.

“They all did a good job of managing their games,” Brown said. “We should have everyone ready to go for our tournament (at Wild Horse Plains Golf Course) this Friday”.

Thompson Falls coach Thilmony was also pleased with the play of her golfers and happy to get in a good round of golf.

“The weather held out until about four holes left,” Thilmony said. “And our kids were glad they brought their umbrellas”.

In addition to Theo Nygaard’s 87, senior Cael Thilmony finished with a 99, despite one out of bounds penalty and difficulty with a sand trap along the way.

“Cael worked hard for a couple of pars on the day, however the greens had him second guess himself and he got into a little trouble with the penalty and a not so fun time in the sand”.

Braxton Dorscher also scored for the Blue Hawks, carding a 126 total on what was his first 18-hole tournament.

“Braxton found nine fairways, which is always a good thing,” coach Thilmony said. “I am proud of his discipline and desire to improve. He is very coachable and I look for his scores to drop throughout the season”.

Also contributing for the Blue Hawks was freshman Chase Helvey, who recorded a score of 133.

“This is Chase’s first year out for golf,” Thilmony said.. “A few holes challenged him, however he still managed to find two holes to par on the course. He has been putting in a lot of time and it will pay off. I see his scores dropping very quickly as he is learning at a fast rate”.

Both Plains and T Falls are scheduled to take part in the Plains Invitational this Friday. Opening tee is slated for 11 a.m.

    Thompson Falls freshman Aubrey Baxter puts toward the flag during the Florence-Darby Invitational tournament in Hamilton. (Photo courtesy of Doree Thilmony)