Tigers golf squad returns strong core

They had a good run in the post-season last year, led by one of the best golfers in school history.

Unfortunately, that golfer, now graduated Jack Connolly, is no longer a member of the St. Regis boys golf team, having completed his high school career and moved on. 

But a strong core of returnees has Tigers head coach Dan Park optimistic this year’s team will also be in the running for post-season honors. 

Connolly placed tenth at last year's state tournament in as the boys placed sixth in the Class C team title chase. Connolly fired a two-day championship rounds score of 171 (87 and 84) as part of St. Regis’ 550 team total. Scobey won the state C championship with a score of 509. The boys were second in the western division last year. 

Back for another go at it is a quartet of solid golfers, including seniors Kaleb Park, Dillon Thomas and Kaden Sanders, along with junior Denver Thomas.  Those four played key roles in the St. Regis basketball team’s 19-5 season this past year. 

The girls' team, which did not qualify for post-season play, is also buoyed by some promising players including senior Averie Burnham, junior Shelby Simkins and freshman Khila Teeters. 

“Hopefully consistency and competitive nature will be strengths for the boys,” coach Park said. “The girls are just beginning and have been showing improvement daily. In golf perfection is not an option so you strive to improve on everything.”

In addition to hoping they continue to improve, Park said he wants the players to enjoy what could be a life-long game for them. 

“My goal is to make them as competitive as they can be, while enjoying the game of golf for the rest of their lives,” he said. 

St. Regis is scheduled to open their season today (Tuesday, April 1) against Darby and Florence in Hamilton.  Their next tourney after that will be the Plains Invitational Friday, April 11.