Local golfers qualify for state tournament

For at least eight local high school golfers, the dream is a reality.

In this case, the dream for each of the players from Sanders and Mineral counties is a trip to one of the two state championships this week and next. 

Class B golfers from Thompson Falls and Superior, and a trio of golfers from Class C St. Regis will be taking part in the championship rounds, with the B tournament in Shelby today and tomorrow (May 13-14) and the C tourney next Tuesday and Wednesday (May 20-21) in Sidney. 

Thompson Falls and St. Regis qualified three golfers each, along with one golfer from Superior. 

Thompson Falls and Superior finished in the top 10 among the local schools qualified for the team championship quest. 

To be eligible for the state finals, golfers from Class B schools who finished in the top 15 at their Divisional round, while the top 20 from Class C division play advance. 

Thompson Falls had two golfers in the top 10 during their divisional tourney this past week in Eureka, led by Sophie Chou, who carded a 99 (+28) on the par 71 18-hole course at Indian Springs golf course.  Chou tied for seventh with Florence-Carlton's Reese Briney. 

Standout golfer Elise Munding, from Loyola, won the individual crown with a score of 80, while Anaconda’s Logan McKay finished second, four strokes back. 

Joining Chou from T Falls was Solveig Nygaard, who placed tenth with a score of 101. 

Plains golfers Cheyenne Little Whirlwind (121) and Eleanor Bebb (133, tied for 37th) also took part but did not advance to state. 

Tops among local boys was Superior junior Phin Cataldo, who shot an 87 and finished tied for thirteenth among the Class B boys, earning him a trip to Shelby. 

Jefferson’s Ben Werner fired an even par 71 to win the boys’ individual crown, while teammate Tyson Lee was just one stroke back at 72.  The pair helped Jefferson to a 23-stroke win in the team title chase, with a combined 317.  Second place went to Loyola’s boys, who recorded a 340.  Thompson Falls’ boys. 

T Falls’ boys were seventh with a score of 388, while Superior finished ninth (425). 

Also advancing to the state final for Thompson Falls was senior Blake Shusterman, who was tied for fifteenth with an 88.  Blue Hawks teammates Tristan Kelly was 25th (94), Will Grenda (95, tied for 27th), Jack Kull was 45th, (111) and Nathan Baxter (121) placed 54th.  

Plains golfer Jarett Weeks (91) came in tied for 21st. 

Superior boys who took part in the divisional tourney included Brydon Drey (103), Neil Orr (117) and Henry Hanson (118). 

At the Class C divisional meet in Bozeman this past week, St. Regis’ Denver Thomas was the top local golfer at the Cottonwood Hills golf course with an 86, good for ninth place and a trip to Sidney.  Teammate Kaleb Park was fifteenth to also advance to the state finals. 

Other St. Regis boys who took part in the Divisional tourney were Dillon Thomas (107, 31st) and Kaden Sanders (40th, 117). 

The Lady Tigers got a tenth-place finish from freshman Khila Teeters, who fired a 102 over the 18-hole course. Lady Tigers teammate Averie Burnham was tied for 17th (114) and Jacey Pruitt was 37th with a 130. 

A total of 48 girls participated in the tourney.   

Monday is a day of practice rounds for both golf tourneys, giving the golfers a chance to adjust to the two finals’ courses. 

Thompson Falls coach Doree Thilmony was upbeat about her team's performance in Eureka. 

“It went great,” she said. “The boys team made a push for the top six (teams) but fell short, ending up seventh. Most golfers finished with a personal best or close to it.  And it was beautiful weather”. 

    Thompson Falls golfer Solveig Nygaard watches a short put roll toward the cup during the Class B Divisional golf tourney this past week in Eureka.  Solveig qualified for this week's State championships in Shelby.  (Photo by Doree Thilmony)