Bulldog golfers looking good for state

To say Tyler Holtet had a good week would be a gross understatement. Tyler, a junior, won three tournaments in one week, shooting a 64, 70, 70 and 77, and he was five under par for his last four rounds.

"Tyler's 64, or six-under par, is a Whitefish High School team best-ever score," Bulldog golf coach Terry Nelson said. "Last year, Derek Denning and Spencer Hughes both shot 66 on the same day on our South Course."

Sam Krause fired a one-under 69 at Village Greens, while teammates Derek Denning, Chris Conners and Matt Krause all finished with 73s for a team total of 279.

Zac Wooten continued his good play with a 71 at Village Greens on Friday. Andre Groschupf posted 74, for his lowest tournament score to date. Holtet joined the rest of team in the 60s club with his 64.

Sam Krause has broken 70 twice, while Matt Krause and Denning both were at 68 and 69 at Missoula. Conners has twice been under par this year.

The boys' two-day total of 589 was enough to win the Flathead Invitational by more than 40 shots to nearest competitor Flathead High. The second day of play at Buffalo Hills proved to be more of challenge, with rain and wind creating tough playing conditions.

Derek Denning led the team on day two with a 76, which included a triple bogie on the par-five 11th hole at Buffalo Hills. The boys swept the leader board with Holtet first, Sam Krause second, Derek Denning third, Chris Conners fifth, Matt Krause sixth and Zac Wooten seventh in a field of more than 50 players.

At the Western A Divisional on Thursday, the boys shot a 295 to beat runnerup Polson by 30 shots. Holtet won the divisional with a solid round of two-under-par 70. Matt Krause captured third place, with brother Sam at fifth and Conners taking home seventh.

Holtet, the Krause boys and Conners win All-Conference honors for finishing in the top 10 at divisional. Two-time defending champion Denning finished just out of the top 10 this year.

For the girls, Maresa Jenson captured her fourth medallist honors of the year at the Flathead Invitational with rounds of 85, 82 over Buffalo Hills and Big Mountain Club courses respectively. Maresa also won in Great Falls, Helena, Flathead and Libby.

Chelsea Ray took home second place with rounds of 85, 85, while fellow Lady Bulldog golfer Alex Micklewright was third with 83, 88 over the two days. Quinn Micklewright finished in the top 10, with solid rounds of 94, 96. Porsche Erekson contributed with 103, 102 for the Flathead Invitational.

The girl's varsity team won by a landslide of nearly 100 shots over second-place CMR, of Great Falls.

Freshman Nicole Schelling had a breakout tournament, shooting 93, 108 for her career best. Hillary Johann finished with a 98 at Big Mountain Club. Taneda Anderson recorded a two-day total of 230, which included a 110 at Big Mountain Club.

Ellen Scheffer had personal-best tournament score of 112 at Big Mountain Club, while teammate Ashley Archer recorded a 112 at Buffalo Hills on Friday.

"These young girls have all made fantastic improvement this year," Nelson said.

This Thursday and Friday, the teams will play for the State Class A title at Whitefish Lake Golf Course. Both teams go into the tournament with high expectations and a positive attitude.

"The boys' and girls' depth should serve them well at the state tournament," Nelson said. "You win state championships with your four and five players, and we are good from top to bottom".

The Whitefish boys have taken turns playing number one this season, with all of them winning or tying for medallist honors at one time or another. Maresa, Alex and Chelsea have all led or won tournament this year as well.

"While Polson's girls are a formidable opponent, but home-course advantage should give the Lady Bulldogs the edge," Nelson said. "Polson's four and five girls played career rounds at divisional, and that is really hard to repeat if you're out of your comfort zone. The South Course has a tendency to eat your lunch if you stumble just a little. Experience on the South should be a big advantage."