Boys take second, girls third in state golf

Whitefish’s golf teams capped their seasons with impressive scores at the Class A state golf tournament last week at Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda. Overcoming swirling winds on a tough course, the boys took second place overall and the girls took third.

“We really exceeded expectations going in,” Whitefish coach Tim Olson said. “To bring home two trophies is a great accomplishment for the kids.

Belgrade won the boys team title with a 647 score, 11 strokes better than Whitefish.

The Bulldogs were led by a second-place individual performance from Arthur Doorn. The junior finished with a two-day score of 155 (75-80) to finish just one stroke back of winner Bobby Frank of Sidney.

“Arthur is as competitive of a person as I’ve coached,” Olson said. “He was down there to win the individual title and the team title. Finishing in second place didn’t settle well with him, and he’s going to work his tail off for next season. But I couldn’t be more proud of him this year. He’s really taken his game to the next level.”

Senior Kyle Barron was in the mix with a two-day score of 162. Barron finished with All-State honors.

“Kyle had a fantastic season,” Olson said. “Very consistent, we could always rely on his scores. He’s had a great career here.”

The Lady Bulldogs took third place as a team, behind two-time champion Polson and second place Laurel. The girls were forced to play without their No. 2 golfer when Katie Fyall hurt her back.

“They stepped up and played their best golf of the year,” Olson said.

Junior Erin Tabish led the team with a two-day score of 165 (84-81) and just missed an individual title after losing the second hole of a playoff to Park High’s Christal Tokash.

Olson commended Tabish for her day-two 81 to put herself in a position to win it all.

Simone Craft was in the top-15 with a 97-102 for a 199 total.

“As a first year as coach, team chemistry at the end of the season was unbelievable,” Olson said. “We were very inexperienced going in and kids worked hard and it paid off.”

With only one senior graduating from both teams, the future looks bright for Whitefish golf.

Boys team scores: Belgrade 322-325–647, Whitefish 323-335–658, Miles City 333-343–676, Sidney 339-350–689, Anaconda 349-342–691, Hamilton 341-350–691, Havre 366-371–737, Frenchtown 365-390–755.

WHITEFISH (323-335–658) – Art Doorn 75-80–155, Kyle Barron 80-82–162, Cooper Donahue 83-86–169, Cooper Olson 85-87–172, Cody Olson 97-96–193.

Girls team scores: Polson 356-366–722, Laurel 384-395–779, Whitefish 396-390–786, Livingston 409-407–816, Anaconda 411-412–823, Lewistown 421-423–844, Dillon 437-457–894, Glendive 487-509–996.

WHITEFISH (396-390–786) – Erin Tabish 84-81–165, Simone Craft 97-102–199, Malia Morris 103-107–210, Lauren Cogdill 112-100–212, Georgia Donaldson 121-110–231.