Tabish rallies to win state golf tourney

Cool, clam and collected. Whitefish golfer Erin Tabish grabbed control of the Class A state tournament on Saturday and sailed to her first individual state championship.

Trailing by three strokes headed into the final day of play at Polson Bay Golf Club, the Whitefish senior known for her competitive spirit pieced together the round of her career.

Tabish putted, chipped and drove her way to a day’s best score of 82. He two-day total of 165 was six strokes better than runner-up Jaylin Kenney of Polson.

The win avenges her runner-up finish in 2012 when she lost in a playoff.

“I didn’t think it was going to fall out the way it did,” Tabish said. “Coming in to (hole) 18, it was a crazy feeling. I had butterflies. It was a good feeling to know I wasn’t going to have to go into a playoff.”

Whitefish coach Tim Olson said consistency and experience helped Tabish bring home individual honors.

“She didn’t force anything and she let it come to her,” Olson said. “She’s been there and played in final group. Her nerves were a little more calm than the rest.”

Her score helped the Lady Dogs wrap up second place overall with a 721. They finished six strokes back of the three-time team champions from Polson.

Whitefish’s score of 355 on day-two was a season-best.

“That’s all you can ask for,” Olson said. “We almost caught Polson but couldn’t quite get it done.”

Katie Fyall posted an 86 on the opening day to help her finish in sixth place overall with a 179. Simone Craft shot in the 90s both days to finish in the top-10.

The boys team also snagged second place overall with a team total of 645. Sidney won the tourney by six strokes with a 639.

Whitefish was in first after a stellar opening day of 316, led by senior Arthur Doorn who posted a 72.

Doorn entered day-two with a two-shot lead and expanded it to four on the front nine Saturday. Yet trouble with the putter forced him to battle down the stretch.

Anaconda’s Jackson Wagner, golfing in the second to last group, birdied the final two holes to finish in a tie with Doorn with one hole to play for the Bulldog senior.

On the par-3 final hole, Doorn hit to the front of the green, but three-putted for bogey, leaving himself with a 75 for the day and one stroke short of forcing a playoff.

Doorn took second place in last year’s tournament, as well.

“Art is really disappointed, but he’s such a strong kid, he’ll bounce back,” Olson said.

Doorn’s sportsmanship impressed the coach.

“He was the first one to pick his head up and go shake the Polson player’s hands,” Olson said. “He’s a true sport.”

Whitefish’s Cooper Donahue posted a great two-day score of 74-80-154 to finish in fifth place overall.

Olson commended the seniors for leading the team and helping build the future.

“The seniors pushed the younger players,” Olson said. “The tradition continues. There is some excitement in the program. We are losing some great players, but the future is bright for Bulldog golf.”

Boys team scores – 1. Sidney 320-319-639, 2. Whitefish 316-329–645, 3. Anaconda 339-327-666, 4. Billings Central 344-328-672, 5. Lewistown 348-335-683, 6. Hamilton 337-352-689, 7. Belgrade 369-347-716, 8. Libby 375-376-751.

Whitefish Boys (645) – Art Doorn 72-75-147, Cooper Donahue 74-80-154, Mitch Young 88-85-173, Joey Walp 85-89-174, Cody Olson 85-90-175.

Girls team scores – 1. Polson 356-359-715, 2. Whitefish 366-355-721, 3. Anaconda 414-400-814, 4. Havre 418-398-816, 5. Livingston 412-414-826, 6. Laurel 414-433-847, 7. Dillon 440-450-890, 8. Billings Central 490-451-941.

Whitefish Girls (721) – Erin Tabish 83-82-165, Katie Fyall 86-93-179, Simone Craft 92-96-188, Malia Morris 105-90-195, Georgia Donaldson 113-90-203.