Golf team third at state, Potkonjak ties for second
Bigfork junior Joseph Potkonjak made a hard push at the top of the leaderboard but couldn’t quite erase the 8-stroke lead of Manhattan’s Joey Peter. Potkonjack finished in a tie for second place at the Class B state golf tournament at EagleRock Golf Course last Wednesday.
Potkonjak shot 1-over-par 73 in the second round, the second-lowest score of the day.
The strong round allowed him to get closer to Peter, who was five strokes ahead of the field after the opening day. Peter shot 77 in the second round, but was able to maintain enough of a lead for a comfortable four-stroke victory.
Potkonjak tied for second with Missoula Loyola’s Tommy Tirrell and lifted the Vikings to a third place team finish.
“They had a good tournament,” head coach Steve Hullett said. “I was happy to see Joseph get second.”
Potkonjak also tied for second at the Divisional meet.
None of the other Bigfork boys were able to reach the top 15 at state. Colton Stodghill shot a two-round 167, Ryder Trent 168, Jonathan Landon 177 and Augie Emslie 195.
“It was a successful year,” Hullett said. “You can’t ever complain about bringing home a state trophy.”
Hullett is already looking toward next year. The Vikings will only lose one senior, Ryder Trent.
“Ryder Trent finally bloomed,” Hullett said. “Next year we’ll just reboot, and try to get the big one next year.”
None of the girls made it to state for golf. The Valkyries will lose Kallister Meagher to graduation.
State B Golf Tournament
BOYS
At EagleRock Golf Course, Billings
Team Totals
1, Thompson Falls 326-315—641; 2, Manhattan 317-332—649; T3, Townsend 336-325—661; T3, Bigfork 338-323—661; 5, Conrad 328-337—665; 6, Shelby 328-340—668; 7, Colstrip 335-342—677; 8, Columbus 358-357—715; 9, Malta 361-365—726; 10, Huntley Project 362-368—730; 11, Shepherd 392-361—753; 12, Choteau 386-368—754.
Top 15 Individuals
Joey Peter, Manhattan, 68-77—145; Joseph Potkonjak, Bigfork, 76-73—149; Tommy Tirrell, Missoula Loyola, 74-75—149; Caleb Bates, Thompson Falls, 79-71—150; Bryce Mocabee, Huntley Project, 73-78—151; Dalton Hooton, Thompson Falls, 73-78—151; Keagan Lindsoe, Three Forks, 77-74—151; Lane Bradley, Colstrip, 79-74—153; Colton Hudson, Huntley Project, 80-73—153; Danny Friez, Forsyth, 82-73—155; Jaden Graveley, Townsend, 79-76—155; Derek Walker, Deer Lodge, 76-80—156; KC Smith, Deer Lodge, 82-75—157; Josh Neth, Manhattan, 77-80—157; Billy Miller, Big Timber, 78-80—158, Ryland Stampfel 80, Columbus, 80-78—158.
Bigfork — Joseph Potkonjak 76-73—149, Colton Stodghill 82-85—167, Ryder Trent 88-80—168, Jonathan Landon 92-85—177, Augie Emslie 96-99—195.