After finishing the first of two rounds at the state tournament tied atop the team standings with the Bulldogs, a senior-laden Hamilton team fired a combined 301 on the final day to swipe the crown away at Anaconda's Old Works Golf Course. But it wasn't easy for Broncs coach Owen Burch to stomach.
After 36 holes, Hamilton teammates Jake Wilson and Josh Grenier were deadlocked in first place. Wilson eventually won a two-hole playoff, but the Broncs' first state golf championship in 21 years took a toll on their coach.
But it looks as if the Bulldog boys are loaded once again, despite losing 2006 individual medalist and last season's fourth-place finisher Sam Krause to graduation. Whitefish features a bevy of returning golfers, including senior Daniel Markus, juniors Ryan Zalucky, Zach Maassen and Joel Mallams as well as sophomore Dylan Parr.
But the key to the future success of the program is the addition of freshman Reed Platke, who made the cut at this summer's World Junior Championships and already has a round under 70 to his credit. When a coach of 23 years like Whitefish's Terry Nelson speaks so highly of an underclassman, others take notice.
“I'm very impressed with his all-around game,” said Nelson, whose Bulldog boys' and girls' teams have racked up a combined 19 state championships. “But the strongest part of his game is probably his mental toughness. What's so amazing about him as a freshman is his ability to stay composed.”
And if that's not enough for for the Bulldogs' rivals, the Whitefish girls are looking for their third consecutive state title. Gone is Chelsea Ray, who took fourth at state in her senior season, but Nelson believes his girls aren't necessarily going to be taking a step back in 2008.
“We're probably just as good as we were last year,” he said. “We've got enough depth to make another run. We have three girls who consistently shoot in the 80s and at least another two who will be in the low 90s. And we've got some girls who are coming on like mad.”
At the top of the list is senior Quinn Micklewright, who edged Ray by two strokes last year at state for third. Nelson also had praise for sophomores Kiley McConnell and Danielle McCully, juniors Breann Cameron and Lexie Day and senior Ellen Scheffer. But the Whitefish girls' stiffest competition might just be coming from their own conference.
“I think it's going to be a battle on the girls' side,” Nelson said. “But I think the team to beat is Polson.”
Led by senior Julia DiGiallonardo and junior Natalia Arlint, the Pirates are looking to build on last year, when they garnered a third-place trophy at state. DiGiallonardo was fourth in 2006 and took seventh at last year's state tourney, and longtime Polson coach Bill Owen thinks she has what it takes to challenge for the top spot this fall.
“She's one of those good players all the way around,” Owen said. “She definitely has the potential to be right there in the hunt.”
Another advantage for Polson is the state tournament will be held at its home course - Polson Bay.
Other teams to watch on the boys' side include always strong Billings Central, Miles City and Glendive, while the girls' race could see the same three schools as well Belgrade and Livingston in the mix.
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