Polson golf teams are headed to state
By Ethan Smith — Leader Staff
Good, consistent play is what got them there, but the Polson golf teams will have to step it up this week to have a shot at medaling at state.
However, the girls team has a good chance, while some strong individual performances by the boys could put them in the money, too, as the state tourney wraps up today (Thursday) in Anaconda.
Last weekend's annual Flatfish Invitational also served as the divisional championship — Friday for the girls and Saturday for the boys — and both teams came away with second place finishes, earning them a trip to Anaconda.
On Friday, Julia DiGiallonardo paced the Lady Pirates with a 94, tying three other girls for the 7-10 spots. On the boys side, Tyler Engebretson led the Pirates on Saturday with an 82.
The top 15 individuals and top three teams in the division get a trip to state, so Polson will take full squads for both teams.
For the girls, DiGiallonardo, Tali Arlint, Amy Williamson, Cali Hislop and Ashley Archer will make the trip, while Engebretson, Sean Medland, Aaron Clairmont, Joe Andrews, and Ed Truman will go for the boys.
It all started Wednesday, as a total of 10 Polson golfers took to the links to compete with the best from around the state. While five will play for each team, the top four scores count.
On Friday, the Lady Pirates finished 33 strokes behind Whitefish, at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, and the scores all around reflected a tough course.
"Weather conditions weren't a big factor. It's more that Whitefish south (course) is a really tough layout," head coach Bill Owen said.
Tali Arlint finished right behind DiGiallonardo on Friday with a 97, just missing the top 10. She was followed by Amy Williamson (105), Cali Hislop (113) and Lacey Kvam (130). All of the girls' scores were a half dozen or more strokes higher than they normally do.
On the boys side, playing at the Village Greens Golf Course that day, Engebretson and Sean Medland paced the team with 73's, to round out the final Top 10 spots that day. Ed Truman shot a 79, Aaron Clairmont shot an 84, and Joe Andrews finished with an 86.
The team's overall performance put them in second place, 14 strokes behind Whitefish for the day.
On Saturday, Engebretson again led the team, posting an 82, which combined with Friday's performance, put him ninth overall out of the huge field. Medland finished right behind him with an 86, Clairmont had an 88, Andrews had a 91 and Truman had a 98, as the overall scores reflected the tougher Whitefish course.
For the girls, secure in their state berth, the scores were much improved on Saturday, with DiGiallonardo taking third overall, shooting an 84. All of the girls improved by leaps and bounds that day, with Arlint turning in a 90 on the day, Hislop improving by seven strokes to finish with a 106, Williams dropped to an even 100, and Kvam shaved 23 strokes off Friday's performance, finishing at 107.
"I was really pleased with both teams. We were off the pace with Whitefish, but it was their home course," Owen said. "We'll have to play better at state to finish in the trophies, but we have a chance."
For the girls, Whitefish will be solid competition, as will Glendive and Miles City, while Hamilton will be a top contender on the boys side.
State competition began Wednesday and will finish up Thursday afternoon.