Polson girls battle weather, take third at state

Jenna Cederberg, Leader staff

POLSON - It didn't snow on the 144 Class A golfers who trekked to Polson for the State tournament this past weekend, but Mother Nature handed them just about every other element to battle. Friday greeted the Class A golfers with overcast, gray and dingy skies threatening to spit rain, and a nasty wind that was blowing directly into tee No. 10 at the Polson Bay Golf Club where the boys were taking their first shots of the tournament.

"The biggest factor is the wind factor. It was remarkable that there was still some low scoring," Polson head coach Bill Owen said. "My players were great, I didn't hear any of them make any excuse as far as weather. I think we might have had the nicest place in the state."

Polson golfers posted strong individual scores on their home course, with seniors Julia DiGiallonardo tying for second and Tyler Engebretson taking ninth. The girls team finished third overall.

While the Class AA golf tournament in Helena was postponed due to the winter snow that bombed most of the southwestern region, DiGiallonardo prepared to tee off as the Pirate's No. 1 golfer. She most successful team member of the season, in no less chilling conditions and against some of the new opponents from the eastern side of the state who had equalled her successes throughout the season.

DiGiallonardo started the tournament slow, ending with a first-day, higher-than-average score of 86 that tied her for fourth. Her second-day score of 83 was stronger, and enough to tie her for second overall (169). Three other players ended the tournament with a 169. Her high finish helped the team (732) to a third place finish overall. Owen said the finish - while an accomplishment any team should be proud of against such stiff competition - didn't show the best his team could offer.

"You know what, they're excited, but we had third place last year too," he said. "It could have gone better and they know that. A lot of things can happen in golf and all the right things didn't happen."

The rest of the Pirates pulled strong individual scores.

Junior Natalia Arlint also finished in the top 15, coming in at No. 13 (No. 9 with ties) with a 183.

"The thing I liked about (Arlint) is that she brought her score down. She had a good day one (93)," Owen said. "Cali Hilslop really stepped up for us. Her two games in those conditions were better than her season average. All the girls performed well to help us secure third."

Hislop shot a 95 on day one and a 97 on day two.

Katelyn Frank of Sidney won the girls' top medal with a 160.

Engebretson made his start from No 10. with his hat pulled down low, and went on to shoot a steady 82 on the first day. He was tied for sixth after several mishaps and some out-of-bounds shots throughout the tournament.

"In the conditions, that was pretty good golf. He did play better through the season," head coach Bill Owen said. "Sometimes the golf gods are with you and sometimes they're not."

The second 18 on Saturday were frustrating for Engebretson, who ended up finishing 12th after shooting a 166 overall. Engebretson, who shot an average of 79 throughout the season, was the only Pirate to finish in the top 15. The team finished ninth overall.

"I liked his attitude about staying in there and going at it … He was willing to maximize his game and go at it. He was just a great leader for me all season," Owen said.

Engebretson was the only senior among the five students who competed at the tournament. Owen said Engebretson's willingness to help his younger teammates - one freshman and three sophomores - grow, will leave the most important legacy.

"He's the best leader I've had in the program," Owen said. "We have 17 kids out for golf. Tyler was actually another instructor for me. He was putting them into their games as well."

The boys are going to be eager to do better next year after getting to watch Engebretson succeed, Owen said.

With several returning players to work with, the Pirates will bring back the majority if its team, which Owen is hoping will get to work this summer so they can follow in Engebretson's footsteps.

"I think they're ready to do it," Owen said.

Billings Central's Preston Matchett (151) took first on the boys' side. Reed Platke (152) of Whitefish finished second, leading his team to a first place finish.

Ronan golf

Ronan senior golfers Nolan Harris, Erin Irvine and Jordan Strozzi placed in the middle of the pack at the tournament. The team felt the sting of the elements and, like many of the tournament's golfers, did not shoot their best games.

"The score were on the high side, but is was so cold, I don't think anybody got comfortable," head coach Rupe Poulson said.

Harris finished with a 180, while Irvine shot a 219 and Strozzi shot a 203.

"They got the experience of doing it and they made state their senior year," Poulson said. "I'm going to miss them."