PIrate golfer shines all week

By Michael Cast / Leader reporter

RONAN — Racing tough competition from across the state at the Ronan Invitational, senior Polson golfer Julia Digiallonardo began a victory week. Although her team took second to Whitefish, Julia took the individual championship with a score of 79, tying her all-time tournament low.

Julia then shot a 78 to lead her team to a win at the Class A Invitational tournament at the Canyon River Golf Course of Missoula on Monday. The two victories combined with a second place showing at the Ladies' Flight division of Polson's Pine Cone Classic make for one outstanding week of golf.

Julia's game is characterized by long drives which land on the fairway and secondary shots which put her on the green. A master of the basics, Julia is one young athlete who is improving every day. Julia says the tournament in Ronan was no fluke. "That's about what I've been shooting this summer and my putting was good," she said.

Polson golf coach Bill Owen has focused on the short game a lot with his high school team. He said, "They are young players. They always need to improve on all phases of the game, especially their short game-chipping and putting."

Julia has taken that sort of advice to heart. She has also been tough on the mental end. "I kept it together," she said, "and focused on the positive, picturing what I wanted to do before I did it."

And sharing something in common with every other golfer on the course she added, "nice weather helped!"

Polson High running back Tim Rausch played golf against Julia once. He said, "She's so good I just about quit."

Julia has ambitions to go to the top this year, declaring, "I think I have a good chance to win state," noting also that, "it helps that it's on our home course."

Coach Owen mentioned that he has had many inquiries from college golf programs on her behalf. Julia said that she would like to play college golf, possibly in Colorado, but knows that there is a lot still to learn. "I have a lot of work to do," she said.

Coach Owen was also impressed with his number two golfer, Freshman Cody Fischer, who finished with an 82 in Ronan. "To have a freshman do that well in a big tournament is impressive," said Owen.

Cody said, "It felt good, it was really cool to play in a big tournament and do well in it."

Polson's number one golfer, senior Tyler Engbretson, struggled a bit in Ronan but rebounded to win with a 77 at the Class A Invitational.