Lake County golfers ready for divisionals

LAKE COUNTY — Golf is normally a leisurely sport, but things are starting to ratchet up for the Ronan and Polson high school teams. Divisionals in Ronan on Saturday are looming ahead for many area golfers, some who could make big splashes in the conference.

“It’s both [fun and has pressure], the pressure is when you get the guy following you in the cart keeping your score,” Ronan junior Riley Dennis said.

Dennis must not have felt pressure when the Ronan boys’ team posted an impressive first place finish at the Frenchtown Invitational on Monday.

The Chiefs had four golfers below 90. Dennis posted a 75 for first, the best performance by any Ronan golfer this season.

“That would definitely get us to state,” Ronan head coach Rupe Paulson said of his boys’ team score. “It’s fun when the kids’ hard work pays off.”

The girls’ team took third, led by senior Alex Dulmes who was second with a 93.

“I’m so happy with my scores,” Dulmes said. “I’m really happy with the 90s.”

The Polson girls posted an impressive performance at the Libby Invitational on Saturday, placing first as three Polson golfers placed in the top ten.

Ronan’s  Dulmes placed second in the event with a 97, and the Maidens placed third. For the Polson boys, they placed third as sophomore Cody Fischer scored a 78.

“If he can shoot that well on the Libby course, he should be able to do well in divisionals,” Polson head coach Bill Owens said.

Senior Amy Williamson continued to be a strong force for the Lady Pirates, taking fifth in Libby and fourth in Hamilton.

“If you have a bad shot, you just have to move on,” Williamson said.

She hasn’t had many, as she has placed as Polson’s top female golfer numerous times this season.

“She’s definitely my most consistent player,” Owens said.

At the Hamilton Invitational on Sept. 14, the Polson girls and boys teams both took second. Sophomore Hayden Congdon led the boys with an 82 to take eighth. Williamson scored a 91 to place fourth.

“I think all of them are having a pretty good showing,” Owens said.

Strong performances at divisionals will lead to an appearance in state and that’s something these golfers have experience with.

“There were times at state I was mad at myself,” Congdon said.

A tough, unfamiliar course and the state’s best golfers usually greet the qualifiers.

“You literally leave state crying,” Williamson said.

While the familiar courses usually favor the home teams, the Mission Mountain Golf Course in Ronan might be doing some maintenance, meaning that the teams may only play nine holes, which would erase the margin for error.

“It’s difficult for us with nine holes and it’s difficult for everybody,” Paulson said.

Golf divisionals will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Mission Mountain Golf Course in Ronan.

For full results from previous golf meets, check out www.leaderadvertiser.com.