Pirates golfers aim for another state bid in 2017 season

When Polson High School golf coach Bill Owen glanced at his preliminary boys’ roster, he said he couldn’t help but have a sense of preseason optimism.

The Pirates, who are coming off a second place 2016 finish at state, will return three state medalists from last season’s squad. Polson will return their one through three players including: Carson McDaniel, Matt Hobbs, and Trey Kelley.

Last year, the Pirates golf team’s quest for a state title came up only 14 strokes short against Hamilton Friday and Saturday at the Hamilton Golf Club.

The Broncs, aided by the home course advantage, fired a two-day score of 637 was enough to capture the Montana State golf championship. Despite a second day surge, the Pirates boys couldn’t make up the first day difference firing a 651 and placing second overall in the state tournament.

This year, the Pirates have several returners from last year’s team and the battle for supremacy amongst each other will be fierce. Especially in the top-3 golf spots, Owen said.

Polson’s top-three golfers will battle for position with each other, according to Owen. Because of Kelley and Hobbs improving over the summer, Kelley anticipates his three top golfers will have a fierce competition on the greens.

“(Kelley) has made substantial improvement, has been very active, and he has become more consistent,” Owen said.

Last season, McDaniel finished third-overall at state, but Owen anticipates he will have added competition with Libby making the jump from Class B to Class A. McDaniel will be challenged at the top tier by Logger golfer Ryggs Johnston. Last season, Johnston captured the Class B state golf title and the now junior will look to add a Class A title to his growing list of accolades.

“(Carson) is going to have to shoot a heck of a round and play very well (against Johnston),” Owen said. “He’s going to have to really bring his game against Johnston.”

With the Pirates experiencing significant improvement with their one-through-three golfers, they will get a lot of support from Trey Kelley, Owen said. Last year, Kelley, medalist in the Class A state golf tournament, finished 12th overall.

“I look for Trey to keep getting better and he works really hard at his game,” Owen said. “I am really excited to see what the three (of the top golfers) can do.”

Kelley worked on his game by signing up for the Missoula League.

“The top three golfers were playing Missoula competition,” Kelley said. “McDaniel and Hobbs were pretty close and I heard those two were nipping each other. I look for Trey to keep getting better as he continues to work hard at his game. I am really excited to see what these three do.”

“Matt Hobbs, who finished 10th last season, has made “substantial improvement,” Owen said. “All three of these competitors could knock off each other as the season progresses tournament to tournament.”

The remaining golfers will continue to battle for the No. 4 and No 5 position on the team, a luxury Owen is happy to have as the Pirates and Lady Pirates begin their season on Aug. 14 at the Highland Invitational in Butte.

“It is nice to have five golfers that help you out,” Owen said. “Our golf team has five state titles and all of them it seemed like everyone helped us at state that could be because we have four scores. It’s nice to have five that can contribute when you get to state.”

Despite realignment of the classes changing the dynamics, Owen is optimistic his team will be in the mix at the end of the season for some hardware.

Owen mentioned one team in particular that will make the successful transition from Class B to Class A is one of Polson’s old rivals: Libby.

With their No. 1 golfer returning and several other returners making it competitive amongst each other. The Loggers will have one of the top golfers in the state: Ryggs Johnston.

With Johnston’s golf abilities he will be considered one of the favorites headed into the Class A golf season, according to Owen.

Owen said he also aware the competitive dynamics will change with various teams that will now enter Class A. Despite these changes, Owen said he is “optimistic” his team will maintain the competitive edge and excellance that has become a staple with Pirates, Lady Pirates golf over the years.

In the last five years the Pirates have boosted of several medalist, state touranment bids and state titles.

“I think we are going to have a pretty good team as far as placing high in the state,” Owen said.