Pirates, Lady Pirates get ready for Divisionals in Libby
All season Polson High School golfers Matt Hobbs and Trey Kelley have continued to battle for supremacy at each event trying to out shoot each other for Polson’s lowest score.
Though Pirates’ coach Bill Owen has declared golfer Matt Hobbs the team’s No. 1 player, he can’t deny the two have flip-flopped with each other at each tournament trying to possess the team’s top score.
Kelley finished fourth firing a 76 and 79 Wednesday afternoon at the Buffalo Hills Golf Course in Kalispell. Hobbs, who was battling allergies, shot an 82 and 83 for the team’s second-lowest team score in the two-day event.
As Polson prepares for their divisional round with Libby Saturday at Cabinet View Golf Course, Owen expressed his confidence in his team’s ability.
Hobbs rebounded from his performance at Kalispell by firing a 74 Saturday at Hamilton High School. Kelley also finished Hamilton, which is the home of the MHSA Class A state golf tournament, by firing a 79.
Other players including Calvin Nowlen and Jeff Devlin finished the event, both shooting a 94. Owen said he felt his team could significantly improve.
“We are right on the threshold of breaking into the 80s and I am hoping he is there next week,” Owen said. “The nice thing about divisionals in Libby is that we got to play it last week. We have a little edge on some of the other teams that haven’t seen it in the Libby Tournament.”
Owen stated he felt there will be a real battle between Stevi, Polson and Hamilton for the divisional crown.
Headed into Libby, Owen is excited as he knows anything can and will happen in the sport of golf.
Polson High School girl’s No. 1 golfer Cali Cannon remained consistent in her last two outings and Owen hopes that trend continues as the Lady Pirates prepare to enter the divisional tournament Saturday at Cabinet View Golf Course in Libby.
Cannon finished the Wednesday and Thursday event in Kalispell, shooting a 94 and 91, respectively. Cannon’s performance catapulted her team into a third-place finish.
“I am just hoping that Cali can start breaking into the 80s and I think the girls of Corvallis are big contenders for a state title,” Owen said of his outlook as his team prepares to head into divisionals. “Cali is knocking on the door of breaking into the 80s and I am really excited.”
She had some help. Amanda Farley shot a 106 and 100 and the Lady Pirates’ No. 3 golfer Esme Yarbrough shot a 96 and 98.
The Lady Pirates also have two developing golfers that have showcased a significant amount of promise in Ellie Thiel and Katelyne Druyvestein.
Cannon led the team in Hamilton on Saturday firing a 94. Amanda Farley, who shot a 99, followed. Esme Yarbough shot a 110, Ellie Thiel shot a 115 and Katelyne Druyvestein finished the tournament with a 101.
Divisionals will begin Saturday in Libby.