Laurel sweeps state golf titles at Polson Bay

The Laurel Locomotives stole the show last weekend at Polson Bay Golf Course, but Polson golfers held their own on their home turf and have plotted a promising course for the future.

Laurel freshman Cameron Hackmann shot a 67 Saturday to claim the boys medalist honors by seven strokes over Billy Smith of Whitefish. Hackmann’s huge day lifted the Locomotives to a nine-stroke win over Whitefish for the boys team title. The Pirates were third, 11 strokes behind the Bulldogs, and earned their first trophy since taking second (to Laurel) in 2017.

Not to be outdone, Laurel’s girls also swept the team and individual crowns, with Hannah Adams claiming first by five strokes (146 to 151) over defending champion Macee Greenwood of Corvallis.

Laurel’s girls earned their fourth consecutive state title (and fifth overall) by 109 strokes over Hamilton, 653 to 762. Livingston was next at 770. Polson’s girls were fourth at 784.

The Pirates’ Carson Hupka finished sixth with back-to-back 75s, and Polson had four boys finish in the top 15. Along with Hupka, Christian Lund tied for 10th at 155, while Hunter Emerson and Torrin Ellis tied for 13th at 156. Espn Fisher tied for 30th at 171.

Ronan sent three boys to the tournament, and all three — Dillon Pretty On Top, Ruben Couture and Nash Niemeyer — finished tied for 43rd at 182.

Ashley Maki of Polson was the top finisher among Lake County girls. Maki had a two-day total of 166 for a sixth-place finish.

Both of Ronan’s female golfers placed in the top 25, with Alyssa Pretty On Top finishing 18th at 189 and Kylee Niemeyer 22nd at 207.

Kila Cannon (198, 24th), Clare Konen (209, 35th) and Kylee Siefert (211, 38th) rounded out the Polson girls squad.

This year’s Pirates varsity squad is made up of eight sophomores and a freshman (Cannon), so even better times may be on the horizon.

“I was really proud of Ashley Maki,” Polson coach Cameron Melton said. “She shot her two best rounds (79-79) of the year to get top six. And the boys played fantastic — to have four boys get all-state as sophomores, and one girl — it was a very very good couple of days.”

2021 Class A State Tournament

Oct. 1-2, Polson Bay Golf Course

Boys team scores: 1, Laurel 301-296-597; 2, Whitefish 297-309-606; 3, Polson 306-311-617; 4, Livingston 316-319-635; 5, Hamilton 325-330-655; 6, Billings Central 343-314-657; 7, Fergus 348-363-711; 8, Corvallis 363-350-713; fewer than 4 golfers: Ronan, East Helena, Dillon, Havre, Glendive, Miles City, Sidney, Libby, Frenchtown.

Boys Top 15: 1, Cameron Hackmann (Lau) 71-67-138; 2, Billy Smith (Wf) 72-73-145; 3, Eli Weisenberger (Lau) 74-72-146; 4, Aubrey Kelley (Liv) 72-75-147; 5, Danyk Jacobsen (Liv) 74-75-149; 6, Carson Hupka (Pol) 150; t7, Sam Norman (Lau) 75-76-151; t7, Max Cianflone (Ham) 76-75-151; 9, Johnny Nix (Wf) 73-79-152; t10, Christian Lund (Pol) 155; t10, Marcus Kilman (Wf) 74-81-155; t10, Conor Walsh (BiC) 78-77-155; t13, Hunter Emerson (Pol) 156; t13, Reese Jensen (BiC) 81-75-156; t13, Torrin Ellis (Pol) 156.

Local boys: POLSON – 6, Carson Hupka 75-75-150; t10, Christian Lund 75-80-155; t13, Hunter Emerson 77-79-156; t13, Torrin Ellis 79-77-156; t30, Espn Fisher 85-86-171; RONAN – t43, Dillon Pretty On Top 89-93-182; t43, Ruben Couture 92-90-182; t43, Nash Niemeyer 92-90-182.

Girls team scores: 1, Laurel 326-327-653; 2, Hamilton 383-379-762; 3, Park 386-384-770; 4, Polson 388-396-784; 5, Corvallis 397-391-788; 6, Whitefish 390-399-789; 7, Miles City 402-400-802; 8, Billings Central 443-441-884; fewer than 4 golfers: Frenchtown, Ronan, Havre, Lockwood, Browning, Columbia Falls, Sidney, Lewiston, Glendive, Hardin.

Girls Top 15: 1, Hannah Adams (Lau) 74-72-146; 2, Macee Greenwood (Cor) 74-77-151; 3, Katie Lewis (Fr) 76-81-157; 4, Haylee Adams (Lau) 79-79-158; 5, Breana Jensen (Lau) 83-80-163; 6, Ashley Maki (Pol) 166; 7, Karly Volk (Sid) 84-85-169; 8, Aly Rose (Ham) 86-85-171; 9, Reagan LaPante (MC) 89-84-173; 10, Karsyn Swigart (MC) 88-89-177; 11, Anyah Cripe (Wf) 87-91-178; 12, Anna Prill (BiC) 90-92-182; 13, Kiaralynn Weidinger (Loc) 90-93-183; t14, Macy Whisenand Whitefish 88- 98- 186; t14, Molly Cooney (Lau) 90-96-186; t14, Brooklyn Brown (Ham) 91-95-186.

Local girls: POLSON – 6, Ashley Maki 83-83-166; 24, Kila Cannon 102-96-198; 35, Clare Konen 107-102-209; t38, Kylee Siefert 96-115-211; RONAN – 18, Alyssa Pretty On Top 92-97-189; 22, Kylee Niemeyer 102-95-207.