Lady Pirate golfers state champs

HAMILTON – The Polson Lady Pirates girls golf program added another team title to its already overflowing 2022 season trophy case.

The Lady Pirates used dominating team golf at Hamilton Golf Club to seize the Class A state team championship, the fifth state title in school history and first since 2013, thanks to a two-day score of 753. The Lady Pirates in Friday’s opening round collectively carded a 379, then shot a 374 on Saturday to finish ahead of state runner-up Hamilton (773) and third place Frenchtown (788).

"They've had a great year and to win by 20 is pretty spectacular,” said Polson head coach Cameron Milton. “We set out this season to compete for a state championship and to prepare throughout the regular season with that one goal in mind.”

Team first was the mantra for the Lady Pirates this season, who had just four golfers and no seniors in their varsity lineup.

“I believe the girls only lost two regular season events,” explained Milton. “To not have a full team and consistently show up for each other is really incredible. Very rarely in golf do you get to compete as a team. Knowing you need to play well to support your fellow teammates is a different kind of pressure which the Lady Pirates always welcomed.”

Individually, Ashley Maki shot 87 on Friday, then 87 again on Saturday to finish third overall at 174.

“Ashley Maki has been the backbone of the team and she had a strong tournament,” said Milton.

Maki was joined in the top-15 by Clare Konen, who finished tied for ninth with a 95-95-190 and Kylee Seifert who tied for fourteenth by carding a 103-90-193.

Kila Cannon wasn’t far out of the top 15, finishing tied for nineteenth at 94-102-196.

“Sophomore Kila Cannon came in with her lowest round of the year to pick up her teammate Kylee Seifert who was battling an illness. Without her score day one would've been much closer,” noted Milton.

On the boy’s side of the leaderboard, Carson Hupka carded a two-day score of 2-under par 71-71-142 to finish second overall and help lead the Pirates to a second-place team finish.

“Carson played some fantastic golf being under par for three straight rounds if you include divisional in Libby,” said Milton. “Cabinet View and Hamilton are not easy golf courses. Carson came to the last hole on Saturday and needed a birdie to solidify his runner up position and did it.”

Also for the Pirates, Hunter Emerson finished 9-over par (153), carding a 6-over 78 on Friday and a 3-over 75 on Saturday to finish tied for seventh place.

Espn Fisher, who shot 82-77-159, finished six shots behind Emerson tied for fourteenth place, while Christian Lund, 84-76-160, placed sixteenth and Torrin Ellis, 81-82-163 finished tied for twenty-fourth.

The Ronan Maidens finished eighth in the team standings led by Alyssa Pretty on Top who shot a sixth place 92-93-185.

Lone Ronan Chief state qualifier Colter Cornwell finished with a 91-94-185 two-day score.

2022 Class A State Golf

Hamilton Golf Club - Hamilton

Final results

Boys

Team scores — 1, Laurel 302-302—604; 2, Polson 312-299—611; 3, Whitefish 314-304—618; 4, Livingston 312-310—622; 5, Hamilton 318-321—639; 6 (tie), Corvallis 335-326—661 and Lewistown 340-321—661; 8, Billings Central 343-342—685.

Individual

Polson: Carson Hupka 142, Hunter Emerson 153, Espn Fisher 159, Chrstian Lund 76-84—160, Torrin Ellis 82-81—163.

Ronan: Colter Cornwell 91-94—185.

Girls

Team scores — 1, Polson 379-374—753; 2, Hamilton 401-372—773; Frenchtown 400-388—788; 4, Laurel 401-403—804; 5, Billings Central 406-408—814; 6, Livingston 420-437—857; 7, Sidney 428-452—880; Ronan 490-426—916.

Individual

Polson: Ashley Maki 174; Kylee Seifert 193; Clare Konen 190; Kila Cannon 94-102—196.

Ronan: Alyssa Pretty On Top 185; Mady Evelo 105-128—233; Hanna Lytton 105-126—231; Emma Smith 123-144—267.