Pirates golf teams retool for new season

Polson has been a perennial golf power in Montana, winning both the boys and girls state titles last season.

This year, Polson Head Coach Cameron Milton is retooling after all five boys and three girls from last year. Carson Emerson and Max Milton are expected to lead the boys after strong starts this season.

“Our goals are different this year,” Milton said. “We hope to qualify for the state tournament which we host this year.”

On the girls' side, the Lady Pirates return Kila Cannon while adding four new golfers to the starting lineup.

“Including both squads, we have nine new players on varsity this season,” Milton said. “Our strengths will be resilience and our quest to improve. We are building to the two most important events of the year, Divisionals and State.”

Milton added that golf is unique because the regular reason has zero bearing on any postseason awards for individuals and teams.

This year, the overwhelming favorite in the Western A Conference is Corvallis, led by Brady Powell, who has already carded multiple sub-70 rounds.

“I don't think anyone in the West will have a chance at catching their squad,” Milton said. “They have already shot sub-300 this year. A deep team with five players who can consistently break 80.”

Laurel returns all five starters from last year’s second-place finish in the east, but Milton said Billings Central could be a surprise team.

“They have an extremely accomplished freshman in Colin Jensen, who shot 63 in qualifying for the Rams,” Milton said. “In addition to Colin, the Rams’ Caleb Fornshell just won the AA Billings Invite.”