Local Golf Report: Good luck to Blue Pony golf teams

Playoff golf is center stage at Prairie Farms golf course. The ladies are into their third week of the playoffs, and the men will begin their first week next week. And that makes this a big week of golf east of Havre.

However, things get even bigger Thursday morning. That’s because high school golfers will descend upon Prairie Farms for their first day of Havre High golf practice. The Blue Pony boys and girls, led by head coach Brett Gilman, have just three days to prepare for their season-opening tournament, which is Monday and Tuesday in Great Falls. Then, just one week after the Ponies begin practicing, they’ll play at home for the first of two times this season. The Ponies host the Havre High Golf Tournament next Thursday at Prairie Farms, and HHS is back at home Sept. 5 to host the Havre Invitational at Beaver Creek Golf Course.

Havre’s postseason will include a trip to Lewistown for the Central A divisional tournament Sept. 26, while those that make it there, will play at the Class A state tournament Oct. 2-3 at the Sidney Country Club.

So here’s good-luck wishes to all of those boys and girls who will hit the links for the Blue Ponies this season.

As mentioned, the ladies are through the quarterfinal round of the 2015 playoffs at Prairie Farms. Last Thursday night saw Northern Montana Health Care defeat Western Drug 24.5-11.5, Patrick Construction take down Independence Bank 18.5-17.5 and D.A. Davidson beat Scharfe, Kato & Co. 20-16. Because Independence Bank was the highest-scoring team to be defeated last Thursday, the squad will be the fourth team in this week’s semifinals. Low gross last Thursday went to Teresa Brown with a 43, while Shari Baltrusch was low net with a 32.5.

Men’s league at Prairie Farms is down to two nights, and that means, eight more teams will join next week’s playoff bracket. Last Tuesday night saw Northern Edge take home high-team honors with 21.5 points. The team was made up of Billy Wagner, Scott Miller, Jim Kirkpatrick and Pat Foster. Jeremy Jensen was low gross with a 2-under par 34, while Jerry Wagner was low net with a 28.5.

Hole 19 is currently in first place in the Tuesday night standings but has already qualified for the playoffs, along with Northern Edge, which sits in fourth, Korb Construction, which is in third and Dan Wagner Plumbing, which is currently in seventh place.

Last Wednesday night saw my team, Havre Ford, score a whopping 28.5 points, without me in the lineup. That was good enough for high team. Playing for Havre Ford was Kevin Harada, Brett Gilman, Dave Boles and Jim Wirt. Jensen was again low gross with a 35, while Ryan Mapes was low net with a 31.

Havre Ford’s big night vaulted us into first place in the Wednesday night standings. The top four in the standings, Ford, Mariani Insurance, Gallery Lounge and Michelob Light, have not qualified for the playoffs. The first half saw Master Sports, BPCU and D.A. Davidson make the list.

Beaver Creek Golf Course will also play host to a special tournament at the end of this month. On Aug. 29, the Second Annual MSU-Northern Nursing Golf Tournament will be held. The tourney is a four-person scramble and the proceeds go to the MSU-N Class of 2016. For more information, or to register, call Kendra at 406-291-4267.

Prairie Farms Golf Leagues

Tuesday Night Men

1. Hole 19-140.5

2. Bing-n-Bob’s-140

3. Korb Construction-136.5

4. Northern Edge-135

5. Patrick Construction-133.5

6. Vic’s Place-132

7. Dan Wagner Plumbing-131.5

8. Nalivka’s- 29.5

9. Stockman Bank-126.5

10. Havre Ford-123

11. Havre Muffler-121.5

12. Tilleman Motor Co.-121.5

13. Triple Dog Brewery-118.5

14. BKD Law-115.5

15. Rock Solid-114

16. Property West-111.5

17. Hi-Line Drilling-111

Wednesday Night Men

1. Havre Ford-147

2. Mariani Insurance-137

3. Gallery Lounge-135.5

4. Michelob Light-135

5. Master Sports-135

6. Valley Furniture-131

7. Bear Paw Credit Union-130.5

8. Yummy Foods-130

9. D.A. Davidson-126

10. Independence Bank-126

11. Triangle Communications-124

12. Aaron’s-120

13. Koefod Agency-118.5

14. Central Machine-77.5

15. Ruff Real Estate-64.5