Local Golf Report: Northern golfers succeed

With near perfect weather, the 2016 golf season really took off last week. But, perhaps the most important rounds were played a long, long way away from Havre and the Hi-Line.

Last week saw the Montana State University-Northern men’s and women’s golf teams compete in the 2016 Frontier Conference Championships in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Lights and Skylights, coached by Dave Boles, did quite well.

The Northern men were led by Devin Bray, who fired rounds of 80, 77 and 81 to finish in 15th place overall. The Lights finished the tournament with a score of 1,131, which put the Lights in seventh place. Rounding out the scoring for Northern was Mason McDunn at 290, Kevin Tibbetts at 292 and Tyler Tharp at 311. Former North Star standout Jordy Donoven, playing for Rocky Mountain College, shot rounds of 81, 73 and 79 to finish in 12th place.

On the women’s side, MSU-N’s Ashley Hooper shot rounds of 94, 96 and 100 to post a T20 finish. Whitney Barhms was right behind in 21st place with a 295, while Kirsten Bense shot 316, Karrigan Jones shot 317 and Diana Ball shot 325. The Skylights finished seventh overall with a score of 1,215.

Back on the home courses, men’s league began last week at Prairie Farms Golf Course under incredible warm and sunny skies.

Last Tuesday night saw Rock Solid and Dan Wagner Plumbing each tally 22.5 points to tie for high-team honors, while Matt Hedstrom, Kyle Sheppard and Jeff Jensen each shot one-under par rounds of 35 to earn low gross. Low net went to Greg Baltrusch with a 31.

Last Wednesday night saw Mariani Insurance score 24.5 points to earn high team. Jim Kirkpatrick was in at one-under for low gross and Gene Harada was low net with a 31.

Men’s league continues this week at Prairie Farms, while the action for the ladies will be starting soon on Thursday nights.

Meanwhile, the Chinook boys and girls golf teams were back on the course last weekend, competing in the Sunburst/Valier Invite in Shelby. The Chinook boys finished second with a score of 253, while Derek Bell took first place with an 80. Ian McIntosh also shot 85, while Kade Friede shot 88 and Jake Norby 101.

The Chinook girls placed third overall with a 362. Allie Skoyen and Carrie Hofer led the way, each shooting 116, while Courtney Hofer shot 130 and Ashley MacLeod shot 139. The Beeters have a busy week, competing today in Hamilton, Friday in Fort Benton and Saturday in Harlem.

Prairie Farms Golf League Standings

Tuesday Night Men

1. Dan Wagner Plumbing- 22.5

2. Rock Solid- 22.5

3. Bing n Bobs- 22

4. Stockman Bank- 21

5. BKD Law- 18.5

6. Hole 19- 18.5

7. Vic’s Place- 18

8. Vic’s Place- 18

9. Milk River Engineering (Misfits)- 18

10.Patrick Construction- 17.5

11.Korb Construction- 17.5

12.Havre Ford- 15

13.Northern Edge- 14

14.Tilleman Motor CO- 13.5

15.Cowan & Son- 13.5

Wednesday Night Men

1. Mariani Insurance- 24.5

2. Aarons- 20

3. Valley Furniture – 19.5

4. Michelob Light- 19

5. Gallery Lounge- 18.5

6. Bear Paw Credit Union- 18.5

7. Master Sports -17.5

8. DA Davidson- 17.5

9. Independence Bank- 16.5

10.Havre Ford- 16

11.Koefod Agency- 10

12.S&M Construction- 8