Local Golf Report: Champs will be crowned at Prairie

Champions will be crowned this week at Prairie Farms Golf Course, as both men's and women's leagues wrap up their 2016 seasons.

Thursday night, the women will complete their playoffs with the championship match, which pits Prairie Farms against Patrick Construction. Last Thursday, Prairie Farms defeated Schubert Agency and Patrick Construction bested Northern Montana Hospital in the semifinals.

The men got their playoffs started with two rounds last week.

Last Tuesday's first round saw Bing-N-Bob's beat Valley Furniture 21-15, Michelob Light topped Korb Construction in a playoff, BKD Law down D.A. Davidson 18.5 to 17.5 and Master Sports run by Northern Edge 23-13. On the other side of the draw, Mariani Insurance beat Rock Solid 24.5 to 11.5, Vic's Place defeated Gallery Lounge 19-17, Hole 19 took out Bear Paw Credit Union 21-15 and Wagner Plumbing beat Havre Ford 21.5 to 14.5.

In the quarterfinals last Wednesday, Michelob Light took down Bing-N-Bob's 18.5 to 17.5 and BKD Law beat Master Sports 19.5 to 16.5 setting up one of tonight's semifinals. The other side of the bracket saw Vic's Place beat Mariani Insurance 20-16 and Wagner Plumbing toppled Hole 19 23-13 to make tonight's other semifinal. The winners of tonight's semifinals will play each other in an 18-hole championship match Wednesday.

Speaking of championships, the men's club championship is set for Aug. 28 at Prairie Farms. The tournament will be an 18-hole, flighted, stroke-play event, and anyone wishing to sign up can do so at the Pro Shop at Prairie Farms.

Prairie Farms will also be busy this Thursday when the Havre Blue Pony golf teams make their home debut, but HHS already opened its season Monday, competing in the Great Falls Invitational at Meadowlark Country Club.

The Havre High boys scored a solid 361, led by senior Kane Gabrielsen's 84. Dustin Haas shot 89 and Aden Passon shot a 92. Gavin Mosbrucker added a 96 on the day, while Lyle Kirkpatrick rounded out the scoring with a 104.

On the girls side, Havre opened its season with a team total of 438. Sophomore Teagan Fee paced the Ponies with a 103, while Kinzee Peterson and Mackenzie Tilleman each shot 111. Grace Litzinger scored a 113 and Regan Lammers shot 131. The Ponies are back on the course this morning, for round two of the Great Falls Invite at Eagles Falls Golf Course.

Finally, I'd like to take a moment to offer my condolences to the entire Sheppard family. Last week, we lost a great man in Terry Sheppard, who, among many things, was an avid golf enthusiast. I had the honor of being able to play with, and alongside Terry during many years of men's golf league, both at Beaver Creek Golf Course and Prairie Farms. But as much as I always looked up to Terry as a golfer, he was an even better person, and somebody who will be dearly missed.