Local Golf Report: Half of league season in the books

Well, that was interesting. The U.S. Open that is. And what did I take away from it all? Once again, you just can't ever satisfy the world of golf.

I covered the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, and the story was, the pros whining about how bad the greens were and difficult the course setup was. Fast forward two years, and now you have the pros doing anything but whining. Well, except for Johnny Miller.

No, this U.S. Open at Erin Hills featured a golf course that could have played brutally difficult, but didn't because it rained at night, and, God forbid, then decided not to blow. So the pros, including newly cemented champ Brooks Koepka, chewed Erin Hills up and spit it back out. And 16-under par, well, that left the likes of former champion Miller and many other nonfactors in this Open whining about Erin Hills being too easy.

It just goes to show that you just can't make everybody happy when it comes to the Open, and, my lord, is the world of golf - whether it's the current pros, the fans or the people who govern golf - full of a bunch of very, very fickle people. It's kind of getting absurd how much someone has to whine and complain about every single U.S. Open.

No matter, though, I thought it was enjoyable, entertaining and very fun to watch. But to those of you who didn't like it, don't fret, I'm sure Shinnecock Hills and its 7-yard wide fairways will produce the U.S. Open you're looking for next June.

Back on the home front, I can't lie, I'm going to do some whining. Is this wind ever going to stop blowing? I mean, this is Havre, it's not Livingston. Come on Mother Nature, let us enjoy are dang short summer for a little while.

But even in the wind, the show must go on. Last week at Prairie Farms Golf Course, the first half of the men's league season came to a close. On Tuesday night, Milk River Engineering was high team with 23 points. Spike Magelssen, Gene Allen, Mike Rappold and Mike Gomke made up the squad. Jeremy Jensen and Kyle Sheppard each shot even-par 36 for low gross, while Rocky Brown was low net with a 30. In the final standings, Wagner Plumbing just edged Bing-N-Bob's for the first-half title. Hole 19 and Havre Ford tied for third, while Milk River came in fifth.

Last Wednesday night saw Master Sports score 28.5 points for high team. Dave Sheppard, Barry Kato, Wayne Bolken and Jim Kirkpatrick composed the team. Jim Kato was low gross with a 37, while Alex Chvilicek and Lowell Swenson tied for low net with 30.5. Gallery Lounge won the first half with 140.5 points, while Master Sports was second, followed by Michelob Light and Valley Furniture.

The top four teams from each half are automatically in the August playoffs. The second half of the season begins tonight.

In women's league at Prairie Farms last Thursday, D.A. Davidson was high team with 22 points. The team was made up of Shari Baltrusch, Karla Bolken, Patsy Divish and Paula Sheppard. Ali Ward was low gross with a 39, while Sheppard was low net with a 32.

Last Thursday night, Beaver Creek wrapped up its first half of men's league for the season. Nalivka's was high team with 26 points. The team was composed of Paul Jensen, Matt Jensen, Jordan Brough and Kerry Olson. Justin Hawley was low gross with an even 36. Mark Majeres and Corey Black were low net with a 30.

New Concept Lawn won the first half title. Nalivka's, Vine 19 and Grip It n Sip It also made the playoffs.

The tournament scene was once again jumping last week as well. Prairie Farms played host to the Natalie Patrick Foundation Scramble last Saturday with the team of Gary Wagner, Gary Baltrusch, Lance Reeser and Lisa Anderson taking home the title. Last Friday at BCGC, Beaver Creek won the first-ever North Star Athletics Tournament. The team was composed of Bill Schilling, Tom Haas, Robbie Gomke and Scott Miller.

The tournament action on the Hi-Line continues this weekend with a two-person, 27-hole golf tourney Saturday at the Chinook golf club. The entry fee is $80 per two-person team which includes, breakfast and lunch, best ball, scotch doubles and scramble, and includes mulligans. Call Mike Seymour for more details at 945-2531.

Finally, don't forget about the annual Rotary Youth Golf Camp coming soon to Prairie Farms. The camp runs July 5-7 and is open to ages 9 and older. For more information, or to sign up, call the Pro Shop at Prairie Farms.

Prairie Farms Golf League

Tuesday Night Men

(Final)

Wagner Plumbing 168

Bing-N-Bob's 167

Hole 19 154

Havre Ford 154

Milk River Engineering 146

Vic's Place 145

BKD Law 140

Patrick Construction 135.5

Northern Edge 133

Stockman Bank 131

Rock Solid 130.5

Cowan & Son 128.5

Korb Construction 117.5

Tilleman Mortors 117

Wednesday Night Men

(Final)

Gallery Lounge 140.5

Master Sports 133

Michelob Light 132.5

Valley Furniture 129.5

D.A. Davidson 129

Independence Bank 124.5

BPCU 121

Havre Ford 120

Mariani Insurance 116

Chvilicek Farms 67

Ladies League

Double R- 120.5

Prairie Farms- 108

DA Davidson- 105

Rock Solid Materials- 104

Patrick Construction- 103

Scharfe, Kato & Co.- 96

Northern Montana Hospital- 95.5

Havre Heating & A/C- 95

Schubert Agency- 90

Independence Bank- 84.5

Western Drug- 56.5

Beaver Creek Men's League

New Concept Lawn - 161

Nalivka's - 160.5

Vine 19 - 151.5...

Grip It n Sip It - 147

Hi-Line Gold Casino - 145.5

Droppin A Deuce - 143.5

Boder Dogs - 142

Frontier Lawn - 139

CS Labs - 138

Valley Furniture - 135

Grams Ice Cream - 127.5

S&M Construction - 123

Triangle Communciations - 118

Office Equipment - 113.5

Independence Bank - 111

Baldwin Insurance - 96.5

Beaver Creek Golf - 85.5