Local Golf Report: Jim Kirkpatrick named new MSU-N golf coach

July is here, and that means, the local golf season is not only in full swing, it’s now at peak time for golf. But with July now on the calendar, it also means, the start of school isn’t that far off, and with school comes a new season of Montana State University-Northern golf.

And when the Lights and Skylights take to the course in August and September, they’ll be under the direction of a new head coach.

Havre’s Jim Kirkpatrick was recently named the new golf coach at MSU-N. Kirkpatrick is a professor at MSU-N, an avid fisherman and a heck of a golfer, too.

He’s also a good friend of mine, and a friend to so many others in town, so I’d certainly like to take this time to say, congrats Jimmy. I know you’ll do great, and Northern golf is lucky to have you.

Now, of course, even though I mentioned school, don’t fret kids, it’s still a ways off, and you all have plenty of summer left to enjoy. However, summer hasn’t exactly been cooperating yet when it comes to golf, and last week was no exception.

The severe thunderstorms that rolled through Havre and the Hi-Line put a major damper in golf last week, especially last Thursday night as both ladies league at Prairie Farms Golf Course, and men’s league at Beaver Creek Golf Course were canceled due to some nasty, nasty weather.

So here’s hoping that July is a little more golf friendly than August was.

Men’s league at Prairie Farms did get done last week however. Last Tuesday night saw Hole 19 and Vic’s Place tie for high-team honors with 21 points apiece. Vic’s was made up of Lowell Swenson, Dave Peterson, Mike Peterson and Kerry Ward, while Hole 19 was composed of Willard Fladager, Mike Purkett, Jim Kirkpatrick and Kerry Ward. Jeff Jensen was low gross with an even-par 36, while Purkett and Cal Wirtzberger tied for low net with 32.

Last Wednesday night saw Valley Furniture earn high team with 22.5 points. Dave Peterson, Mike Evans, Brent Reber and Mike Peterson made up the team. Jimmy Kato and Kyle Miller each fired rounds of one-under 35 for low gross, while Chad Spangler was low net with a 30.

League golf will be off this week due to the Fourth of July holiday, and when it returns, and for the remainder of the summer, here’s to hoping that Mother Nature cooperates with us golfers for a while.

I’d also like to let everybody know that there will be no From Tee to Green next Tuesday, as I will be taking a little vacation to Sin City. The funny part about that is, while it hasn’t been great golf weather here of late, it won’t be in Vegas either. I played golf once in July in Vegas, on a great course, too. But it also took about five holes for me to realize why no one plays golf in July in Las Vegas. It’s just too damn hot. So I’ll settle for Top Golf with my wife instead.

From Tee to Green will return the following week, however, with results from the upcoming Rotary Blast and the MSU-N Diesel Tech tournaments. But before I go, I just have to say a quick thank-you.

I want to say thanks to all of you who put on the Rotary Golf Camp. It was another successful camp last week, and it’s something that’s been very important to me because of the passion I have for golf, especially in Havre. And it wouldn’t happen without the hard work of the likes of Jimmy Kato, Doug Sheppard, Jeremy Jensen, Carrie Kato, Kyle Sheppard, the Rotary Club, and so many more of you who donated your time and effort to give the kids of Havre and the Hi-Line such a great opportunity.

So, thanks to all of you who make the golf camp happen. I know I didn’t mention everybody but, believe me, your hard work and your dedication to youth golf is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Prairie Farms Golf League Standings

Tuesday Night Men

Wagner Plumbing 41

BA Ranch 40.5

Patrick Construction 39.5

Hole 19 38.5

Rock Solid 37.5

Myers Ranch 36

Tire Rama 35.5

Cowan & Sons 35

Stockman Bank 35

Vic's Place 33.5

BKD Law 32.5

Misfits 30.5

Tilleman Motors 30

Wednesday Night Men

Valley Furniture 42

Michelob Ultra 39.5

Master Sports 36.5

Independence Bank 36

HUB Insurance 36

Korb Construction 34.5

DA Davidson 34

BPCU 32

Havre Ford 20

Ladies League

Independence Bank 157

Patrick Construction 126

Scharfe, Kato & Co. 124.5

Double R 119

Northern Montana Hospital 119

DA Davidson 114.5

Charlies Heating and Air 108

Prairie Farms 106

Rock Solid 99

Baldwin Insurance 84.5

Western Drug 75