Local Golf Report: I know the new HHS golf coach

It’s the last week of July. And that means, for kids anyway, it’s time to start thinking about school.

And with the start of a new school year right around the corner, it also means the start of a new Havre High golf season is even closer at hand.

So, having said that, I’ll take this time to introduce you to the knew HHS golf coach. It’s none other than the same guy writing the column.

Yes, I will have the honor of coaching a second sport that I love at my alma mater. And believe me, it is an honor.

I have spent nearly two decades coaching tennis at Havre High, and it has been nothing but a dream come true. Now, I’m adding a second adventure to my Blue Pony duties as head golf coach.

It’s a privilege to coach at HHS, and I’m grateful that I have been doing it for as long as I have. Tennis has been my true love and passion for as long as I can remember, and believe me, I can’t wait until next spring to get back on the courts with my teams.

However, for almost as long as I can remember, golf has also been a passion of mine — maybe even an addiction, and I’m excited for the opportunity to now coach the sport. I won’t lie, I’m not the best golfer around, but then again, who is? When anyone asks me, or says I’m a good golfer, my reply has always been — no — I’m a golfer who can play good golf sometimes.

I’ve always said, however, that I would make a really good caddie or golf coach. I used to tell my really good friend Brett Gilman, who did an awesome job coaching the Blue Pony golf teams himself, that, if he ever decided to join the senior PGA Tour, I’d be the best caddie he could find.

In other words, I study golf. I’m a golf nerd. I watch it, I know it, and even though I can’t execute with my own swing as often as I'd like, I am proud of my golf knowledge, I’m proud of how much of the game I’ve absorbed over the years, and I’m excited to put that to use with the HHS golf team.

I’m also extremely proud of my coaching abilities, and my philosophies when it comes to high school athletics. I should be because I’ve been doing it for a really long time, and I think it’s worked pretty well. And, I think there are a ton of parallels between tennis and golf, so my coaching philosophies and my knowledge will translate well to coaching golf this fall.

To put it another way, I’m really excited about this new adventure. I love the game of golf and I love coaching at Havre High, so, this couldn’t be a better fit for me. And I am honored and humbled that I was chosen to take over the Blue Pony golf program. I love the great kids we always have at Havre High, and I can’t wait to get going.

And while golf season is right around the corner, the adult golf on the Hi-Line is in full summer mode right now.

Last week in men’s league at Prairie Farms Golf Course, Tire Rama had high-team honors with 22 points in Tuesday night. Kyle Sheppard shot an even-par 36 for low gross, while Mike Purkett was low net with a 31.

Last Wednesday night, Michelob Ultra was high team with 21.5 points, while Jim Kato was low gross with a stellar one-under 35. Purkett was low net again with a 21.5.

On a windy night at Beaver Creek Golf Course last Thursday, Plain Green took home high-team honors with 22.5 points. Ian Stamper, Pete Stiffarm, Andre Wright and Jim Rader composed the squad. Ryan Callahan was low gross with a 41, while Isiah Murie was low net with a 22.5.

There are still some big tournaments left on the golf scene as well. Next weekend, Prairie Farms will host the annual Northern Montana Health Care Foundation Tournament, while BCGC will play host to the Rossette Memorial Tournament. Both events are four-person scrambles.

Prairie Farms Golf League Standings

Tuesday Night Men

Patrick Construction 79.5

Wagner Plumbing 76

BA Ranch 75.5

Tire Rama 75

Rock Solid 74

Hole 19 73.5

Myers Ranch 71

Vic's Place 70

Stockman Bank 68

Cowan & Sons 68

Misfits 68

BKD Law 67.5

Tilleman Motors 67

Wednesday Night Men

Michelob Ultra 79

Valley Furniture 78.5

DA Davidson 73.5

HUB Insurance 73

Master Sports 72

Korb Construction 69

BPCU 67

Independence Bank 63.5

Havre Ford 46.5

BCGC Men's League Standings

1. Gram's Ice Cream - 223 pts

2. Grip It & Sip It - 219 pts

3. New Concept Lawn Care - 217 pts

4. Triple Dog Brewery - 216 pts

5. Plain Green - 212 pts

6. Vine 19 - 207 pts

7. Beaver Creek Golf Course - 202.5 pts

8. RJS & Associates, Inc. - 191.5 pts

9. Chvilicek Farms - 191 pts

10. Nalivka's - 190.5 pts

11. Stockman Bank - 187.5 pts

12. Office Equipment - 187 pts

13. Koefod Agency - 182.5 pts

14. Triangle Communications - 178.5 pts

15. Border Dawgs - 167 pts

16. I B Your Bank - 166 pts