Local Golf Report: What a week it's been in golf

For all of you who read my weekly golf report, just a quick warning, there’s a lot to get to in this week’s column, and plenty of results and information, so, here we go.

First off, what a weekend it was at Prairie Farms Golf Course. The first-ever Waddell & Reed Dual on the Prairie Member/Guest Tournament was held Saturday and Sunday, and, to none’s surprise, it was a huge success and a whole lot of fun.

That being said, I first would like to take the time to thank my really good friend Jeremy Jensen and Willard Fladager for not only putting on a great golf tournament, but also, for donating $1,000 from the event to the Havre High golf teams. As the Blue Ponies’ head coach, that means so much to me and our kids, so thank you, guys, thank you very much.

A second thank-you goes out to everyone who helped put on the tournament behind the scenes. This was a big event, and I know it took a lot of people to put it together and work it throughout the weekend, so to all of you who helped, thank you on behalf of all of us who played.

Also, thanks to the Prairie Farms grounds staff because, that golf course was not only in awesome shape, but it also played extremely difficult, which it should have for a tournament of this nature. To Justin and the guys, job well done.

Now to the tourney itself. What a great format with Chapman (modiefied alternate shot) Saturday and 18 holes of best ball Sunday. Both formats were a ton of fun, and made for two really good days of golf.

Fittingly, Jeremy Jensen and his close friend and former College of Idaho golf teammate Kris Brett took home low gross honors for the weekend, while Levi Olson and Jared Spooner won overall low net. Congrats guys. Great playing.

In the Championship Flight, the teams of Kyle Sheppard and Troy Toner and Laramie Schwenke and Gordon Webb tied for first place for low gross honors, while Kyle Miller and Matt Hedstrom were first in net, and my good buddy and former Blue Pony tennis great Billy Wagner, and myself, came in second in low net in the flight.

In the second flight, Jeff and Justin (Gus) Jensen were first gross, while Jimmy Kato and Kelly Darlington were second gross. Dave Peterson and Jay Eslick were first net, while Tom Adams and Frank Spangler were second net. In the third flight, Doug Sheppard and Denali Solomon were first gross, while Mike Erickson and Shaye Erickson were second gross. First net went to Shari Baltrusch and Nikki Griffiths, while second net was won by Paige Henderson and Kelsie Briese.

One more time, I just want to say, it was a great weekend, and I think everybody did a really good job of playing in this tourney safely, so thanks again Jeremy and Willard and congrats to everybody who was there.

While we’re on the subject of Havre High golf, there will be a player sign-up meeting for all student-athletes planning on playing HHS golf Tuesday, Aug. 11, at noon at the Prairie Farms driving range. For all stident-athletes planning on playing golf, the Havre High Fall Sports Parents’ Meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 10, at 5:40 p.m. There will be a general meeting in the HHS gymnasium, followed by a golf specific meeting at 6 p.m. in the HHS wrestling room. The first day of practice is Aug. 13. All student-athletes are reminded that they must have a sports physical before they can participate.

League golf has also entered its final month of the 2020 season. Last Tuesday, in men’s league at Prairie Farms, Patrick Construction was high team with 24.5 points. The team was made up of Dave Armstrong, Tom and Brett Patrick and Ken Wagner. Jeremy Jensen started off a huge week with a 2-under 34 for low gross, while Wagner was low net with a 30.5. Last Wednesday night saw my boys for Korb Construction get high team with 22 points. Kyle Miller, Scott Miller, Mike Kelley and Mike Erickson composed the team. Jeremy was low gross again with a one-under 35, while Dave Herman and Byron Ophus were each low net with 33.5.

In ladies league last Thursday at Prairie Farms, DA Davidson and Patrick Construction shared high-team honors with 23.5 points each. DA is composed of Patsy Divish, Paula Sheppard, Teagan Fee and Shari Baltrusch. Patrick was made up of Katie Heath, Carolyn Patrick, Sarah Christenson, and Kathy Peterson. Jenna Jensen was low gross with a 38, while Fee was low net with a 33.5.

Meanwhile, at Beaver Creek Golf Course, the Grip It n Rip It Tournament, which was postponed last month, has been rescheduled for Aug. 15. The tourney is a three-person scrmable. Contact the Pro Shop at BCGC for more information.

Lastly, I'd like to take this final few minutes of today's column to say how sorry I was to hear of the passing of Frank Henry. A longtime area golf enthusiast, and just a great all-around guy, Frank was a special friend to me. Whether it was basketball games all over the Hi-Line, or asking me to play in his golf games on weekend's at Beaver Creek back in the day, it was an honor just knowing Frank. He took me to my first out-of-town golf tourney, too, the Sizzler in Shelby one year, and that was a time to be had.

And by the way, he was one hell of a stick, too.

Frank, my friend, you will be missed.

Prairie Farms Golf League Standings

Tuesday Night Men

Tire Rama 199

Wagner Plumbing 196

Myers Ranch 194

Hole 19 188.5

BA Ranch 185

Patrick Construction 177.5

Rock Solid 175

Stockman Bank 173

Cowan $ Son 158

Tilleman Motors 154

Wednesday Night Men

HUB Insurance 198.5

Valley Furniture 192.5

Korb Construction 187

DA Davidson 185.5

BPCU 179

Michelob Light 176.5

Independence Bank 171.5

Master Sports 170.5

Havre Ford 161

Ladies League

1. Patrick Construction 158

2. Double R 154

3. D. A. Davidson 153

4. Independence Bank 152.5

5. Rock Solid 151

6. Schubert Agency 149

7. Charlie's Heating and Air 145

8. Scharfe, Kato & Co. 142

9. Baldwin Insurance 140

10. Northern MT Hospital 127

11. Prairie Farms 119

12. Western Drug 108.5