Four Ponies take aim at Polson Bay and the final 36

Four golfers from Havre High fought their way through a really tough Eastern A Divisional last week at the Sidney Country Club. Their reward is 36 more holes and an equally tough golf course. But they also get to compete on high school golf's biggest stage, and there's nothing better than that.

"So excited for our kids that qualified for state," HHS head coach George Ferguson said. "As someone who loves golf, and really loves high school golf, I'm just so happy for them that they get to compete in this tournament. It means they're the best of the best, and I can't wait to watch them play this week."

Havre boys Caleb Spangler, Theron Peterson and Kale Reno, along with Blue Pony Shea Reber will be playing at the Class A state tourney Friday and Saturday at Polson Bay Golf Club in Polson.

Spangler, Reno and Peterson are repeat performers having been a part of the Blue Pony team that qualified a year ago. And while they'll be playing as individuals this week, Ferguson said he still looks at his three seniors as a very solid team.

"We won't be playing for a team score this weekend, but those guys have been golfing together for a long time now. So they're still repping the Blue Pony boys golf team for sure. Still, it's about individual glory for those three now. There's nothing left for them to do but go out there and see how low they can go."

All three are capable of doing just that, according to Ferguson. Spangler is a two-time All Eastern A standout, who finished just six strokes out of the lead last Friday in Sidney. And both Peterson and Reno have put up plenty of good scores this fall.

"Caleb is just a really, really good golfer, and I consider him to be an All-State contender in Polson. He's played alongside the best all season long, and he belongs in those groups. I am just in awe of how good he's become. And very proud of him, because he has put in the work. He played all summer. He works hard at his game, he takes a lot of pride in shooting good scores, and I think he's going to have a great weekend in Polson.

"I think Theron and Kale can do the same as well," Ferguson said. "Theron has just been so consistent all season. He's been rock solid, and Kale has been at this for a long time. He knows what it takes to score well, and I think both of those guys are going to have a great tournament."

Just like the Blue Pony boys won't be competing for a trophy this weekend, the HHS girls will be represented by just Reber. Havre had a very inexperienced team this fall, but Reber has certainly burst onto the scene, earning All-Conference honors in her first trip to the golf postseason.

"I can't say enough about Shea, she has just improved so fast," Ferguson said. "I expected her to be one of our top players coming into the season, but she's far exceeded those expectations. She's now just one of our top players, she's on her way to becoming a top player in Class A. So I'm just really proud of how much she's improved, and this tournament is going to be a great experience for her. And while I know she'll do really well in Polson, the future for Shea is so bright."

As for the actual team competitions at Mission Bay, which hasn't hosted a state meet in nearly a decade, Laurel will be strong contenders on both sides, but the host Polson Pirates will also be in the mix, as will Billings Central, Livingston and Whitefish on the boys side, as well as the Corvallis girls.

"Class A golf is really good right now," Ferguson said. "There's a lot of talent, a lot of kids who can really put up some good scores. It's great to see golf thriving right now, and Mission Bay will be a great test for all these kids. It's a great course."

And having fun, and playing well on a great course is exactly what Ferguson wants his players to focus on when the State A tournament starts Friday morning and runs through Saturday afternoon in Polson.

"No pressure on our kids," Ferguson said. "They have a great opportunity to go out there for two days and just focus on themselves, on playing the course and about executing their games to the best of their abilities. That's the opportunity they've earned and they deserve the chance to go out there, see what they can do. I'm already really proud of those four kids, and I'm excited to see what they do this weekend. It's going to be a lot of fun."