Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
A GRATEFUL GREAT - Gary Thompson (left) accepts an award of appreciation from Thompson Falls athletic director Jake Mickelson as Blue Hawk head coach Mike Bates leads the cheers prior to the inaugural Gary Thompson Invitational tournament at River's Bend Saturday.
PLAINS' NICK GUMM putts on No. 6 during the Gary Thompson Invitational at River's Bend Saturday.
OUT OF THE BUNKER and on to the green, Thompson Falls' Ben Croft and his teammates will play in the St. Regis Invitational at Trestle Creek Thursday.
PLAINS' KAYLEE COLE watches a drive during Gary Thompson Invitational action at River's Bend Saturday. Cole won sixth place in the girls portion of the event.
Maybe it was the power of Gary that kept the dark clouds away.
The first-ever Gary Thompson Invitational high school golf tournament was held under threatening skies at River's Bend Saturday and it seemed some strange force of golf and/or nature was working to keep conditions playable, even though the forecast was calling for rain and wind.
Maybe it really was the goodwill power of Gary that kept that bad weather at bay because the tourney, formerly known as the Thompson Falls Invitational, went down without delay and he was able to fully enjoy his big day.
Thompson Falls athletic director Jake Mickelson kicked off the very first Gary Invite by awarding Thompson a special plaque in honor of his years of service and coaching in Thompson Falls in front of the players and coaches right before tee time.
Navigating their ways around the Bend in blustery but mostly dry weather after that, Gavin Zaluski of Florence won the boys individual title with an 83, while Izzy Santistevan of Bigfork captured the inaugural girls Gary Thompson title with a round of 92.
Topping the list for the home team, junior Ethan Brown of Thompson Falls carded an 84 and then won a playoff from Caden Plasmier of Florence to claim second place with the boys.
Lady Hawk Megan Baxter shot an even 100 to finish third with the girls and her teammate Jolia Buchanan posted a 151 to place tenth.
Kaylee Cole of Plains shot 125 to place sixth among the girls to pace the Trotters and Horsemen.
Duncan Chisholm and Nick Gumm swung clubs for the Horsemen, and Miera Loberg, Grace Horton and McKenna O'Lexey also played through for the Trotters.
Up this week for Thompson Falls golfers were the Missoula Invitational Monday and Tuesday (results were not available at press time), and the St. Regis Invitational at Trestle Creek Thursday. Plains golfers will also participate in the St. Regis Invite.
The prep golf season is rapidly winding down as the Class C qualifying tournament will be held at St. Regis Monday, May 6, and the Hawks' Class B divisional tournament will be played in Anaconda May 7.
The State C golf tourney will be played at Double Arrow golf course in Seeley Lake May 13-14 and the State B will be in Missoula May 14-15.
Gary Thompson Invitational
at River's Bend
BOYS
Team scores: 1, Florence 364; 2, Bigfork 385; 3, Darby 401; 4, Clark Fork 435.
Top 10 individuals
1, Gavin Zaluski, Florence, 83; 2, Ethan Brown, Thompson Falls, 84 (won playoff); 3, Cade Plasmier, Florence, 84; 4, JP Briney, Florence, 90; T5, Ryley Conner, Darby, 91; Michael Talley, Darby, 91; T7 Asher VanCampen, Bigfork 93; Logan McMann, Bigfork, 93; 9, Ryder Conner, Darby 94; 10, Danner Haskins, Clark Fork, 97.
GIRLS
Team scores: 1, Bigfork 432; 2, Plains 611.
Top 10 individuals
1, Izzy Santistevan, Bigfork 92; 2, Carly Stodghill, Bigfork 95; 3, Megan Baxter, Thompson falls, 100; 4, Hattie Emslie, Bigfork 115; 5, Jonna Warnken, Clark Fork, 123; 6, Kaylee Cole, Plains, 125; 7, Tegan Mauldin, Seeley-Swan, 129; 8, Mackenzie Holton, Bigfork, 130; 9, Malena Ketelhut, Florence, 142; 10, Joila Buchanan, Thompson Falls, 151.
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