Thompson returns to guide Hawk golf

When you have a tournament named after you, you are considered a living legend.

Long-time Thompson Falls golf coach Gary Thompson, who was honored when officials declared Thompson Falls’ annual high school golf tournament the “Gary Thompson Invitational” back in 2019, is back to coach the Blue Hawk girls and boys golf teams once more this spring.

Although he has attempted to retire from his Falls golf coaching position a few times, Thompson always seems to get lured back in. And he is liking the looks of his 2021 team, although he would like to have a few more players on his roster.

“You think a guy would get cut a little slack when he turns 70 but I am still at it,” he said, “and we are optimistic. We have some kids that want to play and get better and we are going to do just that and have some fun doing it.”

The fun actually started last week as most of the Thompson Falls team played in the Florence/Darby Invititational Thursday in the Bitterroot Valley.

Sisters Megan and Ellie Baxter highlighted the Hawks’ efforts in that meet by finishing first and second individually, with Megan, a senior, shooting a 98 and Ellie, a sophomore, carding 108.

Since the Baxter sisters are the only female golfers for Thompson Falls, the Lady Hawks did not have enough golfers to figure in team scoring. A total of 19 girls golfed in the meet.

“Megan and Ellie really played well, I’m proud of their effort,” Thompson said. “I just wish we had a few more girls out.”

On the boys side of the meet, where 42 competed, Falls senior Kade Pardee finished second overall with an 86, fellow senior Tristan Subatch placed 17th with a 116 and freshman Cael Thilmony tied for 23rd with a 122.

Sophomores Jesse Claridge and Colton Wormwood, and freshman Lucas Allday round out the Blue Hawk boys’ roster. These three did not play in the Bitterroot tourney Thursday.

The Hawks’ next scheduled action is in the Eureka Invitational April 9. Thompson said the Hawks will only play the first day of that two-day tourney at the Wilderness Club.

Thompson also reports that the tournament named for him, that Gary Thompson Invite mentioned earlier, has been moved to April 20 (from April 24) to accommodate the Thompson Falls High School prom dance set for that day.