Golf season ends for some as Hawk girls head to state

The 2023 high school golf season may be over for some but the sport can be a lifetime passion. Senior Colton Wormwood told his coach Doree Thilmony the day after the divisionals, that he was headed out to play golf.

Last Tuesday golfers from Plains and Thompson Falls were able to compete in the Divisional Tournament at the Indian Springs Golf Club in Eureka. The 18-hole course is spread out over rolling hills of elevation changes and boasts an unusual 71 par course that has a challenging par three at the third hole.

It's been several years since Thompson Falls has had a girls golf team. This year the team spearheaded the dream of qualifying for state by winning third place at divisional with a team score of 447. Jefferson High School won first place with a score of 398 and Florence-Carlton came in second with a score of 438. Ellie Baxter, with an 83-stroke, eight-par game and best of the season, won second place. "Ellie was strong off the tee yesterday. She looks to work on putting this week and hopes to lower the short game for her state showing," said Thilmony.

Aubrey Baxter placed 15th with a score of 112. She also lowered her score and shot one at par. Addi Pardee scored one of her lowest scores, a 114 with one par; Emma Claridge scored a 138 and Addy Deal a 140. "I was very proud of our girls team and look forward to how they compete at the state tournament next week," said Thilmony after the divisional round.

The Blue Hawk boys team improved their team score by 48 strokes from divisionals last season. The competition is progressively getting tougher for the boys as the highest score going to state is an 82. Cael Thilmony scored a 94 with five pars; Theo Nygaard reduced his strokes hitting a 97 with 3 pars; Alex Sweeden scored a 108, Jesse Claridge a 109 and Wormwood a 112, achieving four pars.

"They battled and rebounded after some tough holes. We will miss our outgoing senior boys, but look forward to building for the future. I know they walk away with the love of the game and will continue to play golf for many years to come," said Thilmony.

The tournament wasn't quite up to par for the Plains Horsemen and Trotters. "It was a tough finish, but we all know that there is work to do. We will learn from this season and work to do better next year," said Coach Lisa Brown.

Jayden Weeks shot a 99, Brandt Snead a 101, Kort Craft a 112, Isaiah Paseman a 116, Drew Carey a 126 and Hallie Corbin a 154.

The results from the state tournament in Shelby were unavailable by press time and will be in next week's paper.