By George Ferguson/Havre Daily News Sports/gferguson@havredailynews.com
One week into the 2004 Havre High golf season, new head coach Carla Bolken is liking what she sees from her young Blue Pony golfers.
The HHS boys squad finished in second place on Friday afternoon at the Lewistown Invitational golf tournament held at Judith Shadows Golf Club, while the Blue Pony girls team finished a very respectable third.
The boys' tournament was captured by Billings Central with a 319 total. Havre finished 11 strokes behind the Rams and 21 strokes ahead of third-place Colstrip.
"Billings Central pretty much dominated the field," Bolken said. "But I was pretty pleased with how our boys team played. The kids are shooting pretty good scores right now, and they are playing with confidence and that is what you want to see at this point."
Senior Ben Erickson tied for medalist honors at the tournament. He and Billings Central's Rob Fust both shot 3-over-par rounds of 75. Matt Hedstrom, Anthony Wirtzberger and Brandon Job all tied for ninth place with rounds of 85. Sophomore Shawn Strand finished just out of the top 10 after shooting an 89.
"Ben Erickson had a really good day," Bolken said. "He probably could have even been a couple of shots better, but it was really nice to see him playing so well."
The HHS girls team also had a good day among very stiff competition. Havre finished in third place with a 452 total. Miles City ran away with the team title with a 387. Billings Central was second with a 432.
Sophomore Ali Ward had a solid day individually. Ward shot a 94, which was good enough to earn her a third-place finish. Senior Brittany Job also came in with a top 10 finish. Job shot a 101 to place ninth. Freshman Stacy Sheppard finished the day with a 120 and Cathy Beecher shot a 137. Freshman Haley McLain came in with a 148.
"Ali Ward played really well on Friday, and she was competing with some very good golfers," Bolken said. "And Brittany Job played much better this week. She is starting to get her confidence back. I was also pleased with Stacy Sheppard's round. She bettered her round in Great Falls by 11 strokes.
"I think this was a real positive showing for our girl's team," Bolken added. "This was some of the best competition they will face and to finish third should give them a lot of confidence for the rest of the season."
Havre will be back in action on Friday morning when it travels to Browning for the Browning Invitational. The 18-hole tournament will be played at the golf course at the East Glacier Lodge.
Lewistown Invitational at Judith Shadows GC
Boys Team Standings
1. Billings Central 319, 2. Havre 330, 3. Colstrip 351, 4. Miles City 356, 5. Lewistown 363, 6. Glendive 364, 7. Laurel 367, 8. Browning 414, 9. Hardin 419.
Top 10 Individuals
1. R. Fust, BC, 75; 2. Ben Erickson, HAV, 75; 3. (tie) S. Clancy, BC, 81; (tie) E. Clance, BC 81; 5. (tie) B. Wilbert, BC 82; (tie) K. Red Crow, BRO, 82; 7. N. Letang, COL, 83; 8. C. Dickenson, COL, 84; 9. (tie) Matt Hedstrom 85; (tie) Brandon Job, HAV 85; (tie) Anthony Wirtzberger, HAV, 85.
Girls Team Standings
1. Miles City 387, 2. Billings Central 432, 3. Havre 452, 4. (tie) Colstrip 457, (tie) Glendive 457.
Top 10 Individuals
1. R. Stepanek, BC, 91; 2. A. Floetkoetter, MC, 92; 3. Ali Ward, HAV, 94; 4. J. Rigg, BC, 95; 5. L. Hartman, MC, 97; 6. (tie) B. Hedge, MC, 98; (tie) A. Kroll, COL, 98; 8. C. Fleming, MC, 100; 9. Brittany Job, HAV, 101; 10. S. Downey, LEW, 103.
