By Tiffany L. Rehbein
A high school career is not quite completed for one, and, for the other, his career might not ever end.
Lisa Wagner and Nick Obie, who completed their Havre High School golf season one month ago, have been selected to play at the Montana All-Star Invitational golf tournament.
In its ninth year, the tournament features the top two boys' and girls' state finishers of all classes and gives them the opportunity to be crowned champion. Some third-place finishers were invited and, if any there were any ties, both golfers were invited.
"Winners and runners-up are guaranteed an invitation," said Jim Thompson, tournament organizer. "When the top finishers cannot attend, we invite some third-place finishers."
Nineteen golfers will take part in this year's event.
At the State Class A tournament, Wagner finished third, where she fired an 84-89-173 during the two-day, 36-hole meet. Her finish landed her All-State honors. She helped the Ponies to not only advance to the state meet, but also to place seventh overall.
Wagner, who completed her senior season at Havre, was crowned the Central A divisional champion. She fired a 95 and led the Blue Ponies to the divisional crown.
Her 173 at state is the second-best state score in Havre High School history. She also finished her career with the second-best season average, 94.1.
In the school record books, Wagner has the fourth-lowest 9-hole score 42 shot at Whitefish (2000). During day one of the state meet this season, Wagner's 84 tied her for the second-lowest 18-hole score in school history.
On the boys' side at state, Obie knocked down a 15-foot putt to tie for first place. During the four-hole playoff, Jeff Dooley of Polson chipped in the first shot to claim the gold.
Obie finished the tournament with a 73-74-147 for second place. That score landed him the lowest tournament score in Havre High School history.
Dooley has been invited to the all-star tournament, which will be held at the Valley View Golf Club in Bozeman. The golfers will play 36 holes, all on Friday, during the competition. They shot a practice round on Thursday.
Obie placed second at the Central A divisional, firing a 76. The Havre Blue Pony boys' golf team placed first at divisional and third at state.
Obie, after just two years of varsity competition, is a two-time All-State selection and he holds the lowest season average in Havre High history at 75.5. He is also No. 1 at Havre High with the best 18-hole score. He shot a 70 at Havre this season.
Joining Obie and Dooley from the Class A will be Colt Vanderwerker from Billings Central.
On the girls' side, Brianne Woods of Laurel leads the Class A. Woods, the state Class A champion, is also the defending girls' champion at the all-star tournament (167). Last year's boys' champion, Nathan Bailey of Laurel (142), graduated in 1999.
The boys' record is 140, set by Andy Chansley of Bozeman in 1998. Shannon McDonald of Bozeman fired a tournament record 151, also in 1998.
Participants
Boys
Class AA Mike Hanson, CMR; Josh Peterson, Butte
Class A Jeff Dooley, Polson; Nick Obie, Havre; Colt Vanderwerker, Billings Central
Class B Craig Revier, Plains; Andy Hessen, Three Forks
Class C Chase Simmons, Brockton; Scott McLindon, St. Regis
Girls
Class AA Eileen Spindler, CMR; Devon Newell, Helena; Megan McDonald, Bozeman
Class A Brianne Woods, Laurel; Amber Griffith, Miles City; Lisa Wagner, Havre; Ashley Griffith, Miles City; Lisa Winslow, Whitefish
Class B Jasi Acharya, Columbus; Amanda Schulte, Big Timber
Class C Jacque Stevens, St. Regis
