Blue Ponies tee off on home course

One year ago, the Havre High Golf Tournament was washed out by a severe thunderstorm. But fast forward one year, and not only were there no thunderstorms for the annual meet, but there was a lot of really good golf played under ideal conditions.

Good scores were especially the theme for the Havre High boys as the Blue Ponies rolled to the team title at the 2015 Havre High Golf Tournament held Thursday at Prairie Farms Golf Course. The Ponies easily toppled teams from Lewistown and Browning, and junior varsity squads from Great Falls High and CMR.

On the flip side, the Pony girls made the most of the day, finishing third behind a powerful team from Browning, as well as Central A rival Lewistown.

“I’m pretty pleased with how the kids played,” said HHS third-year head coach Brett Gilman. “We had some really good scores from some of the kids and some scores we think could have been better. But it’s early in the season yet, and there’s plenty of time to improve. So I’m pleased with the way the day went.”

The loaded HHS boys squad, which was coming off a Top Six finish at the season-opening Great Falls Invitational, should be especially pleased with Thursday’s round. Havre scored a 315 to beat second-place Lewistown by a whopping 44 strokes. The Eagles are the defending Central A champs, but after Thursday’s tourney, it looks as though no one in the conference will slow down the Ponies.

Junior Dustin Haas led the way with a solid 76, which tied him for first place with Lewistown’s Tyrell Walter. Walter was awarded medalist honors via the scorecard tiebreaker, but Haas still put together a strong round of golf. And right behind Haas’ strong day was HHS senior Jeff Miller, who carded an even-par 36 on the front nine, and finished with a 77 for third-place honors.

Havre has been very consistent through its lineup so far this season, and Thursday was no different. Senior Jerod Boles and junior Aden Passon each scored rounds of 81 to easily tie for forth, while junior Kane Gabrielsen came in with a round of 85, good enough for sixth place.

From the junior varsity ranks, junior Trey Hanson carded a 91, while Hondo Owens shot 97.

On the girls side, the Ponies couldn’t quite catch up to Browning and Lewistown, but Havre’s young squad, with just two seniors at the top of the lineup, showed plenty of promise on a beautiful day at Prairie Farms, where conditions were near perfect for golf.

While Browning was the only girls team to break 400, Havre finished the day with a 438, led by senior Payton Howard’s round of 93. Howard was playing in her first varsity tournament since her sophomore season, and she played well from start to finish, and the round landed her in fourth place overall. Fellow senior Randi Gabrielsen shot 104.

The day was also good experience for HHS’s younger golfers on the girls team. Sophomore Regan Lammers scored a 119, while freshman Teagan Fee shot 122 and sophomore Grace Litzinger rounded out the scoring with a 124. Freshman Kinzee Peterson was the ponies’ top JV player with a 121.

While the day was highly success for the Ponies, the turnaround to another big tournament will be quick. Havre recently added the Belgrade Invitational to its schedule, and will travel to Bozeman’s Riverside Country Club for that tournament Monday. The Ponies also head to the Browning Invite next Thursday.

Havre High Golf Tournament

At Prairie Farms

BOYS

Team Scores

Havre 315, Lewistown 359, Great Falls High 396, CMR 441, Browning N/S.

Teams

Havre – Dustin Haas 38-38-76; Jeff Miller 36-41-77, Jerod Boles 41-40-81; Aden Passon 39-42-81; Kane Gabrielsen 39-46-81.

Lewistown – Tyrell Walter 37-39-76, Jace Davis 44-41-85; Kody Neil 48-44-92, Zack Jensen 54-52-106, Trevor Ward 68-48-116.

GFH – Keeghan Lauver 48-49-97, Tyson St. John 52-45-97, Blake Othiem 50-50-100, Cole Hendrickson 51-51-102; Alec Good 53-66-119.

CMR – Zane Ptratz 50-49-99, Landon Blades 59-55-114, Tucker Pietrykowski 54-55-109, Paul Morris 59-60-119, Taylor Houtz 56-75-131.

Browning – Trae Kennerly 46-42-88, Chance Smith 48-47-95, Kevin Gallagher 72-62-134.

Havre JV – Trey Hanson 46-45-91, Hondo Owens 50-47-97, Gavin Mosbrucker 53-50-103, Tucker Carlson 62-51-113, Ryan Bakke 58-57-115, Kyle Kirkpatrick 66-52-118, Nic Keller 70-54-124.

GIRLS

Team Scores

Browning 387, Lewistown 403, Havre 438, Great Falls High 446, CMR 539.

Teams

Havre – Payton Howard 45-48-93, Randi Gabrielsen 52-52-104, Regan Lammers 63-56-119, Teagan Fee 60-62-122, Grace Litzinger 64-60-124.

Browning – Summer Kennerly 42-47-89, Tiara Gilham 44-41-85, Sarah Harrison 50-47-97, Gracie Snow 64-52-116, Ranessa Skunkcap 63-54-117.

Lewistown – Kinsey Irvin 43-39-82, Abby Gremeaux 55-53-108, Karlie Southworth 58-48-106, Madison Lewis 55-52-107, Audra Fry 67-65-132.

GFH – Blake Remy 51-47-98, Izzy Brown 53-52-105, Katrina Adkins 65-56-121, Megan Fehres 61-61-122.

CMR – Carly Cushman 64-57-121, Janae Voss 76-68-144, Becca Bergman 77-68-145, Nichole Linder 76-68-144, Mariah Williamson 72-70-142.

Havre JV – Kinzee Peterson 61-60-121, Jordan Keith 66-63-129, Marcee Murphy 65-66-131, Mackenzie Tilleman 69-60-129.