Prep golf tees off

Welcome back to Class A, Libby.

The Loggers return to that familiar sporting territory this fall for the 2017-18 school year having spent the last two in the Class B ranks.

“I’m excited about Libby coming back in the conference (Northwestern A),” said veteran Columbia Falls golf coach Gene Marcille.

“I have a lot of respect for (Libby coach) Dann Rohrer and his program.”

Libby dropped down a school classification after the 2014-15 season because of enrollment numbers. That’s no longer an issue.

“It was fun the two years in B,” Rohrer said.

“We had such a big conference — 13 teams. We’re excited to be back, looking forward to it, but we enjoyed it when we were in B.

“The kids are excited about it, too,” he added.

“There were a lot of good players in B. Class A has a lot of good players and teams. It will be different, fun to be back in action.”

What’s different is the A golf season is held in the fall. Class B golf takes place in the spring.

The season opened with tournaments in Great Falls and Butte on Monday and ends the final week of September with state AA at Buffalo Hill Golf Club in Kalispell and State A in Sidney.

Class AA

Flathead

Coach Kyle Dunfee, in his second season as head coach, has one state returner back for the boys — senior Sam Elliott.

“He will be our No. 1 guy this year, our leader,” Dunfee said.

“His full swing off the tee is strong. He is very level-headed. He doesn’t get too high, or too low.”

Senior Keaden Morisaki was an alternate for the Braves last year at state.

Freshman Ezra Epperly “is already showing positive signs (with his play),” Dunfee said.

Juniors Spencer Christy and Ryan Thomson will also battle for varsity time.

“A lot of parity,” Dunfee said.

“Seven boys for five spots. The competition will be strong, fun to watch.”

The Flathead girls also return one state player — junior Cassidy Lavin.

“Her potential is definitely there,” Dunfee said of her gaining all-state honors.

“The other girls are raw, young, new, but they will be fun to coach.”

Dunfee said freshman Marcella Mercer will be a name to watch for.

“She played in nine tournaments, was the senior club champ at Buffalo Hill (this summer),” he said.

“She has the talent to do something special. Her game is strong, she loves the game. It’s her No. 1 sport.

“I’m looking forward to the year,” he added.

“It will be fun to watch both teams. I think they have a chance to be in the top half of AA, especially on the boys side.”

Glacier

This marks the Wolfpack’s 11th season on the links and Jim Schaible has been there for every one of them, first as an assistant and now in his fifth season as the head coach.

“I’m looking forward to a fun season,” he said.

“I have the most optimistic bunch of kids that I’ve had in a long time, hard workers. All will try hard to get on that varsity team.”

The boys will be led by seniors AJ Grande and Brayden Aurich.

“A very long baller, hits the ball extremely long,” Schaible said of Grande.

“He’s working hard on wedges and putting. That will make the difference in his score. He knows that. My goal for him is to get at least all-state (place in top 15 at state). That’s doable for him.”

Schaible calls Aurich a solid player, who has “a pretty good short game.”

At state last year, he missed all-state honors by four strokes.

Both were also state players as sophomores.

Ethan Purdy, a freshman, will also be on the varsity roster.

“I think the boys will be pretty solid,” he said.

The girls top player will be junior Kate Trunkle.

“She has a good swing, a lot of ability,” Schaible said.

“She could slip into all-state (mention).”

He said his girls “have to do a lot of work, but I’m hoping they will surprise me, do better.”

Class A

Columbia Falls

The help wanted sign, or should I say players wanted, is out for the girls program.

“I know we will get a couple girls out, but how many, or who, I don’t know,” Marcille said.

“I’m trying to convince girls that it’s a great opportunity for them if they don’t participate in any other sport.”

Right now, there are no girls on the roster.

The boys have two state participants back in senior Logan Lybbert and sophomore Tyler Langton.

LJ Panasuk, a senior, could miss the entire season because of an injury. He also advanced to state.

Juniors Trey Perkins and Reush Powell will also battle for varsity action.

“Both played last year,” Marcille said of Perkins and Powell.

“Both worked on their game this summer.”

With the retirement of longtime assistant coach Dan Frankino, who was with the program for 20 years, Marcille has added Andrew Letrich, the pro at Glacier View Golf Course in West Glacier, and TJ Ray, the assistant pro at Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls to his coaching staff.

“We’re lucky to have a couple of guys of that quality,” Marcille said.

“That increases the opportunity for kids to have quality instruction.”

Libby

Mention golf in this town and the first name that pops up is Ryggs Johnston.

Now a junior, he is a two-time Class B state champion.

Johnston shot 61-67—128 at the Marias Valley Golf Course in Shelby in mid-May for a 14-shot victory at the state tournament. His total score was 16-under par, which broke his own all-class record he set as a freshman by three strokes in state play at Huntley’s Pryor Creek Golf with a 68-63—131 (11-under par). He finished six shots ahead of the field that year.

“He’s pretty much in prime form,” Rohrer said of his standout for the fall season.

“He’s never played high school golf where he’s gone into it with a lot of practice. In the spring (season), you jump in and go. It’s pretty limited.”

Following the spring season, Johnston played in summer tournaments around the state in preparation for the fall campaign.

“Just a special kid, neat kid, a good leader,” Rohrer said of Johnston.

“We’ve had some pretty good players out of Libby, but he’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind. He works at the game, plays and practices. He’s played quite a bit, a lot this summer, but the game is still fun for him. It’s important we keep it fun for him. He has a great attitude. He wants to win it both ways (as an individual and with a team).”

Libby returns all four players from its state tournament team — Andrew Freese is a junior while Riley Vogel and Sebo Sanders are sophomores.

“The kids are working at their game, getting better,” Rohrer said.

Rohrer had two freshman on the girls roster last year and both return — Sydney Croucher and Allie Snyder.

“We have six new girls (this year),” he said.

“They are good athletes, working at it. It will be fun to see what they do.”

Polson

Veteran coach Bill Owen returns talent on both squads, boys and girls.

Back for the girls are sophomores Cali Cannon and Esme Yarbrough and junior Amanda Farley.

“We should have a pretty good season,” Owen said.

“The only problem I have is just four (players) on my team. We have to use all my scores. That means they all have to hold it together to do well in tournaments.”

The other member of the varsity is freshman Berkley Ellis.

“She will be a real good addition for us,” he said.

“Cannon played in Missoula League, got some good tournament experience (over the summer). She has a drive in her game, really wants to get better. She’s already putting a lot of time in practice doing the things you need to do. All the girls are working hard.”

The Polson boys will be led by three-state placer Carson McDaniel. The senior finished third last year at state.

“One of his bigger (assets) is he stays pretty cool under fire, always calm,” Owen said.

“He doesn’t let things get him out of his game. He’s very composed when he golfs.”

Matt Hobbs, now a junior, was 10th at state a year ago.

“He’s worked the hardest,” Owen said.

“Carson and him will have a pretty good go at each other this year. Matt’s game has gotten better each year. I’m looking for big things out of him.”

The other all-state returner is sophomore Trey Kelley, who finished 12th.

“Our top three players are back,” Owen said.

“Right now we have to improve our fourth and fifth players. They have work to do.”

Polson welcomes back senior Hogan Kelley, who missed last year because of an injury. He saw limited varsity action as a sophomore.

Calvin Nowlan, a junior who put in a lot work at the course over the summer, and Colby Devlin, a sophomore, are two more players to watch for.

The Polson girls were seventh at state last year. The boys were second behind Hamilton.

Whitefish

Bill Kahle, in his second year as head coach, has a good mix of talented veterans and promising newcomers.

The boys return two state players in junior Brendon Buls and senior Jamie Schwartz.

Freshman Cameron Kahle, sophomores Andrew Brozek, Eric Miller and Grant Kahle along with junior Ryan Kemm are also ready to contribute.

Kemm did not play last year because of an injury.

“He’s playing really well,” coach Kahle said of Cameron Kahle.

“He’s playing a lot of golf,” he said of Brozek. “He was a varsity player last year, but didn’t make it to state. He made it to a lot of varsity tournaments.

“(Miller) made good strides in his game,” the coach continued.

“(Grant Kahle) saw varsity action (last year). He’s been working on his game pretty hard this summer.”

Coach Kahle is expecting a memorable final season for senior Gracie Young.

“She placed at state last year, had a phenomenal tournament at Hamilton,” he said.

“She’s been at the golf course all summer long, working on her game. I’m really excited to see how this year comes together for her.”

Sophomore Megan Archibald also made the state trip for the Bulldogs last year.

“She played well at the Whitefish club championship,” he said.

“Again, I”m hoping for a great season from Megan.”

Coach Kahle has high hopes for sophomore Ella Shaw.

“She played very, very well for us last year,” he said.

“It looks like she worked quite a bit on her game this summer. She has great potential to make it to state.”

Shaw did not qualify for the state tournament last year.

“Lots of girls are battling for that fourth (spot), he said.

“We’re very, very young. We have a lot of incoming freshman.”