Golfers hope weather cooperates

Terry Nelson probably feels more like a weatherman these days than he does a golf coach at Whitefish High School.

"A high of 42, low of 19," he said of the forecast for Monday, when the Class A state golf tournament is set to begin at Village Greens Golf Course.

"Tuesday, 43 and 37," he said of the high and low.

Nelson has been keeping a close eye on the conditions because Whitefish High School is the tournament host.

"I tell you what, the last few days I've felt like that," he said of being more like a weatherman.

"I've watched the weather channel more than the golf channel."

The tournament was originally set for Friday and Saturday, but was moved earlier in the week by the Montana High School Association to Monday and Tuesday because of weather concerns.

Play is set to begin Monday at 10 a.m. but that might be iffy at best.

"Sunday night, if it goes down to 9 degrees, who knows when we will get started," he said.

"Then we have an issue with how quickly the course thaws out. Maybe noon. If noon, a shotgun start."

Nelson said the latest play could begin on Monday and still finish that day would be 12:30 p.m.

"We've been in contact with all the schools around the state," he said.

The same goes for the 60 volunteers he needs to pull this event off.

"Every time something changes, we have to contact them," he said.

Nelson said this marks the ninth year for fall golf.

"We had one good year of weather (for state)," he said during that time.

"That was over in Sidney in 2003."

Last year for state in Polson, "we kind of missed the really bad weather. It was cold and windy. At least we got it in."

Class AA however, had state postponed twice last year.

But Nelson said his players always seem to adjust and adapt to the conditions.

"At practice tonight, they didn't complain," he said.

"They were fine with it. They're ready to play."

The Whitefish boys and Billings Central girls are defending champions and favored once again.

The WHS boys have won state eight times, five since 2000. The WHS girls own 15 state championships, two since 2000.

In the last eight years, Whitefish has had two individual state champions - Sam Krause and Chris Conners.

"The girls haven't had any," he said.

"A few seconds. Not firsts."

But that could change this year.

Hamilton is expected to push Whitefish for the boys team championship. Unlike last year, Nelson is expecting a much tighter battle this year. Whitefish won state in 2008 by 30 strokes over Billings Central.

"Hamilton is pretty good," he said.

"I'm sure some of the eastern schools are looking to break into that party."

Hamilton and Whitefish have faced off three times in tournament play this fall with Hamilton finishing ahead of Whitefish twice - by three strokes at Ronan and by one at Hamilton.

Whitefish was 17 shots better than Hamilton at Polson.

Whitefish returns three talented members off last year's state championship team - Reed Platke, Joel Mallams and Zach Maassen. Platke finished second at state in 2008 as a freshman, just one shot off the pace.

Mallams tied for fourth and Maassen was 11th.

"Reed Platke and Joel Mallams are two of the best around," Nelson said.

"Zach Maassen could be right there. He's had some good tournaments as well."

Other individuals to watch for are Tyler and Jason Jessop and Eli Rogers, all of Hamilton, Eli Bowen of Lewistown, Neil Martin of Sidney and Cody Fischer of Polson.

In girls play, Whitefish hopes to challenge Billings Central, again. Last year, Central finished nine shots ahead of Whitefish. Polson was third, 10 shots behind Whitefish.

"Billings Central is probably the favorite," Nelson said.

"They've had some low scores this year.

"Laurel is pretty darn good," he added.

"Polson will be in the hunt for third place."

Individually, Whitefish has two of the top players in the state in BreAnna Cameron and Kiley McConnell of Whitefish. Cameron finished second last year at state while McConnell was eighth.

"There are a lot of Eastern Montana girls that are pretty good," Nelson said.

"Katelyn Frank of Sidney, Kyla Clancy of Billings Central and Katy Peterson of Glendive."

Frank is the defending state medalist.

Natalia Arlint of Polson is another top player. She tied for 12th last year.

Columbia Falls is also competing this year, led by Tanner Lineberry, Kelsey DeWit and Michele Hagen.

All total, there will be 72 girls and 77 boys competing at Village Greens.