Sandpoint golf teams eyeing state

SANDPOINT — Seniors Dan Sommerfield and Colton Story will fill the No. 1 and No. 2 positions on the Bulldog boys varsity golf team this year, but they could just as easily be No. 1A, and No. 1B for all intents and purposes.

Long time SHS golf coach Mike Keough says both of his lanky, long-hitting seniors are capable of flirting with par in any given round, and expects them to lead the way in 2009.

“Those two should be pretty consistently in the 70s this year,” said Keough of the duo. “Both have shown they can go low. Right now it’s just a matter of getting some touch.”

Therein lies the rub for Sandpoint golfers, who spend the first month or so of their season hitting into nets and putting on strips of fake grass on the gym floor. Monday marked the first time they played on grass at the Lewiston Invite, and predictably, the scores weren’t as low as they’ll be later in the year.

Story led the team with an 80, followed by Sommerfield with an 84, Ben Murray with a 100, Chris Rhyne with a 101 and Terry Taylor with a 108.

Keough is still juggling the lineup, trying to establish who will fill his five varsity spots. Right now he says senior Chris Rhyne is a solid No. 3 in the lineup, with Mike and Chris Lewis tentatively slated for the last two spots. Then again, it’s tough to evaluate who can do what in the middle school gym.

“Chris Rhyne came on strong last year,” said Keough. “Both of the Lewis boys are capable of shooting in the 80s.”

Sandpoint, which in a good sign finished sixth out of 14 teams Monday at Bryden Canyon, will battle for the district title with Moscow, who’s led by Chris Williams, the consensus top player in the state. Keough said the sixth place finish was higher than usual at the first meet.

Leading the girls team this season will be senior Michelle Stone and sophomore Jesse Webster, the top two returning varsity players from last year.

“They could both be No. 1’s; that lineup could be bumping back and forth this year,” said head coach Jim Alsager of his two top players. “It’s nice to have two No. 1’s.”

Senior Sandy Whalen also returns with varsity experience, and opens the season as a solid No. 3 in the order. Morgan Braun, Charissa Chatburn, Katie Chambers and Lauren Marshall all figure to be battling for the final two spots on varsity.

Alsager is also encouraged by the turnout of seniors Christina Wilson and Liz Stone, both of whom are new to golf but have the potential to improve with practice.

“They’re both really athletic,” said Alsager. “By the end of the season they could challenge for that No. 5 spot.”

Alsager added that the Bulldogs had a bad taste in their mouth after losing to Moscow at districts this season, and are fired up to get back to state as a team.

Only three players made the trip to Lewiston on Monday, as many of the regular players were tied up with prior engagements. Michelle Stone carded a 95 to lead the team, followed by Morgan Braun (106) and Charissa Chatburn (131).