Seniors sizzle at state golf
RIGBY — They say timing is everything, and the Sandpoint girls picked the perfect time to play their best golf of the season, turning in four solid rounds Monday on day one of the 4A Idaho State Golf Championships at Jefferson Hills Golf Course in Rigby.
A trio of seniors turned in their best rounds of the season, as Sandy Whalen (94), Michelle Stone (95) and Liz Stone (104) each dropped several strokes off their recent rounds, putting the Bulldogs in fourth place — just four strokes out of third — and ready to contend for a team trophy during today’s second and final round. Jesse Merwin shot a team-low 45 on the front nine, then had a few penalties and came in with a 58 for round of 103.
Charissa Chatburn, who was to play No. 4 for the Bulldogs, got sick and had to miss Monday’s round, elevating the already high pressure for the other four as there was no longer a throw-away score for the Bulldogs. Sandpoint head coach Jim Alsager had especially high praise for Liz Stone, who has been playing golf for just three months and came in far below what he was expecting.
“Liz shot her personal best playing in just her fourth match of the season,” said Alsager, noting she had a great practice round on Sunday. “This is the only course she has ever played twice. She is a good athlete, and like the rest of our team, has developed a mental toughness playing in all kinds of conditions.”
Whalen managed to lead the Bulldogs despite taking a nine on the first hole and hitting out of bounds on No. 10, a testament to how well she played the other 16 holes.
Colton Story, the lone Bulldog boy to qualify, had a few costly blow up holes and shot an 85, good for 27th place among the 52 boys golfers in the field. Boys head coach Mike Keough said Story, who has been regularly shooting in the 70s, was never able to find consistency with any faze of his game.
Today’s conditions figure to be even tougher, as forecasts are calling for 30-40 mile per hour winds, with gusts in the 50s. The Bulldogs have played in tough conditions all year, cutting their teeth on some very difficult North Idaho courses, a far cry from the flat and wide open track in Rigby.
“The girls said they were all hitting the ball so much better,” said Keough, who viewed much of the girls action. “The courses down here (south Idaho) are much less dramatic. They (girls team) have played some tough courses and it looks like it paid off.”
Moscow’s Chris Williams shot a two-under 69 to lead the boys field by four strokes.
SANDPOINT GIRLS — 396 (fourth place)
Michelle Stone 46–48 (94)
Sandy Whalen 49-46(95)
Liz Stone 54-50 (104)
Jessie Merwin 45–58 (103)
BOYS
Colton Story 85