Reeves, Creighton lead Bulldog golf team in Cd'A

The Idaho Club set to host SHS Invitational

COEUR d’ALENE — Sophomore Jack Reeves cracked 80 for the first time this season, carding a 78 to lead Sandpoint in a strong showing on Monday at the Coeur d’Alene Invitational.

Damien Fitzpatrick shot an 85, Nick Crowley a 90, Lake Wilks a 91 and Jacob Humrich a 101 as the Bulldogs scored a season-best 344 as a team, finally breaking through to beat their 4A rivals by 10 strokes on the difficult track at Avondale Golf Course.

“This is the first time we’ve had a full team with everybody,” said Bulldogs head coach Tom Tharp, who feels Reeves can go quite a bit lower. “Jack had everything working except the putter. He had quite a few birdie putts, but couldn’t get them to drop. Tee to green we’re pretty good, but they’re going to need to improve on putting.”

Ali Creighton fired a career-low 98 to lead the Bulldog girls, followed by Caroline Hawkins at 101, Hannah Hurst at 105, Maddie Albertson at 128 and Hannah Fingel at 138 for a team score of 431 at the Hayden Lake Country Club.

Tharp credits the help of local trainer Ryan Eagan with part of his team’s success, helping the players perform a variety of golf-specific stretches. It’s paid off for Creighton, among others.

“It’s the first time she’s broken 100 in a tournament for us,” said Tharp, who feels the bar has been raised for the girls team from years past. “I got a text from Caroline complaining about her round in the 100s.”

Tharp was also pleased to announce that The Idaho Club will be hosting the Sandpoint Invitational for the first time on Tuesday, May 3, when seven Inland Empire League schools will be competing on the only Jack Nicklaus-designed course in the state of Idaho.

The Bulldogs have been able to practice out there as well, and it has helped everyone’s game considerably.

“It should be a pretty big deal,” said Tharp of the home meet. “It’s going to be a fun day for them.”

Sandpoint is at the Post Falls Invite on Thursday at the Highlands.