McDonnell, Fitzpatrick lead Bulldog golfers in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Led by strong early-season showings from Nina McDonnell and Damien Fitzpatrick, the Bulldog golf team teed it up for the first time this season on Monday at the Lewiston Invitational.

Fitzpatrick carded an 88 to lead the boys team, followed by Lake Wilks with a 91, Nick Crowley a 92, Jacob Humrich a 95, Caelin Darling a 109 and Joel Johnson a 112 for a team score of 366 at the Clarkston Golf Course. A mistake on course rules proved costly for Crowley, who would have easily broken 90 if not for one big error. The Bulldogs were able to travel to Lewiston on Sunday and play a practice round, their first on grass, which certainly helped for Monday’s opener.

“The first time out, there’s the typical stuff you need to work on,” said Bulldogs head coach Tom Tharp. “Chipping around the green.”

McDonnell showed little rust in the opener, firing a 94 to lead the girls team to a score of 491 at Quail Ridge Golf Course. Hannah Hurst shot 105, Cheyenne Nicholson 132 and Morgan Hogue 160 for the Bulldog girls. Tharp had high praise for the play of McDonnell.

“She played really good for the first time on grass,” described Tharp. “She’s continuing where she left off last year. I expect her to be back in the 80s soon.”

Tharp wished to thank the Sandpoint Country Club for allowing the Bulldog golfers to hit on their simulation screens, a far better option than hitting into a net in the wrestling room.

“They couldn’t be nicer to us,” said Tharp of owners John Bonar and Jeff Boger.

Sandpoint is in Lewiston again next Monday.