Bobcat golfers take third at state

Hot Spring County High School's golf team brought home a third place finish overall from the 3A State Golf Tournament in Powell last weekend.

"We traveled to Powell last week with drive, desire, and hope," coach Jacob Smith said. "We prepared to play our at our best on a course that we have some experience with."

The start of the week had been bright and sunny, although a bit windy, but the forecast for the weekend showed rainy and miserable.

The team practiced on the course Thursday afternoon without much in the way of rain and prepared themselves to get wet on Friday.

"A few of the boys and girls struggled with their first few holes," Smith said, "but everyone seemed to find their groove. By the end of the day wet conditions and some questionable decision making left quite a few of the golfers with scores that they weren't happy with."

Smith said Hudson Roling's first round 76 was a bit lower than the golfer had hoped, even though he was leading the field. Scores the first day were higher than expected for all the golfers, not just the Cats.

Caleb DeCroo came off the greens with a 90, a score he wasn't happy with either, but in the end, it kept him in the top 10.

Jake Maksin also had a first round he wasn't happy with at 94. Logan Bartholomew and Will DeVries both hit mid-round rough patches to score 98 and 101 respectively. The boys ended day one in third place, just five strokes back from the leaders, Wheatland.

On the girl's side, the Lady Cats were ninth overall at the tournament.

Kaylee Smith golfed a 116 to place 13th, Kaili Johansen a 122 for a 26th place finish and Mya Holman swung a 134 to place 37th.

Smith had a good chance at a top 10 finish if she golfed well on day two, but that was not to be.

Arriving at the course the second day rain overnight had rendered the field unplayable and based on a decision from a few years ago, the WHSAA decided the tournament would not be called for a rain delay, but rather, would be called finished at the half-way point.

"We were understandably disappointed to miss the opportunity to battle back in the second round," coach Smith said. "The boys are also balancing pride and disappointment in our third place finish. We are proud to have proven ourselves competitive against stronger opponents in 3A, but it is difficult to be too happy about a third place finish when we know we had the ability to be champions."

In spite of being rained out their second day, two Bobcats were named to the All State team, Rolling and DeCroo. The pair placed first and tenth overall in play.

Maksin placed 20th, Bartholomew, 34th, and DeVries placed 39th.

"As their coaches, Coach Koehler and myself are proud of all that the golfers have accomplished this year," Smith said, "proud of the progress they have all made, and proud to have had the opportunity to work with such outstanding young people. 

"We want to thank all the community members, especially Mr. Donnie Bjorhus, who have helped us grow this season. We look forward to a successful Spring season and all the promise that the JV team is currently showing. Hopefully we will be ready to battle for next year's state title."