Broadus Boys Golf Team takes 9th at State

"The competition and course were tough," Broadus High School Golf Coach Chad Gatlin commented on the State Golf tournament, held last week at Double Arrow Golf Course in Seeley Lake.

The two rounds of golf were played on subsequent days on a course which featured a lot of water and trees – obstacles Eastern Montana golfers were not quite as familiar with as their Western Montana competitors. The top competitors in both boys and girls would go to Western MT teams – Caiden Hill from Manhattan Christian for the boys, and Landri Paladichuk from Ennis for the girls.

Despite the tough course and competitive nature of their opponents, Broadus golfers performed well. Troy Amsden tied for 15th place, golfing a 93 on Day 1, and an 84 on Day 2 for a final score of 177.

Clay LaPlant golfed a 96 on Days 1 and 2 to finish tied for 32nd with a 192 total.

Guille Castellanos golfed a 105 on Days 1 and 2, while Kortny Cathey golfed a 128 and 120 on respective days.

The boys team finished in 9th place – which may not seem overly impressive until the realization that Broadus didn't even have a boys golf team two years ago, and last season was the first time Clay LaPlant picked up a club.

"To be in the Top 10 at State as a team, in the second year of competition – that's impressive," Gatlin said.

Callie Williams, the lone girl for Broadus, golfed a 129 on Day 1 and a 120 on Day two to finish with a 243 total, for 29th place.

Gatlin commented on the team's performance: "The team performed well, but got frustrated a few times out on the course when they dropped shots. When they came back to the clubhouse, they realized that almost everyone else in the competition was playing the same way – the problems were happening for almost everybody."

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This gave us some confidence, and I think the experience will really help down the road."

Cathey and Williams will both return next year, from the State team, where they will use their experience to help propel the other younger golfers on to overcome challenges, such as a course with numerous obstacles, or the pressure of many watching eyes at the State Meet.

Coach Gatlin is looking to get more kids out for Golf next year, and will be holding a Youth Golf League this summer at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Broadus. This will present the opportunity for area youth to get out on the course and learn how to golf with proper coaching. Properly sized equipment will also be available for the kids. For those interested in coming out for HS Golf next season, or kids interested in the Youth Golf this summer, please contact Chad at 406-671-1785.