The Seeley-Swan Blackhawks won the team title at the State Golf tournament at Double Arrow Golf Course. This is the second state title in three years for the team. Pictured (L-R): Shane Lindemer, Coach Mike Lindemer, McKinley Nicholas, Coach Wayne Cahoon, Malachi Nicholas, Coach Dave Nicholas and Bo Jungers.
Senior McKinley Nicholas, the defending state champion, drives off a tee on the back nine. Nicholas came back from a two stroke deficit after day one to come within a putt of winning back-to-back titles.
Senior Shane Lindemer carries his clubs to the next hole. Lindemer finished 15th in the tournament to help the Blackhawks win the overall title.
Senior Jessie Hood, Seeley-Swans only female team member, concentrates on her putt.
SEELEY LAKE-The Seeley-Swan High School boys golf team finished first in the Class C State golf tournament, held at the Double Arrow Golf Course Wednesday, May 17. This is the second state title for the Blackhawks in the last three years.
The team, made up of seniors McKinley Nicholas, Bo Jungers, Shane Lindemer and freshman Malachi Nicholas, opened the tournament with a combined score of 262 on Tuesday to gain an 8-stroke lead. A strong showing on Wednesday of 252 secured their title. Their overall score of 514 was 15 strokes ahead of Park City in second place.
"To come here the second day and play like they did... it was a good finish," said Coach Wayne Cahoon.
McKinley (82-80) led the Blackhawks on both days. The defending state champion was looking to claim his second title in a row.
The hometown favorite was two strokes down at the end of day one, tied for third place. A cold, rainy morning on day two started out rough for the four golfers in his group. At the finish of the first nine holes, McKinley remained two strokes back.
"I had a really rough front nine," said McKinley. "It's hard to come back from that."
But comeback he did. On the 17th hole, McKinley shot the only par for the hole, which tied him for first with Reed Wasson of Harlowton.
On the last hole, both golfers hit almost identical shots onto the final green. McKinley's third shot landed 10-15 feet closer than Wasson's, leaving him a chance to birdie to the title.
Wasson shot first, and the ball just tipped into the hole. It came down to one shot by McKinley to force a playoff.
He came up inches short.
"I expected to win obviously," said McKinley. "It looked like I had the advantage there but he just sank the long putt and it's hard to beat that."
McKinley drew some satisfaction from being able to help his team win the overall title.
"We won it sophomore year too, I remember that. That was really good," he said. "I'm proud of the way the other guys played."
Malachi shot 83 on the second day to move from seventh to fifth. Lindemer finished 15th with 181. Jungers was disqualified from individual competition on day one after picking his ball up before he finished a hole.
Seeley Swan's only female golfer senior Jessie Hood shot a combined score of 247 to finish 29th.
The team loses four of its five members next year but Cahoon isn't worried.
"We'll still be okay next year," said Cahoon.
Perhaps it'll be another Nicholas brother on the podium next year.
Boys Results Individual Scores:
2. McKinley Nicholas (82-80-162)
5. Malachi Nicholas (88-83-171)
10. Shane Lindemer (92-89-181)
Girls Results
29. Jessie Hood (113-134-247)
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