Laurel's Carson Hackmann, Hannah Adams win tight competition at Eastern A Divisional golf

BILLINGS — Laurel’s Carson Hackmann and Billings Central’s Nick Pasquarello battled atop the boys leaderboard, with Hackmann winning medalist honors with a one-round 73 Thursday at the Eastern A divisional golf tournament at Lake Hills Golf Course.

Pasquarello came in second, one shot back with a two-over 74.

Laurel sisters Hannah Adams and Haylee Adams were also separated by one stroke in the girls competition. Hannah Adams won the individual crown after shooting a first-round 79. Haylee Adams came in second with an 80

The top five individuals on the boys side was rounded out by Central’s Malachi Stewart (79), Lewistown’s Jake Henderson (80) and Miles City’s Ryder Lee (81). Karsyn Swigart of Miles City and Breana Jensen of Laurel tied for third in the girls tourney, each with a one-round 85. Alivia Webinger of Laurel also placed in the top five with a 90.

The top four teams, consisting of five golfers each, earned automatic berths to the state tournament, which will be held Oct. 1-2 at the Butte Country Club.

Billings Central’s boys and Laurel’s girls took home championships. The Rams, who shot a combined 319, prevailed by five strokes over second-place Laurel in the boys standings, while Laurel won comfortably in the girls standings with a one-round total of 334, 61 shots ahead of second-place Sidney.

Havre (359) and Livingston (360) also placed in the top four of the boys standings. Livingston (408) and Havre (463) joined the top-four of the girls tournament.

In addition to the top four boys and girls teams advancing to the state tournament, the top 30 individuals with the lowest scores qualified.

Whitefish's Cam Kahle, Corvallis' Macee Greenwood take home Western A divisional golf titles

With COVID-19 restrictions, golf tournaments have largely been limited to one-day events.

On the individual side of things, it was Whitefish's Cameron Kahle who came away with the best score of the day for the boys, and Corvallis' Macee Greenwood had the low score of the day on the girls scorecard.

Kahle, a senior, shot an even-par 72 to win, followed closely by his teammate Billy Smith, who shot a 74.

"I couldn't get anything to fall coming down the stretch, but I made some good saves and was able to scratch out an even-par," said Kahle. "I came into this week with pretty low expectations. I had a back injury situation, got that figured out and hit a draw all day and was able to feel it around the golf course. Happy with how I played (Saturday)."

Heading into the week of state, Kahle obviously is eyeing the title, but he also had an overall goal for his senior season to shoot a combined 10-under par in tournaments and is close heading into state.

Regardless of his individual performance, Kahle is more than confident in his team.

In the boys team rankings, Whitefish also came away with the combined low score of the day with a 308. Whitefish golfers Marcus Kilman and Johnny Nix shot 80 and 82, respectively.

"Coming into this year I knew we were going to be the best," said Kahle. "I mean, we're the best team out here, there's no question about it. If we go out next Thursday and Friday and do what we're supposed to do, then there's not a chance in hell anyone can beat us."

Hamilton came in second with a combined score of 332. Polson came in third with a score of 351.

On the girls side, Greenwood ruled the day with her 2-over 74

"I think I played pretty steady," said Greenwood. "I was in the fairway, hit a lot of greens, then didn't make any putts but didn't three-putt, which always helps."

Heading into state Greenwood said she just needs to put together a consistent tournament.

"Getting mentally focused and just hitting a bucket of balls a day," said Greenwood. "I just want to put two good rounds together and see what happens."

In the team standings, Corvallis came in third with a combined score of 400. Polson came in second, shooting a 397, and Whitefish swept with their girls winning with a score of 379.

Here are the final scores from all 95 players:

Boys:

GIRLS