Golf leagues at Marian Hills

The Men's Golf League at Marian Hills held their fifth game of the 2020 season last Thursday, June 11. The Women's Golf League held their third meeting on Wednesday, June 10.

The PCN caught up with Sheriff Jerry Lytle who plays for Team Bank of Malta, and has been golfing well over the past weeks, scoring the highest point total in weeks three and four. At the time Bank of Malta was in fourth place.

"I think we are improving because everyone comes up here a couple of times a week to practice," Sheriff Lytle said.

Though the day was windy, Sheriff Lytle said that the weather was great.

"This is one of the nicer nights that we have had," he said.

Team Prairie Designs is still on top of the standings with a total of 99 points. Team Mint Bar is second with 92.5, and Team Bank of Malta is third with 92.

Team Westside Casino gained the most steam last week, scoring a game-high 27.5 points. Team Prairie Designs was second with 19.5.

Individually, Gordon Webb had a low gross of 36. John Sautter had the low net with 30. At #6 Dean Yeadon had the long drive. Jeff Howard was Closest to #4, and Josh Sorlie was Closest to #7. Dave Broadbrooks had the longest putt on hole nine.

Hole #4 at Marian Hills is known for its large water hazard that golfers have to go over or around to reach the green. This hazard gives problems to even the most experienced of golfers around Phillips County.

"I barely get over it half of the time," Jason Hanlon of Team Phillips County Insurance said. "If I just slow down my swing, hit a good shot, and keep my head down, I can usually get over it."

He believed that he had a good hit with his 8-iron but the ball skipped quickly across the water.

"I thought I was going to skip on to the green but that never happened," Hanlon said. "It's just water, and it gets inside your head."

He said if it were any other hole, you would still be on grass, but at hole #4 you lose your ball and a stroke.

Hanlon, who joined Men's League in 2019, lives near Zortman and works for the Nature Conservancy. He is originally from New Mexico, went to school in Malta, and had lived in Boston for ten years before moving back to Phillips County.

"I'm the D golfer," he said. "I am the one with the most to gain and the most hills to climb."

Hanlon said that when he joined last season, the league seemed "super-intimidating" at first. He also mentioned that he showed up with golf clubs made in the '70s.

"It was hard but the cool thing about golf is you get out there and you realize that everybody struggles," Hanlon said. "And everyone is so nice. It was really intimidating the first couple of rounds but after the third or fourth week, I settled in and had a lot of fun."

In Women's League last Wednesday, individually, Kate Webb and Toni Bishop tied for low gross, with a total of 47. Eunice Simonson was the low net with 33. Amanda Ziegler scored 10 points, which was the highest. Kayla Howard and Bishop both had the bogeys in week 3. Webb went par twice.

Team Tin Cup leads the Women's Team Standings with 73 points. Team First State Bank is second with 69.50, Team Art's Furniture is third with 60.50, and Team Bank of Malta is fourth with 44.50.