Huskie golfers eye return to Class 2A state tourney

With the re-opening of Pawhuska Country Club, they have ceased to be the golf team without a golf course.

But, Pawhuska High School Huskie golfers could still use all the community support possible as they attempt a return to Oklahoma’s Class 2A state tournament on May 11-12. A state qualifier round is to be played April 27 followed by the 2A Regionals on Monday, May 4.

Monty Unruh is coach of the PHS golf team, which may also have a Lady Huskie squad competing.

The Huskies will tune up for the state events by playing at Pawnee and Ketchum this week. They also are scheduled to compete in a tournament Monday, April 20, at The Greens in Oologah. On Wednesday, April 22, the PHS team will play at the country club in Perry.

“All of the tournaments cost something to enter,” longtime Huskie golf team sponsor Mark Helmer said. “Just feeding a bunch of teenagers can get pretty expensive, especially when they’ve been playing all day.”

In between those last two tourneys, the Huskies are planning to host a potato bake fundraiser on Tuesday, April 21. The event is expected to be held at the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church.

Last week, the Huskie golf team played its way to a second-place finish in a high school tournament at Nowata Country Club. PHS junior Bailey Thompson garnered medalist honors at the event, while freshman Reese Collins placed third in the individual scoring and junior Tucker Helmer finished sixth.

Other members of the Pawhuska squad are Trent Hughes and Diego Kilpatrick. John BigHorse, who has been recovering from knee surgery, is expected to be join the team soon.

A year ago, the Huskie golfers qualified for the 2A state tournament and wound up with an 11th place overall finish. Thompson, at 37th, was the team’s top individual finisher. Helmer and Hughes also competed.