Libby trio heads to state golf
Sharing her time between volleyball and golf, Libby High School’s Jackie Mee certainly doesn’t have a lot of free time.
But the rewards are sweet with Mee playing on a successful Lady Loggers volleyball squad while qualifying for the Class A State Golf Tournament.
“It has worked out better than you would expect Š I haven’t had any conflicts,” Mee said. “The last time I played in Polson, I went from playing golf in the morning to playing volleyball in Whitefish that night.”
Libby’s Mee along with Zach Watson and Eric Anderson will compete for state honors on Friday and Saturday at Polson Bay Golf Course. While Friday presents no problems, Mee will play both sports on day two. However, the spikers will play in Ronan, a mere 13 miles down the road from Polson. Mee wasn’t going to take part in Thursday’s practice round.
“I think it’s a great combination of the two,” LHS golf coach Dann Rohrer said. “It’s neat that she has the opportunity. Golf and volleyball are a pretty good mix. Š Some of Jackie’s best games (in volleyball) have been after playing golf.”
Neither of Libby’s golf teams qualified for state this year but Watson, Anderson and Mee each punched their ticket by finishing in the top 15 at divisionals. Watson seems to be peaking at the right time.
“I hit the ball straight all day. I had good putts and chips,” said Watson, adding that driving is his best asset. “I think I have a good chance Š I shot good there once already.”
All three have experience on the Polson course. And based on its layout, the golfers from the west might have an advantage.
“Polson sets up very well for all three of our players,” Rohrer said. “The back 9 plays pretty similar to our golf course in that it’s tree-lined. A lot of the kids from the east come over here and it’s a little different hitting in between those trees. For us, it’s the same thing.”
Watson had rounds of 85 and 86 at last year’s state tournament at Anaconda. Anderson turned in scores of 97 and 95.
Anderson said this season that he felt he was playing well and most of his scores have been in the 80s.
“Zach and Eric both have a great shot and so does Jackie,” Rohrer said. “It looks like the weather will be a little shaky Š it could be a little cool.”
Mee likes the Polson venue.
“The course kind of sets up for me; it has wide fairways so I can swing hard on the drives so I’ll be OK,” said Mee, who said she got off to a slow start last week at divisionals before finishing strong. “I played it just two weeks ago and I liked it and played pretty well. Hopefully, I’ll play pretty well again.”