Youth golfer tears up course

Nine-year-old golfer Ryggs Johnston of Libby has put together another exceptional run on the links this summer.

After pulling off a hole-in-one in Polson back in April, Johnston started the summer by qualifying for the state tournament at a district qualifier at Whitefish Lake. He shot an 87 with 46 on the front nine and 41 on the back. To qualify in the 13-and-under age group, competitors had to finish among the top four.

The following week, he placed 11th out of 22 boys in the 13-and-under age group at the state tourney. The event was staged at Lake Hills Golf Course in Billings. Johnston shot 169 – 84 on day one and 85 on day two.

Johnston competed on the Flathead Junior Tour in the 11-and-under age group. He won five of the six tournaments on the tour with victories at Meadow Lakes (score of 42), Cabinet View (41), Polson Bay (38), Mission Mountain (42) and Big Mountain Golf Club (41). At Whitefish Lake, Johnston finished in second one stroke behind the winner with a 46.

In the midst of his junior tour run, Johnston also played in a pro-am tourney at Cabinet View with Jared Winslow, the golf pro from Ronan.

Most recently, Johnston competed in the eighth annual Flathead Valley Junior Championship at Eagle Bend. In the 8-10 age group, he took first place at the Aug. 13 event with a 46. Johnston persevered pouring rain, high winds and cold weather to find victory. He has won the tournament in that age group two straight years.