Libby's Malyevac fifth at Class A state golf
Libby head golf coach Dann Rohrer celebrates Reece Malyevac's fifth-place finish at the Class A state golf tournament with Rob Malyevac, Reece's dad and one of Rohrer's former players. (Photo courtesy Dann Rohrer)
Libby Logger golfer Reece Malyevac capped his senior season with a fifth-place finish at the Montana Class A Golf Championship in Sidney.
Malyevac was making his third straight trip to state. He placed 18th at the last two state tourneys.
“Wow, what a bittersweet state tournament,” Loggers head coach Dann Rohrer said. “Knowing that this is it, after four absolutely fantastic years with this super young man was kinda sad!
“However knowing you’re coaching a player that is considered one of the favorites to win it all was sweet! Reece and Ryggs (Johnston) shared many similarities especially as to how hard they worked at the game. Golf is a hard sport and as all sports do they take a tremendous amount of time and commitment!
Rohrer said going to state three times is hard to do.
“With a one-day divisional qualifier if you play one bad hole in just 18 holes you could be out of the running!” Rohrer said.
The long-time head coach said Malyevac played great at state with maybe only one or two bad swings.
“He was affected by a 35 mph wind gust or he could have won it all. Finishing fifth was a great accomplishment also knowing he had beaten the guys ahead of him at earlier tournaments,” Rohrer said.
Rohrer said he had never seen so many coaches and players come up to him and say they were pulling for Malyevac.
“That is a testament to what kind of a kid he is!” Rohrer said.
The coach said Malyevac has designed a logo for our Libby’s new golf shirts. He also said there are many colleges who would love to have him as a player or teammate.
Rohrer was also very appreciative to the support the Libby community has given to the sport and its golfers.
“Many thanks to Cabinet View, Pro Jeff Dooley, Joe Cielak and all those that continue to support youth golf in Libby,” Rohrer said. “ At divisionals and State I had numerous people ask how we keep turning out great golfers from Ben Graham and his brothers, Robert Malyevac and their state championship team, also the girls champions, Jimmy and Jackie Mee, Ryggs Johnston, Reece Malyevac the list goes on and on! Libby should be proud of all the success our golfers have achieved!”
Malyevac was second at the Western Divisional tournament on Sept. 21. He won invitationals at Libby, Columbia Falls, Polson and Corvallis. He shot a 66 at Cabinet View Golf Club to win the Libby Invite.