Photos and stat sheets courtesy of Kelly Hinthorn
The Bonners Ferry Badgers met the Timberlake Tigers on the green at Twin Lakes Village Golf Course in Rathdrum Monday for the Intermountain League title, and they fought not only their opponents or the vagaries of the course, they were also challenged by tempestuous weather that ranged from sun to cloud-darkened skies that brought rain, wind and hail. But the Badger boys and girls golf teams never lost their focus or their drive and both came home with their 2024 district champion titles and a trip to the state 3A Championship Tournament next Monday and Tuesday May 13-14.
And this year’s tourney will be held in North Idaho on the very course the Badgers just played, with near-perfect weather forecast!
Eli Blackmore and the phenomenal Badger Bayer twins had an exceptional day on the 72-par course on Monday, with Eli carding an 80, Braylyn an 83 and Avery 85 to lead their Badger teams to decisive wins.
Rounding out the scoring for the Badger boys were Chago Jiminez, 90, Payton Hinthorn, 92, a personal best, Tyson Tadlock, 100, and Jacob Bliss, 109, good for a team score of 362 — a 90-stroke win over the Tigers’ 452.
Payden DeVore led the Timberlake effort with 93 strokes, followed by Harry Hunter, 104, Tyler Sells, 121, Caden Bates, 134, and Drew Potts, 138.
Callie Bateman came in third for the Badger girls with a 110, followed by Sydney Hinthorn, who, like her brother, is a first-year golfer and also set a personal best
Monday with 112 strokes, and Nolie Hiatt carding 120 to round out their team score of 390.
Timberlake didn’t field a full team so did not post a team score. Malia Miller posted a 97 to lead the Lady Tigers, followed by Ashley Wilson, 121, and Maddiey Longo, 128. Addison Hunter was a no show.
