Roling gets first hole-in-one at state

Thermopolis high school golf spent Thursday and Friday in Douglas rounding out their season at the State 3A Championships.

The week didn't start well according to coach Jacob Smith. With the potential for bad weather, everything was moved up a day causing the Bobcats to lose one day of practice rounds.

Instead of having a chance to play the course and get a feel for it, the team was playing blind. The only Cats who had played the course previously were Hudson Roling and Cade McLean.

"We didn't get to play the course, but we did get to walk it the morning of the first round, so that helped a bit," coach Smith said.

The boys struggled a bit the first day with reigning State Champion Hudson Roling shooting a 71, putting him in a dead tie in the final foursome with a player from Lander on Friday.

Day two of play started out with a little bit of rain, but the team got a real boost with Roling making a hole-in-one on 158 yard hole three, his first ever.

Unfortunately, his game never quite came together and Roling finished the second day with a 75, putting him in second place overall.

"Congratulations to him for a great season and getting his first hole in one during the tournament," coach Jacob Smith said. "Not quite what he was hoping for, but the excitement of his first ace definitely stands out as the high point of the tournament.

"I am very proud of these kids and the work they have put in. Lots still to do to get where we want to be, but the growth they have shown is awesome."

The rest of the Cats battled through the elements and turned in solid two-day scores with all of them learning a few things about State Tournament golf.

Clemens Abbott and Kyle Roessing cut major strokes from their day one scores and both hit personal records on day two.

Overall, the Bobcat boys placed 10th in 3A.

Other scores for State: Maddie Stam, 305; Hudson Roling, 146; Cade McLean, 215; Jeffry Clark, 225; Clemons Abbott, 235; Kyle Roessing, 289 and team total, 823.