HELENA — Bozeman’s Tom White knows a thing or two about championships.
The former Montana State Bobcat won a national championship on the football field with the 1984 team. Thursday at Green Meadow Country Club in Helena he took home the 2018 Men’s State Senior crown, shooting a 75 on the final day for a 210 three-day total. But the last day was far from a cakewalk.
“I really played conservatively,” White said after Thursday’s round. “There were a lot of pins in holes that I might have attacked a lot differently had I not had the lead coming into today. But I toned it down and played real conservatively, and I’m certain it cost me a few strokes. It’s just not my nature.”
But what is in White’s nature is the drive to compete — be it on the gridiron or the links. For as different as the two sports are from each other, there are a few similarities that winners understand.
“The ability to concentrate on just the ball, whether it’s a golf ball or a football,” White said. “Whether you’re going to get hit or you got issues out on the golf course. So it’s a continuation of the competitive spirit, that’s for sure. I play a lot of golf because it satisfies that (thirst) to compete.”
White’s first-place finish just edged out Rollins’ Craig Hurlbert, who shot a 71 on the final day to add up a 212 total score. Bozeman’s Lee Levine finished strong on Thursday with a 71 for a 216 total to finish third.
In the sophomore division, Helena’s Mike Majors took the top spot with a 216 total after shooting a 76 on the final day. Fellow Capital City resident James Mullins took first in the junior division with a 75 Thursday for a 223 total. Wilsall’s Chuck Burdette won the senior division with a 78 at Green Meadow for a 239 final total.
For a full list of the final results click here.
