BUTTE — Hushed crowds followed the boys leaders of the Class AA state golf tournament as Helena Capital’s John Gilbert and Missoula Sentinel’s Jack Schaefer fought for the state title in three playoff rounds after finishing 18 holes tied for first.

In the end, it was Gilbert who sealed the win with a birdie on Hole 15 to secure his first state title.

“It feels great,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be a state champion since I was a kid. First year, I missed it by a little bit. Second year, I was leading with nine to play and kind of choked on the last nine. But it feels great to finally put two good rounds together and be a state champion.”

Gilbert, who opened round two as the three-way leader with Schaefer and Great Falls CMR’s Jack Pinski, continued to battle with Schafer and Pinski

See Full Page