Hosting your own tournament to start the golf season comes with some perks — like being able to give a whole bunch of players some immediate experience.

A total of nine Powell High School golfers got a chance to compete in the Thursday-Friday Powell Invitational.

“I was really pleased with some of our new additions in their first tournament setting, but this week did show that we have a long way to go to become competitive as individuals and also as a team,” PHS coach Troy Hildebrand said. “This tournament allowed a lot of our players to see the type of scores that are necessary to be successful as we move forward.”

Powell fielded two teams out at the Powell Golf Club; the “Orange” squad’s four lowest scores over the two days totaled 937, while the four players on the “Black” squad posted a two-day total of 1,021. They finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the six-team field.

Star Valley won the tournament with a team score of 669, followed by Jackson at 673 and Buffalo at 678.

PHS freshman Rob Sessions led Powell’s players with rounds of 110 and 108.

“He definitely showed some positive signs and I expect some real growth during the season,” a pleased Hildebrand said of Sessions’ first official tournament.

Senior Sean Wagner, who joined the golf team this year, shot 113-114.

“I thought he did an excellent job considering this was his first competitive golf tournament,” Hildebrand said. “He has a lot to learn, but this gave him a good starting point and I think he is excited to play.”

Sophomore Treven Keeler fired rounds of 116 and 112 in a weekend of ups and downs, Hildebrand said.

“I will be looking for him (Keeler) to consistently be one of our top performers,” the coach said. Hildebrand predicted that after finding ways to minimize the bad holes, Keeler will soon be shooting in the 90s.

PHS sophomore Kacey Creed shot a 110 and a 125.

“He has put some time into his game, and while he had a tough second day, he has shown some signs of real growth,” Hildebrand said.

Freshman Reece Hackenberg posted scores of 115 and 122, showing “a lot of potential,” Hildebrand said.

“He is really working hard on his swing and seems to have been bitten by the golf bug,” the coach said. “Reece is a smart kid and as a freshman he has a lot of time to grow.”

Junior Kyle Church shot 124-114.

Hildebrand said Church has shown real signs of growth over the past two years, but like many PHS players is still looking for experience and consistency.

Rounding out the PHS scoreboard were Zavier Wantulok (141-129), Austen Layton (157-148) and Austin Asher (144-164). All three players are juniors.

Star Valley’s Seth Schwab (75-80) birdied the first playoff hole to break a tie and edge Buffalo’s Pake Nimick (78-77) for the individual title.

On the girls side, Annie Estes of Jackson (90-91) led her team over Buffalo. PHS didn’t have any girl players in the tournament.

The Powell golfers are taking this week off, giving them an extra week of practice before the Lander Invitational on Sept. 3 and 4.

The squad expects to welcome back senior Robert Rodriguez for that tourney, after he missed last week’s event with a family commitment.