The local high school golf teams have plenty of youth to go along with experience this season.

The Capital and Helena High golf teams teed off in Great Falls on Monday, and while some of the squads will have to mature throughout the season, other teams have some top players who could contend for top state honors.

The Helena High boys have five players who have played in the state tournament. The Bengals' No. 1 player is Grant Fink.

"He has improved his game over the summer, both physically and maturity-wise," said Helena coach Bob Tipton.

Fink is one of three seniors on the team, along with Jacob Ruzicka and Sean Puckett.

Juniors Ross Marty and Josh Prebil will be among the top five this season.

"They are both playing real well right now and have improved over the summer," Tipton said.

The Bengals boys also have some depth with three freshmen, Chris Puyear, Colter Day and Jeremy Nettleton, who could all push for spots on the varsity team.

"One through 12 (are) even," Tipton said. "Those three freshmen are not afraid to go out and bang heads with the older kids.

"That is a plus for the team. I am happy with the competition -- when that happens that brings everyone's game up."

The Helena High girls, who have had considerable success in recent years, will field a young lineup.

"We have never been this inexperienced," said Tipton of the girls' team.

Juniors Abby Hunthausen and Brianne O'Connor will join Hannah Woolsey and Kassidi DeMars as returners.

Hunthausen, O'Connor and Demars have competed at the state tournament, but Tipton said that they will have to learn on the job.

"Those girls have been to a lot of tournaments, but they have never been asked to be leaders," he said.

The Capital girls, who finished third at state last season, are fairly young but have a pair of veterans leading the way for them.

Senior Amy Miller and junior Mikal Chancy will be the leaders of the squad this season.

"Those two are kind of the cornerstones of the team," said Capital coach Dan Dietzen.

Following that pair is senior Rebecca Damrow. Damrow played as a freshman, but took two years off before returning to the team. Other names to watch for Capital are freshmen Amanda Roberts and Katy Harrington and sophomore Lauren Stewart.

"Our short game is our focus," Dietzen said. "I think that is where we will make the largest strides. We have spent a lot of practice time putting and chipping."

Capital's boys are led by Ben Ternes.

"Ben is a highly motivated young man and he is multitalented," said Dietzen. "I am expecting great things from him."

Ternes will be joined by seniors Cody Berglan and Will Glenn. The Bruins will also have some talented freshmen in Brian Buska and Grady Stinchfield.

"We have to improve every week and we have to improve with the boys fairly quickly," Dietzen said. "The competition for the boys is going to be fairly stiff."

Capital and Helena will continue play in Great Falls today before hosting the Helena Invitational next week.

GREAT FALLS -- Ben Ternes played a lot of golf this summer and it showed on the first day of the prep season.

The Capital standout shot a 77, which was good enough for a tie for fourth after the first day of the Great Falls Invitational. Ternes is three strokes behind leader Jake Hedge of Billings West.

"He's played well all summer and he played in a lot of tournaments," said Capital coach Dan Dietzen. "That's what you have to do to be one of the best players in the state."

The Bruins shot a 338 as a team, with Bryson Buska firing 85 and Cody Berglin 87.

The Helena High boys finished the day at 333. Ross Marty led the way with a 79.

"I am happy with that," said Helena coach Bob Tipton. "He had a really good side and a decent side. He played really smart and used good course management."

Jacob Ruzicka carded an 80 on the day and Colter Day finished with an 86.

On the girls' side, Capital freshman Amanda Roberts had an impressive showing with a 103. Amy Miller led the way for Capital with a 101.

The Capital girls finished with a team score of 417.

Helena's Kassidi DeMars paced the Bengals with a 98. Abby Hunthausen fired a 100.

"We didn't have anyone light it up, but we had people play okay," Tipton said.

As a team Helena shot a 436.

Windy conditions greeted the golfers as gusts reached 40 mph at the Meadowlark Country Club.

The teams will tee off today at 8:30 a.m. at the Eagle Falls Golf Club.