ON THE FIRST TEE...
With Nick Dietzen
Traditions in golf are numerous and legends are often overstated, but having a native Montanan tee it up at the oldest major, the most prestigious event for much of the world – the Open Championship is already legendary. Montana golf will have a proud representative on one of the sport’s grandest stages this week. Libby native, Ryggs Johnston, is set to compete in the 153rd British Open at the historic Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. For the 25-year-old Johnston, it marks not just the biggest tournament of his career but an extraordinary achievement in the annals of achievements for Montana golfers.
The British Open—or simply The Open— is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious championship in golf. It is a true global stage, steeped in history, with past champions ranging from legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to current stars Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele. For Johnston, earning a spot in this iconic event is a milestone unique to him, and he joins a short list of distinguished Treasure State golfers who have ever competed at a major: including Bob Betley, Louie Bartoletti, Leslie Spalding, Alice Ritzman, Val Skinner and Jasi Acharya.
Johnston punched his ticket to The Open by winning the Australian Open last December, where he shot an impressive 18-under par to claim the title. It was only his second professional tournament, but the win secured his place among an elite list of champions that includes Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, and Gene Sarazen. His victory is the true stuff of legends as many variables worked against him including a lack of practice round and travel challenges. Talent and
2 - 406GOLF - JULY 15, 2025
poise won out and with it, a spot in The Open and status on the DP Tour where he continues to develop as a professional including a spot in the star-studded field last week in Scotland at the Genesis Scottish Open.
A four-time high school state champion from Libby, he moved on to Arizona State University, where his collegiate résumé blossomed. He was a third-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 selection, eventually finishing his career with 14 top-10 finishes across 52 tournaments. He capped off his time at ASU with four consecutive top-10 results, instilling belief in his ability to compete professionally with the world’s best, a reality he now lives day-to-day.
Previously, Johnston made his mark back home with four high school state titles, winning in Montana State Golf Association events like the State Juniors (2014 & 2015) and claiming the Montana State Amateur in 2018 at Butte Country Club.
It was seven years ago where he raised the
Despite his busy travel schedule on the DP Tour, Libby's Ryggs Johnston volunteered as a starter for round one of the State Juniors in
Fairmont.
trophy, but his prodigious talent was evident to playing partners and the gallery that followed him at Montana’s most storied venue. Even the most optimistic, might not have conjured that Johnston would make it to a major – and he did it even more amazingly, without going through a qualifier by virtue of his professional win in his first year on tour. Beyond the golf course, Johnston graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in management and a certificate in sports business. He was recognized as the 2022-23 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, a testament to his commitment on and off the course.
Despite his busy travel schedule on the DP Tour, Johnston found it important to put on a camp at Old Works Golf Course along with former Montana State University Golfers (and MSGA Boatwright Interns) Cora and Hannah Rosanova to encourage, instruct and inspire Montana’s junior stars. Johnston also donated to the MSGA’s Junior Program and volunteered as a starter for round one of the State Juniors in Fairmont.
While Ryggs Johnston’s walk to the first tee at Royal Portrush represents not just a personal and professional milestone, it will also not be solitary as those back home in Libby are sure to be gathered around Cabinet View Golf Club’s clubhouse and across Big Sky Country to root for Ryggs.
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TV SCHEDULE (MT)
Thursday, July 17: 11:30 p.m. 2 a.m. (Peacock) 2 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (NBC)
Friday, July 18: 11:30 p.m. 2 a.m. (Peacock) 2 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (NBC)
Saturday, July 19: 3 a.m. 1 p.m. (NBC)
Sunday, July 20: 4 a.m. 2 p.m. (NBC)
ABOUT US
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OFFICERS
PRESIDENT................................................... Peter Benson
VICE PRESIDENT.................................. Ron Ramsbacher
TREASURER....................................................... Bill Dunn
PAST PRESIDENT......................................... Mary Bryson
EXEC COMMITTEE......................................... Karen Rice
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brett Bennyhoff, Peter Benson, Carla Berg, Mary Bryson, Bill Dunn, Cheri Ellis, Lisa Forsberg, Marcia Hafner, Ron Ramsbacher, Karen Rice, Joe Rossman, Rod Stirling
MSGA STAFF
Executive Director......................................... Nick Dietzen
Tournament Director...................................... Tim Bakker
Membership Operations Director............... Emily Hulsey
Member Services Coordinator......................... Ian Hulsey
Communications & Tournament Manager.... Katie Fagg
Communcations Coordinator.......................... Ty Sparing
Partnerships & Business Development...... Nick Dietzen
USGA PJ Boatwright, Jr. Intern................ Dean Hendrix
USGA PJ Boatwright, Jr. Intern...................... Ella Prigge
USGA PJ Boatwright, Jr. Intern................ Stella Claridge
PARTNERSHIPS
Nick Dietzen.... ......................... 1 (800) 628-3752, ext. 6
406GOLF STAFF
Editor in Chief............................................... Nick Dietzen
Consulting Editor........................................ David Bataller
Senior Writer..................................................... Ty Sparing
Graphic Designer............................................... Katie Fagg
Contributing Writer..................................... Sam Norman
Contributing Writer............................... Maddie Montoya
Contributing Writer................................. Mitch Leininger
COURSE SPOTLIGHT: LAUREL GOLF CLUB
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Laurel Golf Club hosting its first state golfing event – the 1975 Montana State Men’s Amateur Championship. Constructed seven years prior, the Laurel Golf Club quickly became one of Montana’s most prestigious championship courses, along with acting as the home club to an extraordinary amount of our state’s elite golfers.
After receiving a $300,000 loan in 1967 from the Farm Home Administration, officers of the newly formed Laurel Golf & Recreation Association quickly got to work building up the 450-acre multi-purpose recreation area just west of Laurel. The ambitious original plans
called for a competitive sized swimming pool, a children’s wading pool, a fenced playground, tennis courts, an archery range, a target range, picnic areas, a roping arena, western polo grounds, six miles of riding and hiking trails, a campground, shuffleboard, badminton, volleyball, ice skating, a toboggan run, a softball and little league area, a full service clubhouse, and of course an 18-hole golf course with all the amenities.
It was a brisk and windy opening day on September 15, 1968, when Montana Governor Tim Babcock cut the ribbon at the Laurel Golf Course. “I’m glad this wind was blowing before I arrived, or I’d be credited with that too,” a wry Babcock remarked to an audience of around 200 people.
A sign points in the direction of the brand-new Laurel Golf and Recreation site circa 1966.
Following Babcock, and sounding like a true professional worried about pace-of-play, was the President of the Laurel Golf & Recreation Association, Harry Smart. He made a quick statement to honor the occasion, “I think it is time for short speeches and fast play,” before pulling out a gold ball and gold tee and hit the first of many shots at the newly dedicated course.
It wasn’t long before the Laurel Golf Club made its mark as one of the preeminent tournament location spots in the Treasure State. In 1975 it became just the eighth city to host a Montana State Amateur Championship. Having hosted eleven more men’s and women’s State Amateur Championships since then, along with a host of other high-level state tournaments, the Laurel Golf Club has been unique in helping define the last 50 years of competitive golf in Montana.
Not only does the course produce quality championship events, but it’s also home to a multitude of Montana’s best golfers. State
Amateur winners like Liam Clancy, Morgan O’Neil, Kyla Clancy, Tina Bickford, Jasi Acharya, Brandon Davison, Nathan Bailey and Mark Metzger have all called Laurel Golf Club their home course. Meanwhile, under recently retired coach Jim O’Neil, the Class A Laurel Locomotive High School golf teams, both boys and girls, have been a juggernaut for nearly a decade now, having won a combined ten MHSA state titles since 2017.
Since it opened the Laurel Golf Club has certainly lived up to a gold standard, having reliably served as a primary tournament stop for every type of golfer throughout the decades, as well as providing a welcoming location for families in the area. Designed by Theodore Wirth, the well-groomed course has plenty of trees and recently opened a brand-new clubhouse in 2023. As the host site to this year’s Montana State Women’s Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur Championships, the Laurel Golf Club continues proving itself as one of the best championship courses in the state.
Practice round participants at the Montana Women's State Am in 1981.
INSIDERS VIEW: LAUREL GOLF CLUB
BY SAM NORMAN MONTANA JUNIOR GOLFER
Laurel Golf Club is home to some of the best golfers in the state, including juniors, collegiates and adults. The club has been a fundamental part of the community since its first day of service in 1968, with a wide range of hosting capabilities from small fundraiser tournaments to collegiate events and even Montana State Amateur Championships. As one of the busiest private courses in the state, Laurel Golf Club is a well-maintained course
with challenging holes and a friendly staff on hand. I believe it to be one of Montana’s hidden gems.
The course itself includes a tree-lined layout, with tight fairways and thick rough. Hazards are challenging but extremely rewarding and the greens are commonly fast and soft in the summer months but get fast and firm during the fall. The course is friendly to all playing levels, with the front tees measuring 5,600 yards, and the black tees stretching to nearly 7,000 yards. The maintenance staff is always quick to
clear debris, ensuring the golf course remains in top condition.
Laurel Golf Club is home to some of the most difficult holes in the state. The first hole is one of the hardest opening holes I've ever played, featuring a demanding tee shot, with trees to the left and right, and hazard long. However, if you play it over the right pine tree, you’ll have a short iron in. This hole also includes a tricky green, where any pin placement is a challenge.
The sixth hole, an uphill par-3, features a two-tiered green surrounded by bunkers. This par-3 can stretch to almost 230 yards.
Another challenging hole is the tenth. The tenth hole includes a demanding tee shot, with a sneaky creek to the right and hazard on the left. If you’re aggressive off the tee, you bring the water into play. But if you're conservative, you’ll have a long iron in.
The most unique hole is the par-4 sixteenth, which presents a difficult tee shot with fairway bunkers left and right. If you get past them, the green isn’t much easier, being a two-tiered green that slopes all to front and left.
People who have never been should know that the course is always in impeccable condition, considering it is a small town and the level of play it gets. The mountain views are always mentioned by guests.
Laurel Golf Club is private but it includes a welcoming atmosphere for all, including public dining and many events hosted on the patio. Our new state-of-the-art clubhouse also features a fully-stocked pro shop, locker rooms and two Full Swing Simulators. Located away from the city, the club brings a chill vibe to everyone, an atmosphere that brings in people from all walks of life.
1. Who introduced you to golf?
My dad and brothers introduced me to golf. I started playing with them for fun a couple of times a year, I later started to play golf competitively at 14!
2. Who influenced you most in your golf life?
My dad influenced me most in my golf life. I loved competing against him and help showing me why I love to play.
3. How does it feel to be a Big Sky Conference Champion? When did you know you had a shot at winning the whole thing? Were you nervous at all during the event?
It feels amazing to be a Big Sky Conference Champion, and I'm so grateful for that title. In the back of my head, I knew going into the third day that I had a shot at winning. A few holes into the turn, I knew that I could have the opportunity to win and was within reach. I was nervous, especially starting my final round, but as the day went on, I was able to calm my nerves better and fall into a rhythm.
4. What is your favorite course in Montana and why?
I have only played a few courses in Mon-
tana, but I would have to say my favorites are Riverside CC and the Big Sky GC. I love these courses because they are a fun track, and always such a great day to play golf at either of these courses. They have some cool holes that can be played in many ways.
5. What is a dream golf course you’d like to play once?
I would definitely have to say Augusta National.
6. What is your dream celebrity foursome (living or dead)? Why would you choose them?
Nelly Korda, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and myself. I just think this would be so fun, and being able to play with a few of the best athletes in the world would be such a cool experience.
7. Can you take us through your recent Montana State Match Play title run? Do you like the format? How does it compare to the usual stroke play?
I love match play format! I think it is super fun and a great change of pace from stroke play. I love the difference that each hole is a new opportunity against your opponent. Throughout my time at the Montana State Match Play, I didn’t have a great seed-
ing round; I ended up being the 7th seed, but I didn’t let that get to me. I had a packed couple of days with matches that were up and down, where every hole mattered. My last couple of matches were my favorite; they were super eventful, and it was awesome to have such a competitive match.
8. If you could change one thing about the game of golf what would it be?
I think it would be interesting if you could get relief from a divot in the fairway. I do understand that that is part of the game,
but it would be much less defeating if you were allowed relief.
9. What advice would you give to beginner golfers?
To go and play as much as possible, especially with friendly competition, and to have fun while doing so!
Bonus: Lay up or go for it?
I would love to say to go for it, but I usually end up laying up!
Maddie Montoya shows off her Big Sky Conference hardware this past May.
RAINA PORTS, JAMIE HENKENSIEFKEN CAPTURE TITLES AT 108TH MONTANA STATE WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
BY NICK DIETZEN MSGA Executive Director
Raina Ports of Missoula went wire-to-wire to claim the 108th Montana State Women's Amateur Championship. Ports, who opened with round of 69 and 73 closed with 71 for a three-round total of 213 (-3) to win by two shots at Canyon River Golf Club in Missoula.
Ports, who attends the University of Montana and plays for the Grizzlies opened with 34 (-2) and made her lone bogey on hole 13 and closed in 37 en route to her one-underpar 71. Her steady play did not provide an opportunity for challengers to see an opening to put pressure on her.
Fresh off a win at the Earl Hunt Fourth of July Tournament in Whitefish recently, Ports was able to withstand the fiercest charge of Macee Greenwood (Stevensville) who shot the low round of the championship with a final-round 68 (-4), putting her one-under-par for the championship. The Boise State golfer went out in 35 with a birdie on two and eight pars. She turned to the back with an eagle on hole 11, birdies on 15 and 18 and her lone bogey on 14 to come in with 33 on the back nine.
Greenwood, the 2022 Four Ball Mixed Team Champion and two-time Montana State Junior Champion (2021-22), arrived straight from the Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur, where she advanced from stroke play to match play.
Hannah Ports, Raina’s twin sister finished solo third with a final round of 74 for a threeday total of 225. Also a Grizzly, Hannah
Ports played in the final group and was able to witness her sisters triumph. In fourth was a three-way tie with Kendall Hayward (Missoula), Shealyn Hafer (Butte) and two-time defending champion, Lauren Greeny (Bozeman) who all posted 226 for the championship.
Isabella Downing (Billings) shot under par with 71 for the final round to finish in 7th at 228. Anna Stensrud (Missoula) was eighth at 234, Ashley Maki was ninth at 235 and in a tie for 10th were Anna Fenhaus (Billings) and Emma Woods (Fairfield) at 237.
Fenhaus, won the Carla Berg Award for the low junior player in the state in addition to her top-ten finish. She finished the event with a 73 (+1) to capture the hardware.
In the Masters-40 Championship, the first in MSGA history for golfers age 40 and above, the title came down to the final hole as Canyon River local and Missoula resident, Jamie Henkensiefken (254, +38) edged Dee Flemmer (Stevensville) by one stroke (255, +39) to earn the title of Master-40 Champion for 2025.
Henkensiefken, a former University of Montana Grizzly golfer and 1996 AA High School State Champion at Capital High started the day in a tie for second and one back of Flemmer.
The two were in close proximity on the scoreboard for the round, but Henkensiefken leading by two made a triple-bogey eight on hole 15 to fall behind by one as Flemmer parred. Both players made par on 16. On 17, Henkensiefken used her prodigious distance to attempt to drive the green on the par four.
Missoula's Raina Ports won the 108th Montana State Women's Amateur by two strokes over Macee Greenwood.
Canyon River local Jamie Henkensiefken captured the inaugural Masters-40 Championship for golfers age 40 and above.
Her drive caromed off the cart path and ended up even with the green.
Henksensiefken’s second shot ran long and off the green but redeemed herself in a big way as she holed out her next chip for a birdie. Flemmer parred and the two stepped to the tee tied. On the final hole a par five, Flemmer’s approach shot came up short and Henkensiefken reached in regulation with a two putt par for a final round of 81. Flemmer’s putt to tie missed to shoot 83 and conclude a
dramatic first ever Master-40 Championship.
Big Forks’ Louis Cholette-Haley posted 88 in her final round to secure third place at 261 followed by Son Fleck (Missoula) at 263 in fourth and Kalispell’s Mia Caulk was fifth at 264.
NOTE: The final leaderboard can be found online at www.msgagolf.org as well as through the Golf Genius App via GGID: 25MSGAWA.
Billings' Anna Fenhaus won the Carla Berg Award for the low junior player in the state, in addition to her top-ten finish at +21 overall.
TRIO OF REPEAT WINNERS AT 89TH ANNUAL EARL HUNT MEMORIAL FOURTH OF JULY TOURNAMENT
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
The 89th annual Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July Tournament was held July 4-6 at the beautiful Whitefish Lake Golf Club. One of Montana’s longest running golf tournaments it’s also one of the most competitive events of the season with 220 of the region’s elite players traveling in from all over.
In the Men’s Open Division, last years’ runner-up Andrew Medley secured his third 4th of July title after three exciting playoff holes against Missoula’s Kade McDonough. Scottsdale’s Medley came into the final round three strokes off the lead, but after two clutch birdies in the final two holes of regulation, Medley was able to force a playoff with the two-time Montana State Match Play champion Mc-
Donough. After parring the third playoff hole, Medley took the lead and the victory, adding to his title wins in 2012 and 2016. He also earned $600 for his efforts.
Rounding out the top five in the Men’s Open Division was a three-way tie for third place at even par 214 between Davis Johnson, Brian Hanson, and Christian Clark.
It was déjà vu in the Women’s Open Division as University of Montana golfers (and sisters) Raina and Hannah Ports finished first and second respectively for the second year in a row. Raina got off to an early one stroke lead after a first round of even par and remained that way after the second round as well. With sister Hannah and two-time Women’s State Amateur champion Lauren Greeny right on her heels going into day three, Raina put the jets on with five birdies recorded (holes 2, 5,
2024 Runner-Up Andrew Medley captured the 2025 Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July Tournament in a three-hole playoff.
Casey Kreider / Daily Inter Lake
12, 17, 18) and only two bogeys en route to posting the lowest single round score of the event at -3 (69). Winning the 4th of July title by five strokes, Raina also took home $400.
The second-place finisher Hannah Ports finished at +6 (221) while Greeny ended up in third place at +9 (224).
Raina Ports wasn’t the only defending titlist in Whitefish as local Brad Grattan cruised to his third straight 4th of July title. The 2022 Montana State Senior Tournament Champion, Grattan, came into day two down by two strokes but showed his prowess of the course after finishing his second round with an astonishingly low score of -11 (61). Nobody in the Senior Division came within eight strokes of matching Grattan’s lowest single round of the tournament, as he was propelled by two eagles (holes 4 &12), six birdies (holes 5, 9, 13, 14, 17, 18) and zero bogeys. Coming into the third day with a comfortable lead, Grattan fired an easy even par 71 to put him at -12 (203) over-
all, giving him his third 4th of July title in as many years.
Following Grattan was Missoula’s Bob Hasquet in second place at -1 (214), Joe Cielak (Libby) in third place at +4 (219), and there was a tie for fourth place at +7 (222) between Shawn Wilson (Wheatland County) and Carl Funk (Arlee).
Earl Hunt, who the tournament is named after, was a long-time resident of Whitefish. He started work as a car man for the Great Northern Railroad in the 1920s and in 1927 lost his leg while on the job. Hunt was a member of the Whitefish Lake Golf Club for 52 years, later went on to bartend in the clubhouse, and was a designated starter and marshal for events at the course. He was known for greeting people with the classic golf phrase, “tee it high and let it fly.”
For full results of the 4th of July Tournament, CLICK HERE.
Raina Ports (pictured) and twin sister Hannah finished first and second for the second straight year at the Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July Tournament, played at the beautiful Whitefish Lake Golf Club. Casey Kreider / Daily Inter Lake
HELENA’S RYAN CUTTER COMPETES IN 4TH ANNUAL U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
Green Meadow Country Club’s Director of Instruction, Ryan Cutter, recently competed in his 4th U.S. Adaptive Open Championship this past July 7-9. Playing in a field of 72 at the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, Cutter just missed the cut after two rounds at +22 (166) overall. He registered a birdie in each round of play. Winning the event for the third year in a row was England’s Kipp Popert, who joined Carl Kauffman, Willie
Anderson and Tiger Woods as the only male golfers in history to threepeat the same USGA championship.
Along with his playing abilities, Cutter is also well-known for his youth development, hosting a popular junior clinic at Green Meadow every summer along with having earned the 2020 and 2021 Youth Player Development Award in the Western Montana Chapter of the Pacific Northwest PGA Section.
For full results of the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, CLICK HERE.
FOUR MONTANA GOLFERS COMPETE IN JUNIOR WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
The state of Montana was fortunate recently to have four quality representatives at the Junior World Golf Championships at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, California. Held July 8-10, golfers across five age divisions had three rounds of golf against some of the most elite youth players in the world.
Less than a month after finishing in a playoff against each other for the Montana State Boys’ Junior Championship title at the Fairmont Resort Golf Course, Brady Powell and John Gilbert once again found each other playing high pressure golf on the same course at Torrey Pines.
This time overlooking the Pacific Ocean rather than the Rocky Mountains, the two golfers were up against 214 other competitors in the age15-18 category. Gilbert came out
ahead this time with a finish at +18 (234) over the three rounds which put him in a tie for 113th place. Powell meanwhile ended up in a tie for 158th at +24 (240).
Playing against 131 other competitors in the boys 11-12 age group, Whitefish’s Finley Ross finished up at +18 (234) over three days, putting him in a tie for 67th. Ross finished runner up in the Boys 13 & Under division at the recent Montana State Junior Championships.
As the lone female representative from Montana, Big Sky’s Cate Leydig ended her three rounds in a tie for 146th with a final score of +28 (244). Leydig also finished runner-up this past June in the girls’ overall division at the Montana State Junior Championships.
For full results of the Junior World Golf Championships, CLICK HERE.
Four Montana junior golfers recently competed in the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.
POLSON’S MILTON WINS AJGA VISIT PULLMAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
Polson High School standout Maxwell Milton recently won the AJGA Visit Pullman Junior Championship that was held at the Palouse Ridge Golf Club. Winning the event by a convincing six strokes, Milton becomes the first male golfer from Montana to win an AJGA Open Championship.
Held over three rounds, Milton started off with a scorching first round score of -9 (63) which put him in a tie for first place going into day two. The next two rounds Milton posted back-to-back rounds of -4 (68), which put him at -17 (199) overall and the champion by six strokes.
Congratulations to Maxwell!
For full results, CLICK HERE.
Polson's Maxwell Milton won the AJGA Visit Pullman Junior Championship by six strokes at -17 overall, becoming the first male golfer from Montana to win an AJGA Open Championship.
BILLINGS' PEARSALL QUALIFIES FOR 2025 USGA SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
BY BILL BOWMAN LasVegasGolfInsider.com for the SNGA
Joe Sawaia (Medalist) and Jerry Pearsall topped a field of 42 players and qualified for the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur. The one-day qualifier was held July 7, 2025, at Red Rock Country Club. The two will move on to the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur which will be held Aug. 23-28, 2025, at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, TX.
John Turk was the first alternate and James Corey was the second alternate.
Sawaia had a bogey-free, seven-under-par 65 to grab medalist honors. It will be Sawaia’s second national tournament having qualified for this event last year where he lost in the first-round match-play portion.
“I felt really good today,” said Sawaia, who coached golf at Coronado High School for 21 years and is currently working with the Souther Nevada Junior Golf Association (SNJGA). “I’ve been working hard on my game ever since qualifying last year for this event. I just wanted to get back and play in it again.”
He said his game-plan going into the qualifier played out well.
“I just wanted to limit mistakes and play a clean round,” he said. “Any time you play bogey-free you’re going to have a solid day but add in birdies and it becomes a very good round.”
He said his play on the green was key. He had streaks of three birdies in a four-hole stretch and four birdies in a five-hole stretch.
“The putter got hot,” he said. “I stole one on No. 7 when I made one from 35 or 40 feet and that’s when the putter really started to heat up.”
Now, it’s on to the big show…and Sawaia can’t wait.
“I’ve had this circled on my calendar since last year,” he said. “I’m thrilled to get back there. With these big USGA events, you just want to get back and experience everything these tournaments have to offer. I just hope to make it a little deeper than last year.”
Despite losing in the first round of match play in 2024 Sawaia said it was a good learning experience.
“Making it to match play was great,” he said. “But then I ran into a guy who was playing well and I also gave a few holes away which didn’t help.”
He said making it back, he’s ready for the next challenge.
“My game’s in better shape,” he said. “I was also nursing a hip injury last year but now I’m healthy and ready to go. I’ve also got a year under my belt and that’s never a bad thing.”
Jerry Pearsall made the trip from Billings, MT., in the attempt to qualify and a oneunder-par 71 earned him a spot in the U.S. Senior Amateur.
Pearsall played his first 11 holes in two-under-par, putting two birdies and nine pars on the scorecard.
“My ball-striking was spot-on for most of the day,” said Pearsall, a financial planner in Billings.
Pearsall said he made the trip to Vegas because of a couple of factors.
“There was nothing really close to Billings,” he said. “It was either Salt Lake, Denver or Las Vegas. With the flights and dates, the best option was Las Vegas and it turned out it was a good choice.”
Pearsall has qualified for a big-time event in the past as he was in the field for the 2008 U.S. Amateur which was played in Tulsa, OK. He said he hopes to improve his outcome.
“Those courses were too hard for me,” he said with a laugh. “I was 46 and playing against the young bombers. I didn’t make it to match play but what a great experience just to qualify for that tournament.”
He said he now knows what to expect at the tournament.
“I’m sure I’ll be a little less nervous,” he said. “Now that I’ve been there once, I won’t be as star-struck with the atmosphere. I’m also more
comfortable in my game knowing if I play well, I can advance.”
And advancing to match play is his next goal.
“It’s going to be one step at a time,” he said. “Getting through the 36 holes of stroke play and to match play is going to be a challenge because the talent level will be very high. But I think my game is in a good enough spot that I can get to match play. And once you get there, anything can happen.”
Billings Jerry Perasall qualified for the 2025 USGA Senior Amateur Championship by shooting a -1 (71) at Red Rock Country Club.
JACKIE MEE AND CONNOR HAUSAUER INDUCTED INTO CARROLL COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
BY TY SPARING
MSGA Communications Coordinator
Libby’s Jackie Mee and Bozeman’s Connor Hausauer were recently announced as part of the 2025 Carroll College Athletics Hall of Fame class. Both having graduated in 2015, Mee and Hausauer, along with five other individuals, are set to be recognized for outstanding individual achievements on the golf course. There will be a formal induction ceremony as part of Carroll’s Homecoming celebrations this September 27.
Mee, a former Montana State Mid-Amateur Champion in 2023, is described in a recent Saints announcement as “Inarguably the best Carroll Women’s Golfer of all-time,” due to
her accomplishments as Frontier Conference titlist in 2013, along with holding the program record for lowest career scoring average. Jackie is the first female golfer inducted to the Hall of Fame in Saints history and joins her brother Jimmy who was inducted in 2023.
Hausauer meanwhile was “one of the greatest golfers in Carroll history,” with a long list of individual wins including a Frontier Conference individual title run in 2014. The Fall of 2013 Hausauer held the second-lowest scoring average in the entire NAIA. He also was a twotime Academic All-American.
Congratulations to Connor and Jackie on honors well deserved!
MACEE GREENWOOD MAKES IT TO ROUND OF 32 AT PNGA WOMEN’S AMATEUR
BY TY SPARING
MSGA Communications Coordinator
Corvallis’ Macee Greenwood had a busy week of golf earlier this July as she was the lone Montana representative at the recent PNGA Women’s Amateur Championship before rushing over to compete in the 108th Montana State Women’s Amateur Championship in Missoula just a day later.
Held July 7-11 at the Wine Valley Golf Club,
in Walla Walla, Washington, Greenwood made it through two rounds of qualifying at the PNGA Women’s Amateur before losing a close 19-hole match in the round of 32 to Canada’s Erin Lee.
After bowing out in the round of 32, the Boise State golfer Greenwood fast tracked it over to the Canyon River Golf Club where she conjured up enough energy to finish runner-up at the State Women’s Amateur Championship for the second year in a row.
RYGGS JOHNSTON AT THE BMW INTERNATIONAL OPEN
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
Libby’s Ryggs Johnston was back in the money recently after competing at the BMW International Open in Munich, Germany. Playing at the Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, Johnston looked sharp as he prepares himself for The 153rd Open Championship later this month at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
After a first day finishing at -1 (71), John-
ston was firing on all cylinders during the second round, notching seven birdies along with no bogeys recorded on his way to a single round of -7 (65).
Comfortably above the cutline, Johnston had a third round at +1 (73) but got back below par to finish off the event with a final day at -3 (69), putting him in a tie for 26th place at -10 (278) overall. For his efforts he earned just under $28,000.
For full results of the BMW International Open, CLICK HERE.
Libby's Ryggs Johnston finished T26 at -10 overall at the DP World Tour BMW International Open in Germany.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR BUNKER HEALTH AND PLAYABILITY
BY MITCH LEININGER USGA AGRONOMIST, EAST REGION
While greens are undeniably the primary focus area for golfers and superintendents, bunkers are often a close second. Bunkers are high-use, high-visibility playing surfaces that require thoughtful management. From turf health on bunker surrounds to sand quality and structural integrity, a comprehensive
A lot of maintenance is needed to keep bunkers looking and playing their best.
USGA
bunker maintenance program is important.
The turf around bunkers takes a beating from both maintenance and player traffic. Keeping that turf healthy starts with a sound fertility program. Outside of bulk applications, strategic and precise applications of a slow- or controlled-release fertilizer help supply steady nutrient delivery over time, reducing peaks and valleys in turf performance. The turf around bunkers often has different fertility requirements than the nearby rough, and one bunker may have different needs than another based on traffic patterns and growing environment. A site-specific approach will yield the best results.
However, fertility alone isn’t enough. Insect and disease pressure on the turf around bunkers can be especially problematic in the Southeast. A preventative approach using targeted insecticides, nematicides and fungicides, along with organics like Comand or Milorganite, can strengthen surrounding turf and reduce stress. Moisture management is equally critical, notably on south-facing slopes or in sandy soils. Tailored irrigation cycles, hand watering and incorporating a foliar spray program that includes wetting agents can help to combat dry conditions.
Golfers expect consistency in bunkers and that depends heavily on the quality and maintenance of the sand. The article “A Guide To Selecting the Right Bunker Sand for Your Course” will help with finding a sand that best meets your needs. The frequency of raking is an important factor in playability, as is maintaining the appropriate sand depths throughout the bunkers. Laboratory testing can help you determine the ideal sand depth for your combination of sand and bunker liner to make sure the sand doesn’t retain excessive moisture. Sand contamination, layering or inconsistent depths can quickly turn a bunker from a playable surface into a burden – and these are all issues that commonly
develop and worsen during storm season in the Southeast.
No amount of maintenance can make up for poor drainage, liner failure or improper construction that leads to washouts. These issues are signs that a bunker renovation is not just warranted, but necessary for longterm performance. Often, courses will perform renovations in phases – starting first with greenside bunkers or severely compromised ones to keep the cost manageable. It is important, however, to review and budget for bunker improvements and renovations on an ongoing basis.
Ultimately, bunkers deserve attention because golfers care about them. By focusing on routine maintenance and addressing construction flaws when budget and time allows, superintendents can deliver the best bunkers possible.
Click Here for more from the USGA Green Section Record ‒including the latest articles and videos on sustainable management practices that produce better playing conditions for better golf.
