406golf Newsletter - April 15, 2024

ON THE FIRST TEE...

With Nick Dietzen

ATradition Unlike Any Other

This past week, I had the great fortune of attending the Masters with my father, Dan. For the past two decades, we ‒ like many golf enthusiasts ‒ have attempted to secure tickets for the “Tradition Unlike Any Other.” This year was our lucky year and the two of us were able to celebrate milestone birthdays in Augusta, Georgia.

For the entirety of my childhood, having a

birthday during the Masters was always a fun time to follow along with the broadcast and learn about the course – the uniqueness of the event and in Montana signifying the start of golf season – nothing makes you want to get on the course like watching hours of the Masters!

The incongruent nature of one of the most exclusive clubs in the world and the toughest ticket in sports, is contrasted with $1.50 Pimento and Cheese Sandwiches and incredibly reasonable face-value ticket prices. Once you are in the gates – time has little meaning as no cell phones are allowed on the premises and the feeling of being present is omnipresent. For the day, everyone in attendance is fixated on taking in the holes they’ve only seen on television and in their dreams. Sharing stories, food and beverage in a communal setting creates an atmosphere unmatched in sports.

For a long time, I struggled to understand the meaning of “A Tradition Unlike Any Other.” The combination of consistency in a time where change seems to be happening at an unprecedented rate, the holes are generally the same – save some lengthening and tree additions and subtractions over the past 92 years. The prices of merchandise, food and beverage are incredibly reasonable and the

MSGA Executive Nick Dietzen (left) won tickets to the Masters through their annual lottery, and brought his father, Dan (right), making memories to last a lifetime.

term that I would say best signifies the spectator or “patron” experience is respect.

Respect for rules, decorum and the course are embodied everywhere. The Masters is the show; nothing else is important – no corporate signage, leaderboards are adjusted manually, and a badge gets you nearly everywhere. Once you put your chair down, no one will take it, move it, or generally act out. Why? Because the privilege of attending is obvious and understanding that consequences matter at Augusta National is clear before you ever make it to the gates. Everyone is generally on their best behavior and happy to be there. It was a refreshing change from the general atmosphere at most golf clubs I visit, where there seems to be a combination of entitlement and attitudes that fluctuate with the relation to par on one’s scorecard.

Working in the golf industry now has provided me a different perspective than I have had in the past, but not any better or worse than other parts of my life. I was paying a lot more attention to the throngs of volunteers and the organization of the event, as the MSGA attempts to continue to build our volunteer corps and continue to work through details on our events.

As for tournaments , the U.S. Open has always been my favorite championship, due to the difficulty of “golf’s toughest test” and the fact that anyone with the game could enter and advance also presents a quality that has always resonated with me, in addition to coinciding with Father’s Day – which for me has been a time to celebrate the day and the golf tournament with my father, who introduced me to the game.

The Masters is my dad’s favorite, thanks to

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OFFICERS

PRESIDENT................................. Mary Bryson

VICE PRESIDENT....................... Peter Benson

TREASURER..................................... Bill Dunn

PAST PRESIDENT........................... Carla Berg

WOMEN’S CHAIR...................... Teresa Brown

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Russ Cravens, Bill Dunn, Ron Ramsbacher, Brett Bennyhoff, Teresa Brown, Rod Stirling, Mary Bryson, Sparkey McLean, Tracy Paine, Karen Rice, Joe Rossman, Peter Benson, Lisa Forsberg, Marcia Hafner, Carla Berg, Cheri Ellis

MSGA STAFF

Executive Director.............................. Nick Dietzen

Tournament Director........................... Tim Bakker

Communcations Coordinator............... Ty Sparing

Operations Manager................... Michael Williams

Membership Operations Director.... Emily Hulsey

Online Support....................................... Ian Hulsey

USGA Boatwright Intern....................... Katie Fagg

PARTNERSHIPS

Nick Dietzen .......... 1 (800) 628-3752, ext. 2

406GOLF

the beautiful grounds and manicured grass – not unlike our front yard growing up. The Masters holds the special distinction of being the only major played at the same venue, year after year. Whether at home or walking, you feel connected to the course. Even though I’ll never play it – the visuals will never be the same after viewing it up close and hiking around the hallowed grounds – it’s more of a hike than a walk in the park with elevation changes galore.

Over the years, it has been clear to me that the Masters has continued to honor its platform and preeminent spot in the golfer’s consciousness by expanding its reach, via the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and investment and promotion to Drive, Chip and Putt for juniors.

While I know that many of you are actively entering the Masters ticket lottery and dream of attending, I can say that my experience was tremendous. The most important part was being able to have great company. I will have memories for a lifetime and for that I am grateful!

To me, the ultimate tradition in golf is spending quality time with loved ones on the course. Whether on Masters Sunday or any other day, putting the cell phone away and being present – what a gift.

A bronze statue of 1976 Masters Tournament champion Ray Floyd sits in the middle of the Augusta Regional Airport.

1. Who introduced you to golf?

My dad introduced me to golf at the age of 8. The only club I had was a sand wedge. Whenever I was struggling to get the ball off the ground, my dad would go stand about 40 yards away and I would start hitting great shots at him.

2. Who influenced you the most in your golf life?

Ed Bezanson has definitely been the biggest influence in my golf life. He has been my swing coach for almost a decade and has taught me everything I know about the golf swing. He is the reason that I am pursuing a career in golf. I would not be where I am today without Ed.

3. What MSGA program are you most passionate about and why?

I am most passionate about the MSGA’s outreach program. We are constantly trying to find new ways to spread the word about new opportunities for our golfers in Montana.

4. What is your favorite course in Montana and why?

My favorite course to play in Montana is definitely Canyon River in Missoula. I grew up on that course and I have so many irreplaceable memories there.

5. What is a dream golf course you’d like to play once?

I would love to go over to Scotland and play the Old Course at St. Andrews. Who wouldn’t want to play the course where it all started?

6. What is your dream celebrity foursome (living or deceased)? Why would you choose them?

I would definitely want to play with Tiger and Arnold Palmer. But more importantly, I would love to be able to play 18 with Ed Bezanson. He has taught me so much about the game of golf but we have never been able to play a full round together. That would make my day.

7. What’s your most memorable moment on a golf course?

Two memories immediately come to mind. I can vividly remember the first time that I beat my dad. I was only 11 years old and we were playing Larchmont in Missoula.

The second memory that comes to mind would have to be when I won the Class B High School State Championship my senior year. The tournament was at Canyon River. It was such a cool experience to have all of my friends and family there at that moment on my favorite golf course.

8. If you could change one thing about the game of golf what would it be?

I think I would let people get free relief from divots in the fairway. It’s so unfortunate when you hit a great drive down the middle of the fairway and then get up to your ball and it's in a huge divot.

9. What brought you to the MSGA? What do you hope to accomplish as a Staff Member?

I have played in many MSGA tournaments over the years but the Boatwright Internship opportunity brought me to the MSGA. As a member of the staff, I hope that I can continue to help create relevant content for our members as we continue to improve the outreach within our ever growing community.

Bonus: Lay up or go for it?

I say risk it for the biscuit; go for it!

Katie Fagg with Dad, Rick (left), and Ed Bezanson (right)

MONTANA STATE WOMEN'S GOLF PARTNERS WITH FOLDS OF HONOR

BY TY SPARING & TIM BAKKER MSGA Communications Coordinator & MSGA Tournament Director

Founded in 2007 by Lt. Colonel Dan Rooney, the Folds of Honor Scholarship awards are given to spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders. Rooney conceived of the idea when returning from his second tour of duty in Iraq, having become deeply aware of the realities families faced in the event of such tragedy. Since its inception, the Folds of Honor has rallied around the idea of meeting sacrifice with hope, having awarded over 53,000 schol-

arships since it began in 2007.

One of the unique things about Folds of Honor is that over 90 college golf teams around the country carry a Folds of Honor golf bag while they play, along with pursuing individual fundraising effort. Montana State women’s golf team is proudly participating, having had 40 students pass through Montana State University using funds received for the scholarship.

Once again, the Bobcat golf team is joining the annual fundraising efforts, collecting donations for a chance to win a custom-made

Montana State Athletics

Folds of Honor golf bag, with the bag displaying how many scholarships have been given out at MSU since 2007. Moreover, the money raised stays local and helps MSU students receive funding from the program.

Currently, out of all the schools that participate, Montana State University is second only to the Notre Dame men’s golf team in total amount raised this year. The drawing for the MSU Bobcat Folds of Honor golf bag will occur following the end of the 2024 spring season. As the season nears its close, certainly the good folks in Montana can help get the Bobcats into that number one spot!

Also, keep a look out for Lauren Greeny at this year’s Big Sky Conference Championship. Last year’s Montana State Women’s Amateur champion and current MSU standout, Greeny will have the privilege of carrying the Folds of Honor golf bag during the Conference Championships happening April 1517. In her own words:

“Being chosen to carry a Folds of Honor

golf bag is an extraordinary honor that goes beyond the realm of golf. It signifies recognition of a commitment to a cause greater than myself – supporting the families of fallen and disabled service members. Carrying this bag isn’t just about the weight on my shoulders. It’s about the weight of responsibility, honor, and gratitude for those who have sacrificed for our freedom. It’s a symbol of unity with our nation’s heroes and their families, and a reminder of the importance of giving back to those who have given so much. So, as I walk the fairways with this bag, I will carry it with pride, knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of those who have served our country selflessly.”

Thank you to the MSU Bobcat golf team for your continued dedication to a worthy cause!

If you would like to make a donation or read more about the Folds of Honor fundraiser, CLICK HERE.

Montana State Athletics

Lauren Greeny at 2023 Montana State Am

Gary Marshall / 406MTSports

ANCHORS AWAY!

BY MICHAEL WILLIAMS MSGA Operations Manager

I consider myself a “seasoned” or “veteran” or “experienced” (just don’t say old) player, who has always searched for a better way to roll his potato. I have tried conventional, crosshanded, trigger finger down the shaft, belly, and Broomstick. I, like other putting-challenged golfers, struggle with the “anchoring” versus “resting” terms in the rulebook.

The Rules clearly state broomstick anchoring is forbidden, however “resting” against forearm, and elbows “braced” against body are allowed. As someone who has made and missed his fair share of putts… please don’t chime in friends, I must say I am perplexed by the decision. If anchored to the sternum or pectoral muscle, the broomstick makes minimal contact with the body, yet with the

Armlock technique, the amount of “resting” against the forearm is massive in comparison. I personally think the “anchoring” “resting” and “braced” terms are too similar. I think back to the days when Sam Snead went full on croquet style, won too many times, then altered his method only slightly, and continued to win. I think of the majors won by belly putters, and anchored broomsticks through the years, that are recognized and forever etched in the record books.

I say let the potato roll. No matter the technique. If a competitor can roll a slick downhill 10-footer in, lefthanded, on one foot while whistling…I will shake their hand and say, “great game.” Then, I’m heading to the putting green to practice my lefthanded, one footed, whistling putting technique. I’ll try anything once.

Let me know if I whiffed on this one. I’ll be on the putting green.

Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR

SPOTLIGHT on the GHIN APP: Games and Score Keeping

BY EMILY HULSEY MSGA Director of Membership Operations

In addition to the useful GPS features discussed in our last 406golf, the GHIN app also has a fun Games/Score Keeping feature!

To use it, tap “Play with GPS/Games”, choose the course, then choose one of the following:

• Match Play (Net) – Keep track of a match that applies handicap strokes based off the golfer with the lowest Playing Handicap™.

• Match Play (Gross) – Keep track of a match where no handicap strokes are applied for any golfer.

• Keep Score for Group – Keep track of the scores for you as well as the other golfers in your group.

It’s easy to use and includes a digital scorecard that will keep track of 5 players – yourself, and 4 others, that you can look up using their last name or GHIN #. Search the name, click the “+” sign and “Add golfers”. You can also manually add golfers if they don’t have a GHIN #. Players can then be moved into any order you wish by pressing and dragging the “=” symbol.

Once the game is completed, you have the option to digitally transfer scores to the other GHIN golfers in your group. Once transferred, those golfers will receive a push notification that a score is waiting (if enabled, and they have the GHIN app installed on their device). They can also access this in the “Saved Rounds” menu item within the app, as well as will be prompted when tapping “Post Score”. They can then review, edit (if needed), and post the score to their record.

If the golfer was manually added without a GHIN #, the score won’t be transferred, but the score keeper can take a screenshot of the scorecard and message or email the image.

Even if you don’t play in tournaments, the Games/Score Keeping feature in the GHIN app is a fun way to compete, whether a competitive or friendly game. It’s an MSGA membership benefit that can be used by everyone – young and old alike! Help us spread the word about the benefits of an MSGA membership!

Do you have an Apple Watch? If so, check our next issue as we spotlight how it’s integrated with the GHIN app for added convenience.

USGA

RULES OF GOLF

BY TIM BAKKER MSGA Tournament Director

The USGA recently hosted an online rules seminar regarding Areas of the Course and Play the Course as You Find It. These are two key principles when playing and using the rules of golf.

Play the Course as You Find It

A key principle in the game of golf is to play the course as you find it. Ideally, you can start between the tee markers, make a stroke at the ball, find it, and repeat until the ball is holed. Inevitably, your ball will end up by a sprinkler head, under a tree, or simply lost. The rules of golf are there to help us.

Along with playing the course as you find it,

players are expected to act with integrity. This includes applying all penalties and being honest in all aspects of play. Players are expected to show consideration for others and help care for the course. These key components are the principles of Rule 1 in the Rules of Golf.

Five Areas of a Golf Course

When playing golf, there are actions you can take in certain areas of the course which you cannot do in other areas. The Rules of Golf have defined five areas of the golf course:

• The teeing area

• All penalty areas

• All bunkers

• The putting green

• The general area

General Area: All parts of the golf course located inbounds and that are not a part of the other four areas of a golf course. In the general area the players may incur penalties for causing their ball to move or receive free relief due to interference from some objects.

Teeing Area: The area between the tee markers and two club lengths backwards of the tees the player is playing on that particular hole. All other tee marks and tee boxes are a part of the general area. Inside the teeing area, a player can use a tee, and place the ball at any position. Did you know that if you make a stroke at the ball and it moves off the tee but stays in the teeing area, you can pick up the ball and move it to a new location, back on to a tee, without a penalty?

Penalty Area: Penalty areas are identified by red or yellow paint, or stakes. Penalty areas can be areas of water or without. Relief options in the general area often do not apply if your ball is inside a penalty area. For example, a player could take relief under Unplayable Ball (Rule 19) in the general area, but you cannot take Unplayable Ball relief in a penalty area.

Bunkers: These are specially prepared areas of sand that do not include sandy areas on the golf course, soil or grass growing in the bunker, or any sand that has spilled out of the bunker. In a bunker, a player cannot take a practice swing and touch the sand, the way they can touch the ground in the general area.

Putting Green: The green being used on the hole being played. Any other green is a part of the general area, but also considered a wrong green. On the putting green, you can mark, lift, and clean your golf ball. If you accidentally move it, you can put it back without penalty. If you accidentally cause your ball to move in other areas of the course, you could incur a penalty. Wrong greens are areas where players are required to take relief from.

We hope you had an opportunity to view the latest USGA Rules Seminar video. CLICK HERE to view it on the Rules of Golf page on the MSGA website.

Also REGISTER HERE for the next USGA Rules Seminar video on Tuesday, April 16th at 10:00 am MST.

Penalty areas are identified by red or yellow paint, or stakes, and can be areas of water or without.

USGA

THE GREAT HISTORICAL DEBATE: ARE "LINKS" SAUSAGE OR GOLF?

BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator

When somebody says the word “links,” do you think of sausage or golf?

Golf first came to Montana in the form of the Butte Country Club in 1899, and then a year later courses sprang up in places like Helena, Anaconda, Missoula, Bozeman, and Livingston, and then many more in the ensuing decades. There was great enthusiasm when the ancient and royal pastime finally made its way to the Treasure State at the turn of the century, but there was also a lot of learning to do. People not only had to figure out how to hit the ball straight, but also how to remember the vast terminology that came with the sport.

Terms like “mashie,” “niblick,” “bogey,” and of course the word “links” were among other golfing buzz words floating around at the time.

As had happened around the rest of the U.S., shortly after golf made its way to Montana the term “links” caused a little bit of confusion. For a lot of people who weren’t savvy with the sport, links had to do with sausage and so when they started noticing advertisements saying stuff like “a day at the links,” well this made no sense at all. Pretty soon the term was a marker for those who knew their way around the game, and those who didn’t, and thereafter the sausage/golf confusion became commonly used as a way to mock those who weren’t quite up to speed.

USGA

The Butte Country Club clubhouse in 1902, just five years after the formation of the USGA.

In the early 1900s in Montana, along with the large demand for a fun new form of exercise, the courses that sprouted up in these various towns were all considered to be an essential next step towards high culture and refinement. It was a young state with a little wealth and cities were still very forward looking. And with the urgent feeling to get these courses built, there also came a little bit of competition as each club desired to steward golf in the state of Montana. So when it was announced in the spring of 1900 that Livingston was forming a golf club, some folks in Missoula thought it a good time to crack jokes on their soon-to-be rival, as they also had a golf course being built that summer.

In the April 28, 1900 edition of the Missoula Democrat-Messenger newspaper, a writer in the comment section saw fit to declare that after the formation of a golf club the “Livingston people are bound to be to up to date,” and that

“the good people there will now probably learn the difference between golf links and sausage links.”

Needless to say that little insult didn’t sit very well, as a couple weeks later a note in the Big Timber Express showed up saying, “The Missoula Democrat-Messenger turns up its nose at Livingston’s golf club, intimating that since its good people began playing golf they have discovered the difference between golf links and links of sausage. The three newspapers over there should unite in jumping on the Missoula man for this slander.”

Just a few days later the Livingston Post chimed in, claiming the writer for the Missoula Democrat-Messenger was “inclined to turn up his nose at Livingston’s golf club,” and that he should “wait until he comes over here with the press gang and we’ll get good and even with him.” As for the sausage joke itself the Living-

The view of Livingston looking southeast in 1903. North 5th Street is visible in centerground, irrigation ditch is visible in left foreground.

Montana State Library / Montana History Portal

ston Post said “we suppose he thinks that’s funny. Get back into your shell, Leutgert, as a humorist you’re a frost.”

(A couple things to mention here at this point. First is that the term “Leutgert” was another word, or rather name that was wellknown around that time and was being used as an insult. It was in reference to a famous homicide trial in Chicago that involved a wealthy sausage maker named Adolph Leutgert who murdered his wife and disposed of her body in a furnace at the sausage factory he owned.

The second thing is that it’s something of an irony that the Missoula Golf Club would throw shade at Livingston like that considering the primary memory of that first season in Missoula – as told by the Anaconda Standard later that December — was of a golfer who killed a goose on the course with his “golf stick” and ate it for Thanksgiving dinner. Turned out the goose was part of a tamed flock owned by a nearby property owner, “then the sporty tinge of the affair was lost.”)

The Missoula and Livingston contingents must’ve settled their differences off paper, as that’s the last we hear about it from them, but the dilemma on whether or not to call the newly built golf areas “links” continued on. In June of that summer the Butte Miner entered the discussion, letting readers know the Butte Golf Club declared that golfers “must not call it ‘grounds.’ Links is the correct word.”

The Butte Golf Club’s word generally carried a lot of weight back in those days, however, a short time later it was the well-articulated Anaconda Golf Club who came to the defense of sausage with a prescient final statement titled

“Don’t

Say ‘Links’” on the future of the term.

Although the Anaconda Golf club is not very much in evidence these days it may please some of the local enthusiasts to learn that according to golfing authorities it is not good form to say “links.” The bologna sausage name is being tabooed and the word “course” is taking its place. In a strictly golfing sense “links” doesn’t mean anything at all. The use of the word came from the fact that the first courses were laid out in Scotland, where the rolling sand dunes and hillocks of the land of the thistle and heather are called links. From this the word came to be applied to the course itself and is now in general use. The experts, however, object to it as a duffer expression, and the plebeians’ “links” will probably be shoved to the background in favor of the mellifluent “course.”

According to the USGA, the Anaconda Golf Club pretty much had the definition right in that links “refers to a very specific geographic land form found in Scotland.” The term itself comes from the Old English word hlinc, which referred to a rising ground or ridge. The word “course” has certainly become the preferred word over the years when referring to golfing areas, yet “links” is still around and often used as an alternative term despite the original definitions not lining up with how it's often used in present day. Is this okay? Should we change the definition of “links?”

Whatever the case I think we can all agree, like the Anaconda Golf Club said, let’s leave sausage out of this.

Anaconda Golf Club weighed in on the "Links" debate with a final statement advising against the word's usage in golf.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER CAPTURES THE 2024 MASTERS TOURNAMENT

BY DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press Golf Writer

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) ‒ Scottie Scheffler spent more time looking at his feet than any of the white leaderboards at Augusta National, all of them showing what everyone was watching — a Masters champion again, the undisputed best player in golf.

He prefers to stay in his own little world, population one.

Nobody is close to him in the game at the moment.

Scheffler is No. 1 in the world by a margin not seen since Tiger Woods in his prime. In nine tournaments this year, he doesn’t have a

round over par and has earned over $15 million. And on Sunday, he delivered the greatest piece of evidence when he slipped into that green jacket.

Scheffler pulled ahead with magnificent shots around the turn, poured it on along the back nine as his challengers melted away with mistakes and closed with a 4-under 68 to claim his second Masters in three years with a fourshot victory.

“I had a lot of really talented players trying to chase me down, and I knew pars weren’t going to get it done,” Scheffler said.

Unlike two years ago when he won his first major, there were no doubts Sunday morning, no tears, and no wife to reassure him he was

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Scottie Scheffler celebrates his win at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday in Augusta, Ga.

built for a moment like this. His wife, Meredith, was home in Dallas expecting their first child at the end of the month.

Much like Woods he made the outcome look inevitable with sublime control, the difference being a peach shirt instead of Sunday red, and no fist pumps until it was over.

After sharing hugs with caddie Ted Scott and Collin Morikawa, Scheffler turned to face the crowd with both arms raised. “WOOOOOO!” he yelled, slamming his fist.

Masters newcomer Ludvig Aberg, among four players who had a share of the lead at one point, lost ground with his approach went into the pond left of the 11th hole and he made double bogey. Against a player like Scheffler, those mistakes are not easy to overcome.

Aberg closed with a 69 and was the runner-up, not a bad debut for someone playing in his first major championship.

Morikawa, who had two double bogeys to fall out of the hunt, shot 74 and tied for third with Tommy Fleetwood (69) and Max Homa

hopes ended on the par-3 12th

bogey

“He is pretty amazing at letting things roll off his back and stepping up to very difficult golf shots and treating them like their own,” Homa said about Scheffler. “He’s obviously a tremendous talent, but I think that is his superpower.”

Woods, meanwhile, closed with a 77 and finished in last place at 16-over 304, the highest 72-hole score of his career. This came two days after he set the Masters record for making his 24th consecutive cut.

The 27-year-old Scheffler is the fourth-youngest player to have two green jackets. He now has three victories against the strongest fields — Bay Hill, The Players Championship and the Masters — in his last four starts. The other was a runner-up finish in Houston.

Scheffler finished at 11-under 277 and earned $3.6 million from the $20 million purse.

Scottie Scheffler holds the trophy after winning the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday in Augusta, Ga. (73), whose

with a double

from the bushes, not Rae’s Creek.

AP Photo / Matt Slocum

Perhaps even more daunting for the rest of golf is that Scheffler now has 10 victories worldwide dating to his first PGA Tour title at the Phoenix Open just two years and two months ago.

During that stretch, Scheffler has finished in the top 10 a staggering 65% of the time.

It was the fourth straight Masters when the winner came to the 18th green with one arm in the green jacket. That doesn’t mean Sunday was a walk in golf’s most gorgeous garden.

“I felt like I was battling the whole week,” Scheffler said. “It was a long week. I had to battle some ups and downs. And, you know, I’m very fortunate to be sitting here with you.”

Four players had a share of the lead at various points along the front nine, and then Scheffler began to assert himself with three straight birdies around the turn.

He got up-and-down with a 10-foot birdie

putt at the par-5 eighth. He hit the perfect wedge that caught the ridge and came inches within going in on No. 9, leaving him a tap-in birdie. And then he holed another 10-foot birdie putt on the 10th to build a two-shot lead.

“I hadn’t hit many good iron shots, which is a bit unusual for me,” Scheffler said. “And going into No. 9, it was nice to get that feeling of hitting a really well-struck shot and then it set me up to have a really nice back nine.”

And then, just like in the best days of Woods, he let everyone else make the big numbers.

In the group ahead, Aberg’s approach to the 11th slammed off the bank and into the water, leading to double bogey.

Homa managed a tough par on the 11th, only to hit it so long over the par-3 12th the golf ball plunged deep into bushes and left him no choice but to take a penalty drop. His chip

Ludvig Aberg hits from the bunker on the 18th hole during Sunday's final round of the Masters, where he finished in second place.

didn’t reach the green, and two putts later he had double bogey.

Morikawa already had begun to slide by taking two shots to get out of a deep bunker left of the ninth green for double bogey. He all but sealed his fate with a shot into the water on the 11th and took double bogey.

Aberg was the only one who battled back, and Scheffler kept answering with birdies. He hit the 13th green in two and two-putted for birdie. His approach to the 14th hit the slope toward the back and rolled down to a foot from the pin.

His final birdie came from just inside 10 feet on the 16th.

Defending champion Jon Rahm, now with Saudi-funded LIV Golf, closed with a 76 and tied for 45th, 20 shots behind Scheffler. He was in Butler Cabin to help Scheffler into the

green jacket.

Rahm had not faced Scheffler all year and witnessed what the PGA Tour players are up against each week. His tee-to-green play is reminiscent of Woods, though certainly not the emotion, the worldwide appeal or the number of victories.

Scheffler’s emotions came when he thought about the next prize.

“You’re about to make me cry here in Butler Cabin,” Scheffler said when asked about the impending birth. “It’s a very special time for both of us. I can’t put into words what it means to win this tournament again. I really can’t put into words what it’s going to be like to be a father for the first time. I’m looking forward to getting home and celebrating with Meredith.

“Its been a long week here without her, but I’m just looking forward to getting home.”

Max Homa (top) looks for his ball on the 12th hole during final round at the Masters Sunday in Augusta, Ga.

AP Photo/George Walker IV

BUT THERE'S NO FROST AT MY HOUSE!

BY ELLIOTT L. DOWLING USGA REGIONAL DIRECTOR - EAST

Just about every golf course that has ever had a frost delay has probably had to deal with comments from golfers about there being no frost at their house. The explanation is pretty simple, weather conditions that affect one location might not have the same impact in another location nearby. Beyond that basic fact, there are some specific reasons why golf courses may be more vulnerable to frost than your front yard.

Frost lingers longer in a shaded environment than one that is more open. On a golf course with trees lining fairways or surround-

ing greens, sunlight is slower to penetrate leaves and branches so turf will hold on to frost later in the morning. Compare that to a home where there might be fewer trees. Sun gets to the grass shortly after sunrise and “burns off” the frost earlier than it might at the nearby golf course.

Orientation to the sun, prevailing wind and topography also play a role in frost severity and duration. Golf courses generally wind through a landscape with holes going in many directions. Holes also go up, down and over hills and valleys. The front half of a fairway could be north facing and lose frost later than the second half that turns to the south. Golf holes also play into low-lying valleys where cold air

Topography and trees are two of the main reasons why there may be frost at the golf course even if your yard is totally clear.

can settle, causing frost to linger. If your front yard is facing the morning sun and gets plenty of air movement, you can expect frost to melt sooner than it would on that drop-shot par 3 surrounded by trees.

I’m going to assume most homeowners wouldn’t remove a level from their house or cut down all the trees in their yard to lessen frost, but there are some options on a golf course to help reduce frost delays. Tree spacing and location are important for several reasons on a course, but their impact on frost is certainly a consideration. Too many trees planted too close

to a fairway or green are going to cause shade that may extend frost delays. The longevity of the frost could be reduced if the trees were removed or at minimum thinned out to allow shafts of light to reach the ground.

The important thing is that you don’t make assumptions on frost delay length or how much rain fell at the course from your home. There are too many variables to think that what you see out your front window is what you should expect at the course. When in doubt, call the golf shop for an update before heading over.

While frost delays can be frustrating, the temporary inconvenience helps protect long-term playing quality.

USGA

SETTING A TARGET FOR YOUR ROUND

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Article originally published in The Golfer's Journal

You’re standing on the first tee, headcover off the driver, tee in the ground. Thoughts swirl as you take your final practice swing. The still-blank scorecard brings a rush of optimism, along with one overarching thought: “I hope I play well today.”

But how do you define what “playing well” means? How can you set a reasonable goal for the round, especially on an unfamiliar course or a new set of tees?

The short answer: By knowing your target score. While “target score” isn’t defined within the Rules of Handicapping, it is certainly a term that every golfer with a Handicap Index® would benefit from knowing. Here are three key things to know about target score:

What is it?

A target score is the score you’ll shoot if you “play to your handicap.” If your Hand-

icap Index is 15.0, for example, the posted score would result in a Score Differential™ of about 15.0. In other words, if you shoot your target score or better, you’ve had a great day!

How do you determine it?

Easy – simply add your Course Handicap™ to the par of the tees you’re playing. If your Course Handicap is, say, 20, and par is 70, your target score would be 90.

How often should I shoot it?

Your Handicap Index measures your demonstrated ability when you’re playing well – so to play to your handicap takes a solid performance. Generally, players shoot their target score about 15-20 percent of the time and can expect to shoot 2-5 strokes higher in most rounds.

Since your Course Handicap changes from one set of tees to another, you can also use target score to identify the most appropriate set for you. At the very least, knowing your target score before starting a round lets you better anticipate the challenge that lies ahead!

USGA

COLLEGE GOLF ROUNDUP

BY TY SPARING

MSGA Communications Coordinator

MSU-Billings Women’s and Men’s Golf at the NNU Nighthawk Challenge

The MSU-Billings men’s and women’s golf teams were recently in Nampa, Idaho, to golf against some competitive teams at the Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawk Challenge. Held April 12-13, both teams had two rounds at the Redhawk Golf Course in what was the final spring tune-up before the GNAC conference championships starting April 22.

On the women’s side MSU-B finished in fifth place with a final two round score of +114. Meilyn Armstrong (pictured below) led the way for the Yellowjackets finishing in 19th

place with a 29-over 171 over two rounds. Teammate Haylee Adams was just a stroke back finishing in a tie for 20th at +30. Chloe Van Strien ended up in 24th at +34, while Tatum York-Bement and Adessa Lundberg tied each other for 27th place at +36.

For full women’s results CLICK HERE

On the men’s side MSU-B finished in ninth place with a final score of +80 over the two rounds. Brady Cady (pictured below) led the group with a +14, which put him in a tie for 25th place. Trey Engellant was next at +23 which put him in a tie for 36th. Hayato Ito and Jarek Shepherd tied each other for 38th place at +25, and Quinn Haigwood rounded out the group in a tie for 40th place at +26.

For full men’s results CLICK HERE

Mailyn Armstrong

Brady Cady

MSU and UM at the Bobcat Desert Classic

The Montana State and University of Montana golf teams finished up a busy week of golf April 8-10 at the Bobcat Desert Classic down in Goodyear, Ariz. MSU hosted the event which saw seventeen competitive teams play three rounds at the Golf Club of Estrella. It was the final tune-up before the Big Sky Conference Championships a week later.

UM ended up the higher of the two Montana schools, beating out MSU by eight strokes on their way to a 12th place finish at +22. The Griz got off to a hot start with a first round score of 288, which matched the best single round in program history set during the 2010-11 season. Over the three rounds UM had strong performances all around with four golfers placing in the top half of the field.

Once again Raina Ports led the way for the Griz, tying for 26th with a 4-over 220 across the three rounds. It was a solid finish in the

final event of the regular season for Ports, who has improved throughout the season. Hannah Ports was second on the team, just two strokes behind her sister in a tie for 36th at +6. Kendall Hayward finished in 38th at +7, and Elle Higgins tied for 45th place at +8.

MSU finished up in 14th place as a team at +10. Scarlet Weidig led all Montana golfers with another top-20 performance in this final event of the regular season, finishing in a tie for 16th place with a 1-under 217. One of the top golfers in the Big Sky Conference, Weidig will go into the Conference Championships as someone to keep an eye on. Lauren Greeny joined Weidig in the top half of the field, finishing in a tie with UM’s Elle Higgins, among others for 45th place at +8.

Grand Canyon won the team event at -11 over the 54 hole event, while Seattle University’s Rivekka Jumagulova was the individual winner by four strokes at -12. CLICK HERE for full results.

RJGA Palm Valley Classic

The Yellowjackets put together quite a performance at the RJGA Palm Valley Classic April 8-9. Playing against a host of highly ranked teams, MSU-B added a couple scores to the program record books on their way to finishing in a tie for 14th place with a season best three-round score of 868. Not only was it a season best team score, but is also tied for the sixth best score in MSU-B history. It certainly helped the cause having 56 birdies and three eagles throughout the tournament, along with several players shooting personal best scores.

Leading the way once again for the Yellowjackets was Paul O’Neil who shot a collegiate career best score of a 2-under-par 214, which put him in a tie for 23rd place. Once again a stroke back from O’Neil, Carson Garner had a career day himself, placing in a tie for 28th

after shooting a collegiate best 215 over the three days. Garner had two eagles throughout the event.

And then perhaps the story of the tournament for MSU-Billings was Kevin Kolb who finished in a tie for 43rd at 218 over threerounds. After a fairly middle-of-the-road first two rounds of 75-78, Kolb caught on fire during the third round hitting nine birdies on his way to a score of 65, which was not only a personal best, but also the third lowest single round score in program history.

After multiple career days no doubt the Yellowjackets will be going into the GNAC Championships in Coeur d’Alene with a boost of confidence. That will be held April 22-23 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

For full results of the RJGA Palm Valley Classic, CLICK HERE.

MSU-Billings posted a T-14 finish at the RJGA Palm Valley Classic.

Desert Shootout

The MSU-Billings men’s golf team was down in Goodyear, Ariz., to play in two tournaments in the span of five days in early April. The Hot Dirt Desert Shootout which was held April 5-6 at the Golf Club of Estrella saw the Yellowjackets compete over two-rounds against 17 other teams from across the U.S.

MSU-B ultimately finished in 15th place at +35 over the two-rounds. They were led by Paul O’Neil who finished in a tie for 42nd at +6. Also in the top half of the field were Carson Garner and Blake Finn who finished just one stroke back from teammate O’Neil, finishing in a tie for 50th at +7.

Eighth ranked Colorado Christian won the team event by four strokes at -10. Dallas Baptist University’s Sam Jenkins had two rounds in the sixties to win the individual title at -8.

For full results of the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout, CLICK HERE

MSU-Billings Men’s Golf at the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout and the RJGA Palm Valley Classic Hot Dirt

The MSU-Billings men finished in 15th place at the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout, improving by 13 shots round over round to end up at +35.

Hayden Foltz