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ON THE FIRST TEE...

With Nick Dietzen

As we turn the page on another calendar year, we hope that 2024 was a year of growth for you both on and off the golf course. Each year brings renewed optimism and in turn, as we take stock of the year that was, we are reminded of not only what’s to come, but what was achieved.

For the MSGA, 2024 represented the beginning of new chapter in the association’s history. We continue to add to our story as 2025 will bring with it some new events, expansion of programs and announcements we are excited to reveal in the coming season.

In this issue, you’ll read about the upcoming championship schedule for 2025. Our staff is working with clubs and volunteers to prepare not only for next year, but future seasons as well. The offseason doesn’t represent a break in the action, but rather a pivot to looking ahead.

Speaking of which, we have a plan. The plan is ambitious, strategic and it’s a plan that our board and staff is proud of. MSGA Leadership convened in Billings last year and the passion for the future was palpable. Our mission is: To promote golf to serve and connect the Montana golf community.

406golf Consulting Editor David Bataller calls We-Ko-Pa Golf Club "Heaven for golfers..." and we can see why through photos like this.

Jeff Marsh

This year, we reimagined our publications with the introduction of 406golf. We hope that you have noticed the myriad ways that we are already serving our golf community, and our expectation is to continue providing new programs, opportunities and partnerships to benefit all Montanans who share in our love and appreciation for golf.

One example of our commitment to our membership was joining the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. Our tournament players have additional competition opportunities. Our staff have peers to learn, share and collaborate with. All our members have a quarterly magazine delivered to their residence. With each investment, the need for additional resources and financial support becomes more necessary.

The MSGA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that invests membership revenue back into the game. As we continue to expand our reach and programs, our costs to fulfill our mission increase. Like many of the organizations you are a supporter of, we are faced with financial barriers to delivering our programs. Financially supporting the MSGA with a tax-deductible gift helps ensure that we can continue to provide financial support throughout the golf community.

MSGA ABOUT US

BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OFFICERS

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

VICE PRESIDENT................ Ron Ramsbacher

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

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

WOMEN’S CHAIR...................... Mary Bryson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bill Dunn, Ron Ramsbacher, Brett Bennyhoff, Rod Stirling, Mary Bryson, 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

Graphic Design & Content Coordinator......... Katie Fagg

USGA Boatwright Intern................................. Jess Miller

PARTNERSHIPS

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

406GOLF STAFF

Editor in Chief............................................... Nick Dietzen

Consulting Editor........................................ David Bataller

Staff Writer........................................................ Ty Sparing

Graphic Designer............................................... Katie Fagg

Montana State Golf Association P.O. Box 4306

Helena, MT 59604

1 (800) 628-3752 www.msgagolf.org

Together, we can continue to invest in our junior golf program and provide opportunities and access to a new generation of golfers, who, like you, will benefit from a lifelong love affair with this game. Please join me by making a gift to our 2024 year-end campaign.

We are asking for you to help us continue investing in our juniors as we continue to plan for their golf future. This past year, the MSGA Junior Program included:

• $20,000 in grant funding to develop opportunities to introduce juniors to the game of golf through golf in schools and community instruction programs.

• $21,600 in scholarship awards to graduating seniors for higher education pursuits.

• Nearly $30,000 in expenses to send Team Montana to the regional competitions.

• In partnership with Youth on Course, 20 clubs offered $5 green fees to over 600 juniors.

• The MSGA is committed to making junior memberships free. The 1,412 juniors who signed up in 2024 represented a record number and a 139% increase from 2023!

As we look ahead to the next three years, we are energized by the opportunities for the next generation of golfers of all ages. Golf is as vibrant as ever and our role in supporting the golf community is as important as ever. We hope you will join us as a supporter of our work.

Together, we can do even more for the future of golf in Montana.

Together, we are Montana Golf!

1. Who introduced you to golf?

My dad, Dale Newell. He was the head pro at Bill Roberts Golf Course for about 20 years while I was growing up. I probably started swinging a club around age 6.

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

My dad and my sister, Devon. My dad drove us around in a conversion van during our teenage years to junior tour tournaments and was our swing coach. My sister is three years older than me and I have always looked up to her - from high school to collegiate D1 golf… I was always aspiring to beat her! I had a golf scholarship to the University of South Alabama in the Sunbelt Conference.

3. What’s the best part of your golf game?

Short game - specifically chipping. Years of using the shag bag at a young age truly does pay off.

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

Whitefish Lake - so many memories from tournaments there in High School and many times playing the 4th of July Tournament. I’ve also had two hole-in-ones there!

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

Augusta National - the Masters is always during the week of my birthday which makes that week memorable every year.

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

I am really looking forward to the day when my 4, 2 and almost 1-year-old boys get older − they will “want” to play with their mama and enjoy the game of golf as much as I have.

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

Winning the women’s state amateur back in 2010 with my dad on the bag. I birdied the last hole to shoot 68 and win by one stroke.

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

Free drop from divots. There's nothing worse than hitting a great drive and finding it in a large divot.

9. What advice would you give to beginner golfers?

Practice makes perfect.

Bonus: Lay up or go for it?

If it’s reachable go for it!

COLLEGE GOLF SIGNINGS

BY TY SPARING & KATIE FAGG MSGA Communcations Coordinator & MSGA Graphic Designer

The landscape of collegiate golf in Montana will be changing soon as teams announced new additions on national signing day earlier in November.

Fortunately for us a handful of our best high school players chose to stay in-state, and we’ll have the pleasure of rooting them on for another four years!

UM GRIZZLIES

Fans of the Griz golf team are no doubt excited about the recent signing of Frenchtown phenom Katie Lewis. Having won three straight Class A individual titles and potentially her third straight Montana State Junior Championship this summer, Lewis is arguably the most decorated female junior golfer in our state’s history.

Sticking close to home, Lewis will no doubt look to keep up her winning ways when she enters the Big Sky Conference and could have an immediate impact on a young Grizzlies team that is growing with talent.

Joining Lewis in the UM signing class is Hope Torres out of Broomfield, Colorado. Torres is coming off a 2024 golf season at Prospect Ridge Academy that saw her claim a dramatic Class 3A individual title after defeating the two-time defending champ.

MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Montana State University’s women’s golf team has strengthened its roster with the addition of four talented recruits from across the country. Peyton DeBruin of Houston, Tex., is coming off an exciting fall season, clenching her first Prestige Tour victory of 2024, marking the fourth win of her junior golf career.

Lauren Nau, from Scottsdale, Ariz., capped off her impressive high school golf career with a strong 6th-place finish at the State Championship Tournament. Her outstanding performance throughout the season earned her the title of Most Valuable Player in her district.

Katie Lewis

Lauren Nau

Peyton DeBruin

Sailor Graham, a rising star from Malibu, Calif., has made an incredible impact in golf despite only starting the sport at the age of 15. She has quickly found success, showcasing natural talent and an impressive work ethic on the Southern California Junior Tour.

Ashleigh Wilson, from Highlands Ranch, Colo., has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments over the past two seasons, establishing herself as a dominant force in junior golf. Most notably, she captured both the Colorado Junior PGA Championship and Colorado PGA Junior Match Play titles in 2023 as well as a first place finish at the 5A Colorado State Championships in 2024.

These four athletes are set to make a significant impact as they commit to competing for the Bobcats.

MSU-BILLINGS

The Yellowjackets doubled up on their Montana signings with Laurel’s Cameron Hackmann for the boys team, while Great Falls High’s Hanna Boyd signed with the girls.

Hackmann, who won the Class A individual state title in 2021 for the Locomotives, was an integral part of the golfing dynasty under coach Jim O’Neil that saw three state team championships in his four years of high school. Staying close to his hometown of Laurel, Hackmann will fit right in with a talented Yellowjackets team.

Boyd meanwhile was an All-State golfer for Great Falls High, finishing runner-up in 2024 for the Class AA individual title after a dramatic playoff performance against Billings’ Becca Washington. Boyd is also the most recent

Sailor Graham

Ashleigh Wilson

winner of the MSGA’s Carla Berg Award which is handed out to the low junior player in the Women’s State Amateur Championship. She finished in a tie for ninth place as the only high schooler in a top ten full of collegiate golfers.

The signing of Boyd is more good news for a women’s Yellowjacket team that just finished up arguably their best fall portion of the golf season in program history.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE

Laurel’s Sam Norman will also stick close to home after signing with the Rocky Mountain Battlin’ Bears. Most recently finishing in second place at the Class A state tournament, Norman was also one of the leaders of the dynastic Locomotives golf teams that won three state titles during his four years of high school competition. A two-time Junior Americas Cup qualifier, Norman is widely known for his work ethic which should fit right in with high expectations of the Rocky Mountain golf teams.

Sam Norman

Hannah Boyd

Cameron Hackmann

LOOKING AHEAD: 2025 PNGA SENIOR AND SUPER SENIOR MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AT OLD WORKS

BY TY SPARING

MSGA Communications Coordinator

One of the many events that the MSGA is looking forward to next year is the PNGA Senior and Super Men’s Amateur Championship that will be held at Old Works next September 16-18. As new members of the Pacific North-

west Golf Association, this will mark only the third time that a PNGA event will be held on Montana soil, the first in 1913 when it was hosted by the historic Butte Country Club, and the second time in 1995 when they held the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur at the Yellowstone Country Club in Billings.

The first time around a young E.J. “Ted”

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA )will conduct its Senior and Super Senior Men’s Amateur Championship at Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda, Mont., on September 16-18, 2025.

Barker was runner up to an exceptional golfer out of Victoria, Canada named A.V. Macan. Macan went on to become a PNGA Hall of Famer and eventually donated his trophy from the 1913 Butte event to be used as the “perpetual trophy of the PNGA Amateur,” which is still in use today! Barker meanwhile went on to win nine Montana State Amateurs, a record that remains untouched.

82 years later at the Yellowstone Country Club the PNGA hosted the Junior Amateur Championship in which Oregon’s 16-year-old Brian Nosler won his final match play event after hitting some remarkable shots down the stretch. As then PNGA referee Gary Mogg com-

mented, “I just witnessed 36 holes of incredible golf. That’s the greatest match I’ve ever seen. It’s unfortunate we can’t have two champions, but we had two winners out there today.”

We’re certainly glad it didn’t take another 82 years to host a PNGA event and we look forward to many more. If the previous two amateur championships that Montana hosted are any indication, we can expect to watch some excellent golf and dramatic finishes next fall at Old Works for the PNGA Senior and Super Senior Amateur Championships!

For those who meet the age and handicap requirements and are interested in signing-up, keep an eye out for registration later this spring.

Old Works is an ideal fit for a PNGA Senior and Super Senior Men’s Amateur, as it provides the ability to test players in all facets of the game and offers great flexibility in yardage with multiple teeing options.

DEALING WITH DORMANCY

BY CORY ISOM SENIOR CONSULTING AGRONOMIST, WEST REGION

Just like deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, changing environmental conditions can cause turfgrasses to go dormant for extended periods of time. In this sleeplike state, the grasses are not dead, they will typically recover when conditions for growth improve. Read on to learn about why grass goes dormant, what it means for your golf game and how different courses handle periods of dormancy.

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

Dormancy is a mechanism that helps plants survive when environmental conditions are unfavorable. Many of a grass plant’s

vital growing functions slow to a crawl or stop altogether in response to shorter day length, colder temperatures and/or a lack of water. The turf usually loses color, becomes more brittle, and grass blades may begin to fall off from traffic. Given the variability of our climate in North America, nearly all golf course turf will experience unfavorable environmental conditions at some point in the year. Winter dormancy is common across the U.S., but dormancy due to drought can affect grasses during warmer weather as well.

While the grass may look dead on the surface, life belowground is still carrying on –albeit at a much slower pace. Once the conditions for growth become favorable again, the plant recovers and starts to look green and normal.

Dormant grass may look dead, but it’s very much alive; the plants are just waiting for better growing conditions. Dormant playing surfaces can be great for golf, but they have to be managed carefully since dormant grass cannot recover from wear and damage.

USGA/ Bill Hornstein

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GOLFERS?

It is usually fine to play golf on dormant turfgrass. Actually, dormant grass can offer some of the best playing conditions you’ll ever encounter. Dormancy means tighter lies and faster conditions because there is less resistance in the leaves. Dormant grass also doesn’t require much water, so very firm conditions are possible. In fact, many courses take steps to ensure that dormant greens don’t get too firm and fast for reasonable playability!

However, it is important to know that recovery from wear and damage can be slow or nonexistent on dormant grass. Traffic

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.

damage, ball marks and divots will linger for the duration of the dormancy period. Golf courses may implement extra cart restrictions, move tee markers to unusual locations and even have golfers hitting off mats on some tees to limit damage during dormancy. You can help minimize wear and tear during periods of dormancy by following cart and directional signage, not taking practice swing divots and always repairing your ball marks.

It is worth noting that each golf course is unique in how it handles times when the grass is dormant or growing very slowly. Always make sure to check with the golf shop for any play restrictions.