406golf Newsletter - March 1, 2024

ON THE FIRST TEE...

With Nick Dietzen

The success of nearly every nonprofit requires significant volunteer contributions. The MSGA is governed by a board of directors who have tirelessly contributed leadership and creating a strategic plan to guide the organization over the next few years. We look forward to sharing our plan with you this spring. Beyond our board members, we rely on volunteers extensively.

This past year, we saw an increase in volunteer participation at our events and, in the coming months, we will continue to communicate opportunities and ask for your help in recruiting new volunteers to help support our tournaments in various capacities.

Many of our tournament players are familiar with volunteers at our championships. One of the highlights for players when they play in statewide, regional, or national events is the atmosphere that is created through the atten-

tion to detail, and contributions from staff and passionate volunteers.

Golf is a unique sport governed by a set of rules, but with players acting as their own officials, with rules volunteers serving as more of a resource than throwing flags or blowing a whistle. The Rules of Golf are extensive and challenging. Many players believe they are near-expert level in the rules, but sadly that is a designation only a handful of Montanans currently can claim. If you are interested in learning more about the rules and opportunities to learn, please reach out to our Tournament Director, Tim Bakker.

There is a community feel that exists with volunteers. It takes a committed group, selflessness, and the willingness to give back. That is the most commonly uttered phrase I hear when I visit with prospective and current volunteers. The need to give something back to the game that has enriched their lives. Again, golf is truly unique – I have several friends who are long-distance runners, and their races require immense numbers of volunteers. Some are runners giving back, but often they are just folks who want to help for a cause or to get outside. Not every volunteer role requires golf knowledge, but the benefits are felt by all who compete and attend. Great tournaments need great volunteers. Interested in learning more? Contact our Operations Manager, Michael Williams.

MSGA Volunteer Mack Clapp watches as Hall of Famer Joey Lovell tees off at the 2023 Montana State Amateur, hosted by Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda.

Throughout the year we will be highlighting updates to the World Handicap System™ for 2024. Even for the most dedicated golfers, most are unaware of the changes in this area. Paramount to understanding the handicap system is understanding course rating. Montana is fortunate to have a dedicated and experienced group of volunteers who traverse the state to collect data, measure courses, and provide course ratings for golf courses in our jurisdiction as the allied golf association (AGA) for Montana.

The MSGA Junior Instruction Grant Program has been a very successful program with numerous grant applications, wonderful stories, with the purpose of encouraging growth among golf ’s next generation. There is still much work to be done. Whether it is donating equipment, volunteering time, or supporting financially, we can all help. We all benefit from a vibrant golf community and joyous juniors bring a wonderful contrast to oftentimes serious nature of our golfing community.

As you can sense a theme, we serve the Montana Golf Community in myriad ways and have opportunities for interested golfers or people who want to be around golf to help pitch in. I hope you will consider reaching out to learn more about opportunities that exist and ways to help. You’ll be glad you did. My main takeaway has been that the majority of those who have volunteered often return year after year. After all, it feels good to give back!

Thank you to our existing volunteers, we couldn’t do any of this without you! To those who are curious, reach out to us – we’d love to meet you.

MSGA ABOUT US

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 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

JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!

BY EMILY HULSEY MSGA Director of Membership Operations

It’s that time of year again, to renew your MSGA membership for the 2024 season! That way, you’ll be ready to go when the season opens April 1st, or before then, if you’re playing where it is in-season. And, you’ll be set when registration opens for state events - also April 1st!

If you registered online last year and opted for auto-renewal, you’re good to go! You should receive a notice prior to the renewal. Otherwise, go to www.msgagolf.org/join-themsga to renew online. Be sure to have your GHIN# handy. The majority of clubs allow online registration and renewals, but if your home club isn’t listed, you can contact them directly for assistance. Please note: Registering through the GHIN app does not allow you to choose your home club. Please go through the MSGA website instead.

If you have never had an MSGA membership, we encourage you to join our community! An MSGA membership is for more than “just a handicap”! The MSGA is a non-profit advocate to the game you love! It serves as a liaison to the USGA® and an advocate to any course or member needing assistance. It provides valuable services essential to the golfing community in Montana.

MSGA Membership Benefits:

• Handicap Index®, with daily revisions and bi-monthly email revisions

• Access to the Golf Handicap Information Network® (GHIN®)

• Free GHIN smartphone app

• Free stat tracking, charting, GPS/Games features

• Eligible to participate in state and regional tournaments

• Eligible to participate in PNGA events

• Free junior memberships (18 & under)

• MSGA E-Newsletter, 406golf

• Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine

• 20% discount on StrackaLine Yardage Books Free copy of USGA® Rules of Golf, upon request

• Hole-in-one Certificates

Your MSGA Membership also helps to fund: Course rating, junior MSGA memberships and junior golf programs/tournaments, MSGA state tournaments and the Montana Cup, Rules Education and Rules officials for events, World Handicap System™ Education, Peaks & Prairies Education (agronomy, greenskeeping), university & college scholarships, and the MSGA Hall of Fame. Part of your membership fee also goes back to support your local club.

To join or renew your MSGA membership, CLICK HERE. If you need help, please contact us at support@msgagolf.org.

GIVING BACK TO THE MSGA

“How far do I have”? More than you think…

“This is going to be fast isn’t it”? Just get it going...

“Can you keep your eye on this for me”? I got it...

“Do you have a tee I can borrow”? Here you go...

“Am I out”? Go ahead if you’re ready...

W hether we like it or not, and whether the foursome is filled with friends, or randoms, the life of a golfer is that of a volunteer. Need help with the yardage? I have your back. Need help finding an errant tee shot? I’ll help you look! Forgot your sunscreen? I have plenty!

After 22 years of playing in MSGA events, I had the pleasure of volunteering last year at my home course, Green Meadow Country Club, when they had the honor of hosting the Montana State Women’s Championships. It was wonderful. It was eye opening. In all the years of playing in MSGA events, I had never been the volunteer being told, “Thanks.” I had tried to remember at every event through the years as a competitor, to thank the staff, thank the shop, thank the check in table, thank the mower, thank the starter, thank the scoring table, basically anyone in a uniform was getting a thanks. It was my time last year in the volunteer role, and it was everything I expected it to be. An avalanche of thanks. Plus, the golf was stellar.

So, MSGA golfers and competitors, remember…”do you have an extra tee?” “Can you keep your eye on this?” The volunteering is built in! Don’t be afraid to give it a try. If an MSGA event is in your neck of the woods, I highly recommend it. None of your shots count that day! You will miss zero putts that day! You will be bogey free that day! Volunteer. And if I forgot the last time I saw you, “Thanks.”

Michael Williams Operations Manager, MSGA

1. Who introduced you to golf?

A friend took me golfing soon after I moved to Montana in 1995; I had never picked up a club before then, but it was love at first swing!

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

George My friend Billy Ray Harvey. He taught me the fine points of golf etiquette when I was a newbie via, let’s say, graphic verbal illustrations.

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

Outreach. I feel there is a large population of Montana recreational golfers that need to know how MSGA can serve them.

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

There are a dozen courses I love, but my home course of Cottonwood Hills is both home and work for me; being on that course gives me a strong sense of community and connection.

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

Pebble Beach!

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

No way would I want to golf with celebrities – I got plenty of head noise without adding that to the equation.

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

I was playing with two friends and all 3 of us were closely matched thru 17 holes. On the difficult par 5, 18th hole, we decided whoever lost the hole had to buy drinks.

Each of us was on in 4, each of us had 30 foot putts, all from different directions. One after the other, all three of us sunk our putts. Amazing!

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

The cost; I wish it were more accessible to all.

9. What brought you to the MSGA? What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the board?

Carla Berg got me to join the MSWGA board and I am grateful for it. Being aboard during these past years of merging and growing has been interesting and rewarding. I hope to continue to promote the game of golf for all golfers in Montana.

Bonus: Lay up or go for it?

Go For It!

Tracy Paine and her dog, Ping

SNOW, FLOODS AND WIND:

COPING WITH WINTER WEATHER

BY BRIAN GIETKA USGA Agronomist - East Region

The Northeast has been bombarded with severe weather lately. Many areas received snow and other parts of the region endured soaking rains and flooding while damaging winds affected most courses regardless of the type of precipitation. Current golf course conditions vary from soft surfaces with restricted play to damaged and closed.

Unfortunately, the forecast shows the potential for more debilitating weather, so be diligent in communicating to golfers during these challenging circumstances. Like any winter, rounds are lower and the turf isn’t growing so many facilities have reduced staff. With less staff, the arduous tasks of cleaning up an entire golf course, repairing bunker washouts,

removing damaged trees and limbs, and many other post-storm duties will require days or even weeks to complete.

Accessing a saturated golf course with heavy equipment may not be feasible for at least a few days after a big storm and areas with lingering wetness will require most cleanup to be done by hand. Utilizing boards or mats to protect the ground is a good way to get heavier equipment safely around the golf course to expedite cleanup.

Flooding can leave a silt, sand or debris layer atop the turf. This should be addressed sooner rather than later. A silt layer can seal off the profile and impede water infiltration, leading to long-term problems.

Thickly covered areas that require front-end loaders, box blades and other equipment to clean may have to wait for the ground to be-

Careful management can prevent course damage during winter. In the end, the weather dictates what is possible. (USGA/Jonathan Ernst)

come firmer to avoid causing even more damage. Irrigation systems are winterized, so using portable water tanks to wash lighter silt layers away is another proven tactic. After the surfaces are firm enough, brushes and metal drag mats can be used to further break up accumulated material to make surfaces playable again. If a silt layer is observed in the soil profile, plan for extra cultivation to break it up.

Additionally, test infrastructure components now to minimize surprises when spring arrives. Continue checking irrigation control-

If any in-progress projects were compromised by storm damage, it may be prudent to evaluate the situation and, if necessary, start over on the project to ensure long-term success. If you’ve been affected by recent storms, please reach out to your regional USGA agronomist to assist in recovery and help make the best decisions for the golf course.

Having a plan for what to do before and after severe storms can help you minimize damage and expedite recovery. (USGA/John Mummert)

USGA

J. CAMPBELL CORY:

MONTANA’S FIRST BEST GOLFER

BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator

In the 125 years since golf was introduced in Montana, there has been a select group of people that could rightly make the claim of being the state’s very best golfer, at least at some point in time. After the Butte Country Club opened in 1899, the unofficial title of “Montana’s Best Golfer” has ebbed and flowed across eras, with some individuals wearing the crown for years on end, while others only able to grasp it for a short and glorious moment.

Legendary Treasure State golfers like E.J. Barker, Edean Anderson, Helen Tremper, and Gene Cook are just a handful of names that were once considered the very best of the best, having won just about every tournament they entered. However, before all these greats entered the history books there was a man named John Campbell Cory, and he was Montana’s first best golfer.

John Campbell Cory, (otherwise known primarily as J. Campbell Cory) was born on September 11, 1867 in Waukegan, Illinois, the second of six children. Having taught himself how to draw as a child, in his late teenage years Cory left the house and spent over a decade floating around various publications and periodicals working as an illustrator and a writer. He got married in 1890 and eventually made his way to New York by the turn of the century where he became one of the country’s top political cartoonists.

Yet in 1901, despite a burgeoning career in illustrative-work, Cory was yearning for adventure. Growing weary of the east coast lifestyle he did what thousands of others had done before him and decided to head west in search

of gold. The destination was Helena, Montana.

Helena was a convenient choice for J. Campbell Cory, not just because it was a well-known location for prospecting and mining, but also because he had family there. Sadly, his mother died in 1887 due to tuberculosis, and shortly after as a way to start over his father moved the remaining family members to the territorial capital city of Montana.

John Campbell Cory in 1906. (Arena Magazine)

Cory was known as an exuberant type, always on the go and eager for exploration and big ideas. Along with being a famous cartoonist, he was credited with authoring “Take Me Back To Old Montana” which for a while was considered Montana’s state song. Cory was a skilled horseman and loved hunting and fishing and was known as an expert with the rifle.

He gained and lost several small fortunes trying his hand in the mining industry while living in Helena. He had once been in a hot air balloon crash and according to one periodical from 1915, “Mr. Cory has succeeded in breaking his nose six times in as many different ways, with the cumulative result that it is not much of a nose to look at anymore.” Never discouraged and always witty, Cory responded by observing that “there’s enough nose left to break at least once more.”

To go along with his array of talents and interests, J. Campbell Cory loved the game of golf. He was more than just a good player, however, making contributions in various aspects of the game. Cory is credited with helping frame policy at USGA conventions and he helped design a handful of golf courses throughout the United States, including the original Helena Country Club that was located near Fort Harrison.

Always the creative type, in 1912 he came up with what was called a “Golf Goat,” by molding a handful of bizarre clay statues that were used for a while as trophies for golf clubs around the Chicago area. He even invented the “Cory Golf Ball Marker,” which was aimed at solving the “vexatious problem” of knowing whose ball was whose. It was a small contraption that printed a person’s initials on the ball. Nowadays players tend to use sharpies.

Upon his arrival in Helena, Cory quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the course. Within a month of being in town he won a golf tournament in Helena, taking home a Silver Cup as the prize for first place. In typical J. Campbell Cory fashion, he generally donated the first-place trophies in tournaments that he entered, most likely knowing he was destined to take it home with him.

Then in August of 1901, Cory and several other leaders within the Helena Country Club and Butte Country Club made history by organizing Montana’s very first intercity showdown between the best golfers from each of the two towns. The deal was that Butte golfers traveled to Helena for a two-round match play event, and then a few weeks later the Helena golfers returned the favor and headed down to Butte. They called it the State Championship Cup.

Cory and the Helena squad easily won the first leg of the State Championship Cup on their home course, taking both rounds. Cory proved the best of them all after beating Frank Pearce who was known as one of the best golfers in the Northwest at the time. Along with

An advertisement of J. Cambell Cory’s ball marker invention, as shown in a 1908 edition of Golfer’s Magazine

the golf, over $1,000 changed hands during the tournament as a result of some heavy sidebets (that’s over $36,000 in today’s money).

Weeks later the Helena contingent of golfers traveled to Butte to finish the State Championship Cup with a series of three matches. To say the Helena team came in confident is an understatement. One article in Helena’s Independent Record stated before the match that the Helena golfers were “sufficiently superior to the Butte players,” and that “unless their opposing hosts have practiced harder, than they are expect[ing] the championship will be easily held.”

Even the Butte Miner newspaper got discouraged after a first round that saw the Helena golfers cruise to the lead stating that “it looks a little, in trying to beat Helena playing golf, as though Butte were attempting to

defeat the capital city at its own game.” In reference to the city’s mining background, the article went on to lament that “the endeavour of Butte people has always been to pull things out of the hole instead of driving them into it, therefore the game does not come naturally to them.” For historians of the game of golf in Montana this is odd sounding considering how dominant Butte golfers became in the ensuing years.

Ultimately the Butte golfers had a better showing on their home course, but it was the Helena team that took home the victory, with Cory once again being lauded as the overall champion. It was a tough defeat for the Butte Club but as the Butte Miner reiterated they could take solace in the fact that “there is one thing that Helena cannot beat Butte at and that is being good natured whether it wins or loses.”

Regardless of outcome the Helena and Butte Country Clubs made a little bit of history in

J. Campbell Cory in his final years. (Colorado State Historical Archives)

A 1906 illustration of J. Campbell Cory, drawn by an artist from Success Magazine.

1913 Postcard of J. Campbell Cory’s state song, “Take Me Back to Old Montana.” (University of Montana Library Archives and Special Collections)

Montana by not only crowning a state champion in the young state’s first intercity match between golf clubs, but also when they almost managed to organize a state golf association. Also in attendance at the State Championship event were delegates from other cities getting into golf including: Missoula, Great Falls, Livingston, and Bozeman. As came natural, J. Campbell Cory made sure to get himself included on the committee that was established to draw up regulations for a state organization. Despite initial enthusiasm a state association didn’t quite materialize in that moment, however, a seed was planted within the broader Montana golf community.

Cory did in fact play golf with nine-time State Amateur winner E.J. Barker and others integral in the formation of the Montana State Golf Association years later. We might ponder what might have been during those intervening years between 1901 and 1917 when the MSGA was first created. Perhaps Barker would’ve added a few more titles to his resume, or maybe other golfers would’ve had a chance to add their names to the history books too. We’ll never know.

By 1902 J. Campbell Cory was regarded as the “champion of the state” and was so talent-

ed he “could almost be considered a professional.” In the almost five years that he lived in Helena, Cory set records at his local club and won just about every event that he played. He was pretty clearly the best golfer in Montana during those years.

Cory’s foray into the mining business didn’t quite pan out the way he hoped so in 1905 he decided to head back east and revive his career as a cartoonist. His fame went to new heights once he left Montana, operating in a variety of capacities over the next two decades, with work that ranged from political cartoons to writing short stories about the west. His politi-

1912 Cory political cartoon showing President William Howard Taft going for a second term in office

1904 drawing Cory did of himself (among many others) during a state tournament, published via the Anaconda Standard

cal cartoons in fact had become so popular that he was even approached by the government of France, who asked Cory to be their official cartoonist for the duration of the first World War. Cory would decline the offer on account of ill health.

He continued to golf after leaving Montana in 1905, also reviving his status as club champion at the Forest Hill Field Club in New Jersey the first year he went back. Love for the Treasure State and the broader Rocky Mountain region would never leave Cory’s mind though, as he helped found the Montana Society social club immediately upon moving back east, and later in 1907 he served as one

1912 illustration taken from an instructive book Cory published called, “The Cartoonist’s Art.”

of the directors of the newly incorporated Rocky Mountain Club. It’s stated purpose was “to promote good fellowship among its members and to further the interests of the Rocky Mountain states in the East.”

In 1918 John Campbell Cory took a job as a cartoonist for the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, a fitting region to call home while he winded down his career and his life. In November of 1925, Cory died at age 58 after a brief illness. Although Cory is widely remembered as a famous illustrator throughout the United States and beyond, for those of us in the state known as the “Last Best Place,” we can also remember him as Montana’s first best golfer.

OLD WORKS RECOGNIZED BY PNW GOLFER MAGAZINE

BY TOM CADE Pacific Northwest Golfer Editor-in-Chief

In the March 2024 issue of Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine, the par-5 sixth hole at Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda, Montana is recognized as one of the “Great Holes of the Northwest,” one of just four holes selected each year by the Northwest’s largest and longest-running golf publication.

A big-shouldered, long, sweeping dogleg left, this par 5 weaves beautifully between the course’s signature black slag bunkers and waste areas, running hard against the hills that overlook the town. The fairway is generous off the tee but the landing area for the second shot narrows the closer to the green. There is no bailout area left, so look right, and don’t go too deep. The peninsula green is surrounded on three sides by slag waste areas, but there is ample putting surface to land on with the third shot.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the site on which Old Works Golf Club was built was a large-scale copper smelting operation that began in 1884. Capable of processing 3,000 tons of ore daily, it eventually closed and lay idle until 1983 when it became a Superfund cleanup site. In 1989, Anaconda citizens formed a group to promote the construction of a world class golf course on the site. Through cooperation between the community, ARCO, state and federal agencies along with Nicklaus, ground was broken on May 26, 1994,

and the course opened in 1997.

As one of the largest Superfund waste areas in America, the site was also one of the most challenging to design. Nicklaus’ first signature design in Montana incorporated many historic relics of the copper smelter, from the flue and oven remains, to fairways that border and wind their way between black slag. The slag, a by-product of the copper smelting process, is also featured in all the bunkers on the course, providing a stunning contrast to white bunker sand found on other courses.

With a direct-mailed circulation of over 120,000 households, Pacific Northwest Golfer magazine has been the voice of golf in the Northwest for over 25 years. It is the only Northwest golf publication with a verifiable demographic of its readership. Pacific Northwest Golfer is all about golf, and dedicated to golfers, and is the model by which other regional golf publications have used. It is the official magazine of the British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Pacific Northwest golf associations, as well as the Pacific Northwest Section PGA.

Published by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association, a 501c3 charitable international amateur golf association, Pacific Northwest Golfer is a member benefit delivered to member clubs in British Columbia and to those who utilize the USGA GHIN Handicap System through clubs of the PNGA’s member associations in the U.S., either public or private Old

COLLEGE GOLF ROUNDUP

BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator

MSU-Billings Men at the Battle of the Desert

The MSU-Billings Men’s golf team was in Borrego Springs, Calif., February 26-28, for the annual Battle of the Desert. Sixteen teams battled for three-rounds at the well-known Rams Hill Golf Club.

Coming in ranked 117th nationally in Division II, the Yellowjackets competed with some of the nation’s best teams, seven of whom came into the event ranked in the top 50. MSU-B finished in 13th place, one spot higher than at the same tournament last year.

MSU-Billings

In a field of 80 individuals, Lucas Howell was a bright spot for the Yellowjackets as he jumped up the leaderboard by eight spots on the final day with a round-three score of 67. At -3 for the whole tournament, Howell finished tied for 5th.

Paul O’Neil was the remaining member of MSU-B to crack the top half of the field with a +8 finish, putting him in a tie for 33rd place on the individual leaderboard.

11th ranked Florida Southern won the team event at +2, while the individual title went to Cal State Monterey Bay’s Simon Bjorken who finished at -5.

For full results CLICK HERE

** Cal State Monterey Bay’s Simon Bjorken wins on second playoff hole

MSU-Billings senior Lucas Howell’s career-low -5 (67) in the final round of the Battle of the Desert led to a T-5 finish overall.

MSU at the GCU Women’s Invitational

The Bobcats’ second event of the season saw them travel to Phoenix, Ariz., February 27-28, for the GCU Invitational. It was a loaded field of 21 teams, five of them belonging to the Big Sky Conference. Last year at the GCU Invitational Montana State golfers broke school records, and with much of the same roster coming back this year, they were looking to do more of the same.

MSU must like the Grand Canyon University Golf Course, because they were once again rewriting the record books and showing that they are one of the teams to beat in the Big Sky Conference. Their 54-hole score of 854 shattered the old school record by 15 strokes. As a team they finished tied for fourth place, which is an improvement on last year’s ninth, but also importantly the Bobcats ended up the top finishing team from the Big Sky Conference.

Scarlet Weidig likewise somehow improved on last year’s performance which saw her

come in second place after posting two single rounds that cracked top ten scores in school history. This time around the All-Conference golfer had not one, but two different rounds tie the school record for lowest score in program history, which Weidig has done one other time, while teammate Lauren Greeny co-owns the record having recorded 67 twice. Perhaps this is the year a Bobcat shoots 66.

In a field of 119 golfers, Weidig ended up in second place once again after posting -11 over three rounds. Her 54-hole score of 205 is also a new program record, breaking her own record set last September by two strokes.

Also in the top of the field was Eva Heinz who finished in a tie for 18th at -1, and at even par Lauren Green finished tied for 22nd.

New Mexico State University swept the medals, as the Aggies won at -18, and also had the individual winner in Emma Bunch who at -14 beat Weidig by three strokes.

For full results CLICK HERE.

Redshirt Junior Scarlet Weidig led the Montana State Bobcats to a 4th place finish at the GCU Invitational, finishing in 2nd place at -11 overall.

Montana State University

Rocky Mountain College Golf at the Claud Jacobs Invitational

Women’s Team

The Battlin’ Bears women’s golf team got off to a good start to begin the spring portion of the season Feb. 26-27, finishing in a tie for second place at the Claud Jacobs Invitational in Victoria, Tex.

Players had two rounds at The Club at Colony Creek against some top-notch southern colleges. Five of the nine teams competing came into the tournament ranked in the top 50 nationally for NAIA schools, including Rocky Mountain College who came in ranked 29th.

A couple months of winter didn’t seem to faze 1st Team All-American Valentina Zuleta in her first tournament action since the fall, as she ended up in a tie for 6th place at +12 over two rounds. Coming into the Invitational ranked 23rd nationally, Zuleta will be eyeing more accolades by season’s end.

Also finishing in the top-fifteen was sophomore Grace Metcalf who at +15 finished in 12th place, while Isabella Downing, a junior out of Bigfork, finished in 14th place after posting a +17 over two rounds.

Seventh ranked Texas Wesleyan won the team event while Heidi Demel from St. Thomas University took home the individual title.

For full results CLICK HERE

Univesity of Montana

T1 Heidi Demel E +5 +5

T1 Raeleigh Davidson +4 +1 +5

3 Mia Lerma +9 -1 +8

4 Malisone Chanthapanya +4 +6 +10

5 Makena Junkin +6 +5 +11

T6 Valentina Zuleta +7 +5 +12

T6 Natalie Miksovska +10 +2 +12

T6 Emily Madeley +6 +6 +12

T9 Emmily Bickelmann +14 E +14

T9 Salome Arango Marin +10 +4 +14

T9 Lilly Phelps +11 +3 +14

12 Grace Metcalf +9 +6 +15

13 Hedvig Schjetne +9 +7 +16

14 Isabella Downing +13 +4 +17

The Rocky Mountain College Women’s Golf team took home second place team honors at the Claud Jacobs Invitational, hosted by The Club at Colony Creek in Victoria, Tex. The Battlin’ Bears placed three players in the top 15 individually, led by Colombian Valentina Zuleta tied for 6th at +12 overall.

Brandon Stinson

Men’s Team

Coming into the Claud Jacobs Invitational ranked 44th nationally, the Rocky Mountain men’s team had a great early spring test with three rounds against some of the nation’s top NAIA schools. Four of the nine teams in the tournament came in ranked in the top 25 – #7 ranked Texas Wesleyan in particular fielded two teams that finished first and third respectively. The Battlin’ Bears meanwhile didn’t quite fare as well as the women’s team, finishing in seventh place at +50.

Four of the RMC golfers finished in the top half of the field with sophomore Jared Smith leading the way, finishing in 17th place at +9 over three rounds. Jake Johnson finished in 25th place, while William Dexheimer and Daniel Sigurjonsson tied each other for 28th place.

Along with Texas Wesleyan’s team victory, Enzo Dakiche from the host school Houston-Victoria won the individual title at -5.

For full results CLICK HERE

Sophomore Jared Smith of Las Vegas led the Rocky Mountain College Men at the Claud Jacobs Invitational, finishing 17th at +9.

Brandon Stinson

UM and MSU Begin Spring Golf

University of Montana

The University of Montana golf team got their spring portion of the season underway at the Bowling Green Intercollegiate. They escaped the cold and headed down to Litchfield Park, Ariz., Feb. 13-14, for the three-round event at the Wigwam Golf Club. Fans might notice there’s been some changes since the Grizzlies last played competitive golf, as longtime coach Kris Nord retired in December and assistant Jimmy Mee stepped into the head coach role.

It was a convenient venue to get acquainted with for the Griz golfers as it’s the same course they’ll play on for the Big Sky Conference Championships later this year. In a competitive field of fourteen teams, Montana ended up in a tie for 12th place with Butler. Freshman Elle Higgins continued to impress for the Grizzlies as she ended up with a -1 first round score of 70 which gave her sole possession of first place.

It was also the lowest round posted throughout the entire tournament, helped in part by an eagle on the par-5 third hole. She didn’t quite hang onto first, but overall it was a solid performance for the freshman, as Higgins ultimately finished in a tie for tenth place. Sophomore Raina Ports also cracked into the top half of the field of 78, finishing in a tie for 36th place.

Grand Canyon University took the lead early in the first round and kept it throughout the event, winning the overall team title. Zoe Newell of Idaho and Delaney Martin of Abilene Christian University meanwhile tied for the individual title.

For full results CLICK HERE.

Freshman Elle Higgins claimed sole possession of first place after a first round -1 (70) at the Bowling Green Intercollegiate.

Univesity

Montana State University

The Montana State Bobcats got their spring season underway at the Mountain Classic Match Play in Palm Desert, Calif., Feb. 12-24. Playing at the Classic Club, MSU had three rounds of head-to-head golf.

The Bobcats lost just barely to a competitive Northern Arizona squad 3-0-2, which is the third time this year that the Montana golfers fell short against their Big Sky Conference rivals.

Eva Heinz and Maddie Montoya managed to notch wins in the first round, with the freshman Heinz providing excitement for the day, closing out her match with a 114-ft eagle putt, putting her up five with three holes left.

The second round saw the Bobcats falter a little bit, falling 5-0 against Seattle University.

MSU rallied back in the third round, finishing strong with a victory over another Big Sky Conference rival, Portland State. Winning decisively at 4-0-1, once again Heinz provided the highlight of the day for the Bobcats with another eagle to go along with two birdies as she managed to finish her match quickly at seven-up with six holes to play.

Also on the winning end was Scarlet Weidig, Hannah Boraas, and Jordan Briggs.

For full results CLICK HERE

Freshman Eva Heinz won her final match of the Mountain Classic Match Play in dominating fashion, beating Tannica Porter of Portland State 7 & 6, and gicing Montana State an early 1-0 advantage over the Vikings at Classic Club in Palm Desert, Calif..

COLLEGE GOLF SIGNINGS

BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator

University of Montana:

The University of Montana recently signed Bella Johnson out of Billings West to join the golf program for this upcoming 2024 fall season. In her time at Billings West Johnson won back-to-back class AA State titles, along with a runner-up finish this past season.

Johnson had a third-place finish at the Montana State Juniors Championship last summer which qualified her to represent Montana in the Girls Junior America’s Cup. The first signing of the Jimmy Mee era, Johnson will likely have an immediate impact when she joins the team.

Carroll College:

Anaconda’s Tanner Cromwell signed with Carroll College recently and will make his way to the capital city for the next fall season. Cromwell is coming off a junior year that saw his Anaconda Copperheads make some history by winning the town’s first ever state golf title.

He was an integral part of the team as he managed to finish in sixth place as an individual. Now as a senior, Cromwell is on the short list of players to win the state B crown this upcoming season.

USGA MAKES MODIFICATIONS

AHEAD OF 3RD U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN

BY JONATHAN COE USGA Senior Manager - Championship Communications

The USGA recently announced the six qualifying sites and the qualifying method for the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, which will be contested at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kan., on July 8-10. This year’s championship will also feature three new exemption categories and institute a cut for the first time.

Conducted over 18 holes, the following qualifiers will be held at six sites across the United States between April. 15 and May 31. They will be managed by Allied Golf Associations (AGAs). In its first two years, the championship field was determined largely by Handicap Index®.

2024 U.S. Adaptive Open Qualifying Sites (6)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

• Cedar Crest Golf Course, Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

• Bobby Jones Golf Course (Magnolia Route), Atlanta, Ga.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

• Haworth Country Club, Haworth, N.J.

Monday, April 29, 2024

• Goose Creek Golf Club, Jurupa Valley, Calif.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024 (2)

• Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, Sarasota, Fla.

• Broadmoor Country Club, Indianapolis

Online entry applications are now open and available by clicking HERE Entries will close on Wednesday, Apr. 10, at 5 p.m. ET.

In addition, the USGA announced three new exemption* categories, effective this year:

• Overall male champion and overall female champion from the 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO (Chris Willis and Natasha Stasiuk)

• Overall male champion and overall female champion from The 2024 G4D Open (to be contested May 15-17)

• From the current WR4GD Gross Ranking – the top 10 men’s point leaders and ties, and the top five females and ties, as of Apr. 3 (one week before entries close)

*Must meet all other eligibility requirements

The World Ranking for Golfers with

Helena’s Ryan Cutter tees off during 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open at Pinehurst.

USGA

Disability (WR4GD) ranks the top golfers with disability on the basis of their average performance in Counting Events over a rolling cycle of the previous 104 weeks.

The low overall female scorer and low overall male scorer from each qualifying site will earn spots in the championship. Any ties will be resolved by a playoff.

The remaining qualifying spots will be determined by Impairment Category and gender across all six qualifying sites using an adjusted Score Differential. These players will be announced after all qualifying sites have completed play. More information can be found HERE.

A list of those who have already earned a place in the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open field through an exemption can be found here.

This year’s championship will administer a cut for the first time, with the cut being made by low score (top 20 for men, top 10 for women), plus low two and ties from each impairment category after two rounds.

The Adaptive Open is open to male and female professional and amateur golfers, with a Handicap Index of 36.4 or less, and an eligible impairment confirmed by a WR4GD Pass. The championship is contested over 54 holes of stroke play. Multiple sets of tees are utilized.

Helena’s Ryan and Megan Cutter emualate the late Payne Stewart’s famous pose next to his statue at Pinehurst. (Ryan Cutter)

Congratulations to MSGA Board Member Ron Ramsbacher, who made a hole-in-one during a recent round at Eagle’s Nest Golf Club at PebbleCreek Resort in Goodyear, Ariz. Ron used an 8-iron from 144 yards out to record his ace!