406golf Newsletter - May 1, 2024

ON THE FIRST TEE...

With Nick Dietzen

Thanks to support from the United States Golf Association (USGA), members from most areas of the golf community in Montana attended the second consecutive Montana Golf Community Meeting in Helena on April 18th.

In addition to the MSGA Staff and Board of Directors, representatives from the USGA, Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA), Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Montana High

School Association (MHSA), Professional Golfers Association (PGA) rounded out the alphabet soup of golf partners. Additionally, high school and collegiate coaches as well as rules officials and MSGA Volunteers were all in attendance to learn from presenters, engage in discussion and formulate plans for the upcoming season and beyond.

One half day together is not enough to cover the vast array of topics, trends, and educational opportunities that these diverse

Regional Affairs Director Mike Sweeney (back right) provides an update from the USGA to attendees at Green Meadow Country Club.

and talented groups brought to Helena, but it was a continuation from last year’s meeting in Butte – the first statewide assembly in nearly a decade. If once is random, twice is a coincidence we’re looking to make this gathering a trend next year and improve our communication between entities in the time between.

The MSGA is embarking on a 3–5-year journey as we have put forth the effort to build a strategic plan to guide our collective mission to promote golf to serve and connect the Montana golf community. In the coming months we will be introducing and publicizing our strategic plan, but our mission is clear and we’re off to a good start thanks to bringing together so many partners and forging relationships to achieve smaller goals, together.

One thing is clear from the group conversations – there needs to be investment, collaboration and understanding from all those who contribute and participate in golf. We have a vibrant membership that is growing and playing often. Golf course usage requires significant resources and opportunities for events creates competition that can overwhelm a facility if we do not strategize and plan.

This year, the MSGA will conduct seven multi-day championships and 18 one-day events. When you factor in practice rounds, we will have nearly 50 days of golf course usage. This is nearly 1/3 of the active season calendar – currently the bulk of our events take place from May-August. When you factor in junior events, high school, collegiate,

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..................... Josh Austin

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

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

USGA Boatwright Intern................ Cora Rosanova

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

fundraising tournaments, and local events it’s easy to see how course compression happens quickly.

Thanks to many of our member clubs who have opened their facilities for events, we are excited to offer a geographically and facility diverse slate of events for 2024. We endeavor to help provide a hub for our members and our clubs to continue to stay active and have opportunities across the state. This will require future planning, generosity from host facilities and communication with all the stakeholders from our partners to continue to provide access and opportunity for all those who play and enjoy our game.

Golf course access is just one of many topics that we discussed as a community this past month. I am confident that the

engagement and investment from personnel to resources in the coming years will provide a successful pathway in building on the momentum of past seasons and the enthusiasm for golf in Montana. The next time you pull up to a golf course in Montana think of all those who act as caretakers for the game we enjoy – from those working on the grounds, on the practice tee, in the golf shop and beyond – it takes a community to serve the game and the golfers who play it. Thank you to everyone who plays a role and for those who take the time to thank someone who contributes to our wonderful golf community.

Investment, collaboration and understanding from all in the golf community were discussed as keys to growing the game in Montana.

MSGA

Boatwright Internships

In partnership with the

Please

help us welcome the 2024 Intern Class!

Jess Miller, USGA Boatwright Intern

1.

Who introduced you to golf?

My grandfather was the one who introduced me to the game at a young age I stubbornly chose to focus on more team-oriented sports such as baseball, but as I got older, I came to appreciate the game and what it is all about

2. Who influenced you most in your golf life?

I still have to answer with my grandfather, he was always the biggest proponent for my athletic career No matter what sport I played he was always there to watch and cheer me on During my early golf career, he was kind enough to take me out to the range multiple times a week and took great pleasure in beating me by multiple strokes My competitive nature is influenced heavily by him

Jess Miller

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

I am interested in the Junior Golfers’ program as well as the media program, primarily because I am interested in the data side of golf and using this to promote the game to new levels of outreach Encouraging new demographics to check out the game by reaching out to community members is something I feel comfortable with

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

My favorite course, and the only course I have ever played, is Yellowstone Country Club. That is my grandfather’s home course, and I have been fortunate to play it a handful of times. I am still an amateur in the sense of the game, but I had a great time playing this course.

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

A dream golf course I want to play is any Bandon Dunes course. I think my current self would be eaten up by the course, yet it still would be a great experience

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

My first choice would be Charles Barkley, mainly because I would feel comfortable knowing my swing was not the worst in the group, but also because he can provide some laughs I am also a big NBA/sports fan My second choice would be Joel Dahmen, because having a pro in the group could be helpful, but I wouldn’t want someone overbearing to put on more pressure. Joel would be a great person to relate to and chat it up. Third choice would be Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler is hilarious and who would not want to play a round with Happy?

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

My most memorable moment in golf was in one of the first full rounds I had ever played I thinned an iron shot long of the green and was hitting four on the chip I was stuck underneath trees and in pine straw and decided to blindly hit a shot I ended up chipping in for par that hole, and it still is the best shot I have ever made around a green, and my only chip-in!

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

I would change the public opinion about the sport, I feel that most people see it as a “gatekept” culture that is not accessible to everyone I believe that the joys of the sport can be experienced by anyone, and by changing people’s views to a positive, open outlook could help with that outreach

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

My love of golf and my familiarity of Montana led me to pursuing the opportunity with the MSGA. I hope to absorb as much as I possibly can about the game of golf, administration, and programming large events like tournaments. I am eager to pursue something that I am incredibly passionate about and am confident in my ability to learn as much as I can.

Bonus: Lay up or go for it? ALWAYS go for it.

My dad and my sister.

2. Who influenced you most in your golf life?

My sister, she was the reason I started and continued to play golf Everyday during the summertime, we would be out on the golf course, playing and practicing together, doing drills, playing games, or playing a round. I was able to play with her in both high school and college, and travel around and play as many golf courses as we can along with our family.

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

I am looking forward to working with the social media aspect, showing viewers the great experiences they can have by participating in MSGA events I also enjoy being able to take photos during the tournaments and going to the tournaments, being out there is a treat for me, and seeing all of the golfers and friends, and the different courses we travel to

Cora Rosanova

4 What is your favorite course in Montana and why?

Whitefish Lake Golf Course North and South The 4th of July tournament that is hosted is one of my favorite tournaments to play, they are both great courses with different challenges and pretty sceneries Or Polson Bay Golf Course I love this course because of the memories I have from the junior golf tournaments here, before and when I played It is one of my favorite courses, it’s beautiful and rewarding

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

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

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

Getting my first hole in one with friends and family or our weekly golf rounds with my family and friends playing all together in a large group

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

The yardages girls golfers play in high school, I think they should be longer because of the yardages that college girls play It was an adjustment for me and had to play two different yardages, one for high school and one much longer for college During high school, we had to play two different yardages to have a chance to play at a higher level in college

9. What brought you to the MSGA? What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the board/staff. I have been playing MSGA tournaments since I was a kid and have enjoyed them I was able to become an intern last summer and had the best time Because I don’t play golf as much anymore, the MSGA gives me the opportunity to see all the players, travel to different courses, and see the opportunities that it provides to juniors playing As an intern, I hope to see more junior golf and competition Montana has

Bonus: Lay up or go for it? Go for it. Without a doubt.

Josh Austin, USGA Boatwright Intern

1

Who introduced you to golf?

My dad was the one that introduced me to golf My first memory of playing golf was going out on the par 3 course with my dad and my brother when I was about 8 or 9 years old

Augusta National or St Andrews

Tony Finau, Justin Thomas, Jack Nicklaus

2 Who influenced you most in your golf life?

My two high school golf coaches, Tom Kerr and Bob Veroulis, influenced my golf life the most They taught me a lot about the game during my high school years on the golf team I have a strong passion for golf, and a good portion of that can be attributed to them

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

I am passionate about the MSGA juniors program. I think it’s awesome seeing kids growing in the game of golf.

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

There are still many golf courses in Montana that I have yet to play, but of the ones that I have played, Bill Roberts Golf Course in Helena is my favorite I grew up playing Bill Roberts and have made a lot of great memories on the course It’s a very fun course to play and has great views of Helena, especially on the back nine

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

My dream golf course that I’d like to play is Pebble Beach It’s a beautiful course right on the ocean, and I love the ocean, so the whole experience would be amazing Of course, Augusta National would be a great option as well

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

I would choose Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, and Seve Ballesteros to golf with me in my dream celebrity foursome I’d choose Jordan because he is the G O A T of basketball, Manning because I’m a Broncos fan and he also seems like a great guy, and Ballesteros because he is one of the best golfers to ever do it and I could learn a lot from him

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

I really enjoyed the early mornings at Green Meadow Country Club when I worked a summer there as a greenskeeper It was awesome being out on the course as the sun was coming up, with great views of the course and a lot of deer running around

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

If I could change one thing, It would be to get rid of golf carts. Although they are good for some things, like pace of play, I think there’s something special about walking a golf course. I enjoy the exercise of walking the course, and I think it makes for a more memorable experience

9. What brought you to the MSGA? What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the board/staff. My passion for the game of golf and my interest in golf administration brought me to the MSGA During my time at the MSGA, I hope to grow the game of golf in Montana and to leave a positive impact on players and other staff members while I am here

Bonus: Lay up or go for it?

Go for it There’s no shame in sending it It may be risky, but it’s better than laying up and then thinking of what could’ve been if you just went for it

MATCH PLAY EXPLAINED

BY TIM BAKKER MSGA Tournament Director

Match Play is the original form of golf competition. Match Play is a form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds.

Holes are won by the side that scores fewer strokes, a player or side wins the match, when the player or side wins more holes than there are remaining to play. This is why you will see scores like Joan wins 3 & 2. Joan is up three holes with two holes left. Joan’s opponent cannot win even if they won the last two holes.

Players govern themselves in Match Play (within the rules of golf), because their opponent is present with them on the course. If a rule is improperly followed, but the opponent does not call a penalty that is ok.

For example, if I tee off from in front of the tee markers, my opponent does not have to make me replay the shot. The rules are always there to guide us, penalties are often different from stroke play to match play. The General Penalty of two shots during stroke play, often becomes Loss of Hole during match play.

Many championships crown their champions using match play. The U.S. Amateur Championships,

U.S. Four Ball Championships both use multiple qualifying rounds to seed players, or sides, into brackets. These events allow for more players to compete in the field to begin. A cut then creates a bracket of 16, 32 or 64 players. Players often must play 36 holes over multiple days to be crowned a champion.

The Montana State Golf Association Match Play Championships are June 7-9 at Bill Roberts Golf Course. Like other championships, the MSGA Match Play Championships have a qualifying round for our three championship brackets: Amateur Division, Senior Amateur, & Women’s Amateur. Our Amateur Division will be the lowest 32 players, Seniors & Women’s bracket will be the lowest 16 players after the stroke play round.

Registration is now open, currently registered are some of our past champions, 2023 Match Play Champion Kade McDonough, Senior Match Play Champion Carl Funk, and 2023 Women’s Amateur Champion Lauren Greeny. Limited spots remain, GET REGISTERED today.

Match Play is a great opportunity to compete and offers a different format than your traditional stroke play rounds. Recently, I had the opportunity to play in the Western Montana Chapter PGA Match Play Championship. Forty three players competed in an 18-hole qualifier to make the field of 32.

USGA

Arizona State Athletics

RYGGS JOHNSTON LEADS ASU AT PAC-12 MEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator

Libby, Montana-native Ryggs Johnston capped off an impressive collegiate career at Arizona State University with a silver medalist finish at the final Pac-12 Men’s Golf Championships, before moving to the Big 12 next year.

Playing four rounds at the Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz., Johnston overcame a sluggish first 18 holes at +7 with three straight rounds in the 60’s, which not only catapulted the Montana native up the leaderboard but was key in helping the ASU win its first Pac-10/12 golf championship since 2008.

Johnston, who also owns a Montana State Amateur title from back in 2018, finishes off an impressive collegiate career that saw him voted onto multiple All-Conference and All-American teams.

Perhaps just as impressive is Johnston’s work as a student as he carried a 4.0 GPA through college, was named a GCAA All-American Scholar multiple times and last year was even awarded the Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award.

A big congratulations to Ryggs on another fantastic achievement, as well as a phenomenal collegiate career at Arizona State. Thank you for continuing to represent Montana so well!

Libby, Montana-native Ryggs Johnston (center, holding trophy) led the Arizona State University Sun Devils to their first Pac 10/12 golf championship since 2008, with a silver medalist finish individually at Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz.

SPOTLIGHT on the GHIN APP: Apple Watch Integration

BY EMILY HULSEY MSGA Director of Membership

In the last couple editions, we’ve reviewed features of the GHIN app, like GPS and Games/Score Keeping. Now, let’s see how it’s integrated for Apple Watch users out there.

The first step is to install the GHIN app on your Apple Watch. Then, make sure your iPhone is paired with your watch. On your iPhone, open the GHIN app. Tap “Play with GPS/ Games” or click on the “GPS” button when posting a Hole-by-Hole or Holeby-Hole with Stats score. You will be prompted to continue the game using your watch, if it is detected.

All users have access to standard features, like entering hole-by-hole scores and tracking stats. For each hole, tap “+” or “-“ to record your score, then tap “next.” You can enter stats for the hole by rotating the crown on the side of the watch or by using your finger to scroll through the list.

GPS distances are available for Enhanced GPS users of the GHIN app. This includes

distances to front/center/back of the green and distances to key points on a hole (bunkers, penalty areas, layups, etc). Rotate the crown or scroll up/down to change holes. Or, swipe right/left to navigate in between screens.

Once your hole scores are entered for the round, you will be prompted to return to your phone to review and post the score.

For a video tutorial about the Apple Watch app, CLICK HERE. You can also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions by going to ghin.com, then clicking “FAQ” from the menu.

The GHIN app has useful features that add convenience and fun to your 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!

In our next edition, we’ll finish up our “Spotlight on the GHIN app” series by touching on push notifications and frequently asked questions.

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USGA

#406FOODIES: LARCHMONT GOLF COURSE

BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator

For those of us at Montana State Golf Association who travel around working tournaments throughout Montana during the playing season, one thing (among many) that we look forward to is the opportunity to try the food at different clubhouses. It becomes apparent fairly quickly that not only does this state have stunningly beautiful courses, but also some really tasty food.

As we move through the golf season we’ll

continue letting the readers know some of the delicious cuisine that we’ve been eating at a variety of courses.

Recently we were at the Larchmont Golf Course in Missoula for a Senior Tour Event held April 23. For lunch, Operations Manager Mike Williams and I both had the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which included onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. We both added swiss cheese and it was delicious. Two thumbs up!

For a view of the Larchmont Golf Course's Caddy Shack lunch menu CLICK HERE.

Preparing a golf course for a televised event requires infrastructure, equipment and staffing far beyond what most courses have available.

A MASTER CLASS IN COURSE CONDITIONING

BY PAUL JACOBS USGA REGIONAL AGROMOMIST - CENTRAL

As we get into major championship golf season, many golfers can develop grand ideas about what their home course should do to provide conditions like they see on TV. That means there is no better time than now to remind everyone about some key differences between the extremely well-conditioned golf

courses we see during televised events and the courses that most golfers play on a regular basis.

Timing

Every part of the country has a time of year when course conditions will inherently improve – largely due to grass type and weather. This timing is different for all courses, and just like there are times when conditions usually improve, there are also times

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when conditions might not be as good. As you can imagine, most televised golf events are scheduled to be played when courses are in peak condition. The maintenance team also works for months – or longer – to help the course peak at that exact moment in time.

Infrastructure

The irrigation and drainage setup, maintenance facility, and even the age of putting greens, tees and fairways all have a tremendous impact on turf performance and course conditioning. These items don’t often get highlighted during a golf broadcast, but their impact cannot be overstated. If your course has an irrigation system that is 30 years old and isn’t being replaced any time soon, don’t expect the same conditions as courses that continuously reinvest in infrastructure.

Equipment

High-level conditioning requires quality equipment, and plenty of it. For example, during most professional golf events, all fine turf surfaces are mowed before the first group tees off. Mowing is completed every day, and sometimes twice a day. This is possible because the host facilities have plenty of equipment and they often receive additional equipment during the event. If your local course has only one or two fairway mowers, don’t expect the same quality and frequency of mowing.

Staffing Levels

There is no shortcut to providing great con-

ditions. Details matter, and details take time and skilled staff to get done. During televised golf events, and especially major championships, courses are usually staffed with more volunteers and employees than you could imagine. Tasks like filling or plugging divots, cleaning all debris off the course, hand-raking every bunker, and precision hand watering throughout the course usually only happen when there is an abundance of workers ready to be deployed.

The agronomic plan is an important part of providing great conditions, but if one of the above factors is lacking then there will be a limit on what’s possible. When we see courses with truly exceptional conditioning, it should serve as a reminder that behind what meets the eye, there is an investment in infrastructure, equipment and staff to make it all come together.

Golf course superintendents and maintenance team members across the country work hard to provide the very best conditions with what they have. Instead of comparing what you see on TV with what you experience at the courses you play, find a way to appreciate your course for what it is and enjoy the thrill that comes with watching the pros play a beautifully manicured course. If conditions are less than perfect during your round, it’s probably not because the maintenance team didn’t work hard or have a great plan. They can only accomplish what the variables allow.

* * *

USGA

Click Here for more from the USGA Green Section Record ‒including the latest articles and videos on sustainable management practices that produce

COLLEGE GOLF ROUNDUP

BY TY SPARING

MSGA Communications Coordinator

MSU-Billings Men and Women at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Golf Championships

The men’s and women’s golf teams of MSU-Billings had their final event of the season April 22-24 at the beautiful Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships were three rounds for the men, and two rounds for the women.

It was an historic performance for the men’s team as they had their best overall showing since MSU-B entered the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2007. As a team they

finished in third place with a 4-under 848 over the three rounds, which is not only the best score MSU-B has ever achieved at the GNAC Championship, but also the third best in program history. It certainly helped having three golfers place in the top ten.

Leading the way for the Yellowjackets was senior Paul O’Neil who finished in fifth place with a 4-under 209. The Laurel native O’Neil now has the lowest 54-hole score at the GNAC Championship, and the second best three round score in program history.

Following O’Neil was Kevin Kolb who finished tied for sixth place at -3. Kolb’s threeround score of 210 also entered the MSU-B record books as the sixth best of all-time. Rounding out the top ten finishers was Liam

Hayden Foltz

Paul O'Neil led MSU-Billings with a 5th place finish at -4 overall.

O’Halloran who also posted a personal best score of 212, helped by a scorching third round that saw him shoot a 67. O’Halloran finished in tenth place.

Western Washington won the team event by eight strokes at -14, while on the individual side it was Simon Fraser’s Michael Crisologo who won the title, finishing at -13 after three straight rounds with scores of 68 or below.

For full men’s results, CLICK HERE

The women had a little tougher go of things finishing in fifth place as a team with a final two-round score of 680. With a rash of injuries this spring it’s been trickier getting into a rhythm than the Yellowjackets would’ve preferred.

Tatum York-Bement, a junior from Kennewick, Washington was the top MSU-B golfer, ending up in a tie for 17th place at +25 over the two rounds. Hannah Adams in 22nd place

GNAC Championships ‒ Women

Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

April 22-24, 2024

1.   Dana Smith

2.   Emma Worgum

3.   Sueah Park

4 .  Meera Minhas

5.   Madison Gridley

T6.   Anaya Bhandal

T6.   Kasey Maralack

T6.   Kassie Muanyam

9.   Lauren Lee

T17. Tatum York-Bement

had the lowest single round score for MSU-B with a first round of 82.

Simon Fraser swept the events in the women’s categories, winning as a team at +20, and on the individual side it was Dana Smith who took home the title at -2.

For full women’s results, CLICK HERE

Hayden Foltz

Tatum York-Bement led MSU-Billings at T-17 (+25 overall).

Men’s and Women’s Red River Athletic/ Frontier Conference Championships

The Frontier Conference men’s and women’s golf teams recently competed in a combined Conference Championship event down in Victoria, Texas. It was the first year that the Frontier Conference and the Red River Athletic Conference joined forces for a final tournament, which is done in an effort to ensure winners received an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships. Held April 29 – May 1 at the Victoria Country Club, both men and women had three rounds of play to determine the 2024 title winners.

WOMEN

Coming into the tournament having won five of the last six Frontier Conference Championships, it was safe to say the Rocky Mountain women’s golf team came in the heavy favorites. Led by All-American Valentina Zuleta, the Battlin’ Bears had a thirteen-stroke lead in the team event after the first round, and didn’t look back, with all five players on the roster ending up in the top half of the field. Claiming first place for the third year in a row, RMC

2024 Red River Athletic Conference / Frontier Conference Championships

Victoria CC – Women's Tournament Course

Victoria, Tex.

April 29 – May 1, 2024

4.   Emmily Bickelmann

5.   Maddie Miller

6.   Caitlyn Niemietz

finished the three rounds at +81 which was 31 strokes ahead of second place finishers Houston-Victoria.

Other Frontier Conference team finishes included Montana Tech in fourth place at +159, Carroll College in fifth place at +209, and Providence College in sixth place at +402

On the individual side Valentina Zuleta shot even par and three-peated as champion of the Frontier Conference. She got off to a six-stroke lead in the first round and never took her foot off the gas as she ultimately finished 11 strokes ahead of second place. Zuleta, who is a junior from Bogotá, Colombia, had 11 birdies throughout the three rounds, which was more than most teams in the tournament.

Following Zuleta for Rocky Mountain was Grace Metcalf who had an impressive showing herself with three birdies in the final round which helped give her a nine-stroke lead over the third-place finisher. For the sophomore Metcalf, it was the second-year finishing in the top three overall, having taken third place at the conference tournament last year.

Along with Zuleta and Metcalf, RMC saw

UHV Athletics

RMC star Valentina Zuleta won individual medalist honors at +2.

2024 Red River Athletic Conference / Frontier Conference Championships

Victoria Country Club

Victoria, Tex. April 29 – May 1, 2024

Pos. Team

1.   Nathan Biais

2.   Oliver Gaisford

3.

4.   Enzo Dakiche

T5.   Paul Chopin

T5.   Hayden Hardwick

T5.   Jacob Pena

T8.   Jacob Johnson

T8.   Victor Pena-Cortes

T8.   Joshua Van Der Wath

T11.   Tyler Avery

Isabella Downing and Kadence Fischer tied for 11th place at +33, while Tyla Potgieter ended up in 15th place overall at +38 over the three rounds.

Samantha Benson out of Montana Tech was the only non-RMC Frontier Conference player to join the ranks of the top ten, finishing in a tie for 8th place at +31. Another solid final tournament performance for Benson who finished in sixth place last year. Her teammates Emma Woods and Kodie Hoagland also finished in the top half of the field, with Woods in 13th at +35 and Hoagland in 14th place at +37.

For full women’s results, CLICK HERE. MEN

The Rocky Mountain men’s golf team was tops in the Frontier Conference for the seventh year in a row, however this year they had five other teams from the Red River Athletic Conference to compete with in the final championship event, and ultimately came in fourth place at +37 as a team.

Sophomore Jared Smith led the Battlin’ Bears with a third-place finish at even par for

RMC's Jared Smith finished third individually at even par overall.

the three rounds. Consistency was key for Smith whose three rounds of 72-73-71 never saw him more than 2-over par and never more than 1-under. Smith’s teammate Jake Johnson was the only other Frontier Conference golfer in the top ten, having tied for eighth place at +6. William Dexheimer also had a strong performance for RMC, finishing in a tie for 13th place at +13.

A trio of Montana Tech Orediggers and a Providence Argonaut also finished in the top half of the field. Freshman Tyler Avery capped off a strong first collegiate season in a tie for 11th place at +7, teammate Joe McGreevey finished in 15th place at +12, and Joe Opitz ended up in 21st place at +17. Colby Friedrich out of Providence finished in a tie for 22nd at +19.

Winning the team event was Houston-Victoria who cruised to an early lead and kept it growing, finishing at -6 which was 31 strokes ahead of second place Our Lady of the Lake. Nathan Biais made it a sweep for Houston-Victoria, as he won the individual title at -10.

For full men’s results, CLICK HERE.

UHV Athletics

Big Sky Conference Championships

Wigwam Golf Club

Litchfield Park, Ariz. April 15-17, 2024

3.   Emily Song

T4.   Isabel Gutierrez

University of Montana and Montana State University at the Big Sky Conference Championships

After a season of ups and downs and many broken records, the University of Montana and Montana State University golf teams competed in the final event of the year – the Big Sky Conference Championships. Held April 15-17, a field of ten teams had three rounds at the Wigwam Golf Course in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

As a team MSU ended up the higher of the two Montana schools, ending up in fourth place with a final three round score of +21. The Bobcats third round single score of 286 was the third best team round in program history, just another addition to the record books that they’ve been rewriting the last couple of years.

For the second year in a row, Scarlet Weidig found herself in the top ten, finishing in a tie

for sixth place at +1 over the three rounds. Weidig, last year’s Montana State Match Play champion was named to the All-Tournament team to go along with 2nd Team All-Conference honors that were awarded prior to the final round. It caps an impressive season for the junior from Costa Rica as she has continued to establish herself as one of the best golfers in the Big Sky Conference.

Sophomore Lauren Greeny finished three strokes behind Weidig, putting her in a tie for 13th place. Greeny who won the Montana State Women’s Amateur Championship last summer joined Weidig on the All-Conference front, having been named to the Honorable Mention team.

With leaders Weidig and Greeny continuing to improve, along with a talented core in Eva Heinz, Maddie Montoya and Hannah Boraas, the Bobcats have a bright future ahead with all

Noah Syverson

All-Tournament selection Scarlet Weidig finished T-6 at +1 overall.

University of Montana

Freshman Elle Higgins finished T-16 at +6 overall over three rounds. five starters returning next year.

On the University of Montana side of things they didn’t quite place in the top half of the field as a team like they set out to, but had some great final individual performances of the season. As a team they finished in 7th place at 889.

Leading the way for the Griz was freshman Elle Higgins who finished in a tie for 16th place at +6 over the three rounds. Higgins, who hails from Centennial, Colo., got off to a blistering start, notching five birdies on her way to a first-round score of 68, which had her in possession of first place going into the second round. It was a good time to tie a program record for lowest single round score, and perhaps provides a glimpse of what next season will have in store.

Following Higgins was Tricia Joyce who finished up her career at UM with her best

Big Sky Conference Championships Wigwam Golf Club Litchfield Park, Ariz. April 15-17, 2024

three-round collegiate score ever posted. Her 221 tied her for 19th place, which is the second year in a row the Butte native finished in the top 20 at the Big Sky Conference Championships.

Joining Higgins and Joyce in the top half of the field was Raina Ports who finished in 21st place at +9. The sophomore Ports finished off an impressive season that saw her set a program record for the lowest scoring average at 75.42 and was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Sacramento State added yet another team title to the trophy case, having won four of the last five Big Sky Conference Championships. On the individual side it was Northern Arizona’s Lizzie Neale that took home the win, finishing the three rounds at -10.

For full results, CLICK HERE.