ON THE FIRST TEE...
With Nick Dietzen
September started with warm weather for the back-to-school crowd, Labor Day vacations were treated to a nice, last three-day weekend for those fortunate enough to celebrate.
The following week as I stepped out of the office to a nearly black sky at 5 p.m. strong winds blew the door open to the parking lot with the hinges tested and before long on the car-ride home it was torrential rains and eventually hail. My initial thought, “so much for summer, here comes fall.” Summer officially ends September 22nd and by then the Four Ball will have concluded and the MSGA Championship Schedule will be finished for 2024.
The upside is, as I have come to appreciate in Montana – fall might just be the best season for golf. There is a palpable slow down to play as aeration takes place, the nights get shorter,
the temperatures cooler, but from an enjoyment factor many of these factors can lead to unforgettable rounds on quieter days and nights on the golf course.
I am guilty of looking to play “catch-up” on golf as the fear of the season ending sets in and I realize just how many friends and family members I haven’t been able to get a round in with. Thankfully, I was fortunate to get out on the course with some teammates including our bookkeeper, Connie, who has been learning the game and enjoying it more. We played a scramble format and the cocktail of getting to hit shots from unfamiliar yardages, forgetting the bad shots and celebrating the good ones hit the spot. It also reminded me of a couple important things I like to encourage newer golfers and friends alike to focus on:
Montana Golf in the Fall just hits a little different, doesn't it? (Photo by Craig Moore/GlacierWorld.com)
1. Why are we doing this if not for fun?
Golf is a very challenging game. Numerous variables make consistency feel just out of reach. Not only are golf skills necessary, but life skills are just as important: patience, managing emotions, focus and attention to detail. With all of this in mind, most of us aren’t going to play enough, nor practice enough to attain the proficiency that we seem to expect to summon on a given afternoon. There are so many activities and opportunities to spend our most precious resource, time. If you’re not having fun on the golf course – it’s important to think on why that is. If it’s purely due to the outcomes, then you might just be a glutton for punishment.
2. Play from the correct tees.
Every course has multiple sets of tees. All too often, players will tee it up from as far back as possible, regardless of their skill level. Hitting a green in regulation, making the occasional birdie or par can be the joy of the round. Why not make that happen more often? Mix it up and play from a more forward set of tees. Chances are you might enjoy your round more and odds are that you are not playing the best set of tees for your ability level. Golf can always be made more fun; I still am waiting to hear someone say that they didn’t have any fun because it was too easy, or I birdied every hole and got bored.
Every round is different no matter how
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
Graphic Design & Content Coordinator......... Katie Fagg
USGA Boatwright Intern............................... Josh Austin
USGA Boatwright Intern................................. Jess Miller
USGA Boatwright Intern.......................... Cora Rosanova
PARTNERSHIPS
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1 (800) 628-3752 www.msgagolf.org
many times we play the same course. Mixing it up and finding new ways to have fun will only increase your desire to get back out there. As we wind down the 2024 season, hopefully you will have a few more chances to play before green grass is a distant memory. My hope for us all is not only a few more glorious rounds of fall golf, but also – bring a friend out who hasn’t played enough this year – they will be
glad they did, and you’ll probably have a more relaxing time together with less traffic this time of year.
After all, why are we doing this if not for fun?
A gorgeous view from behind the tee during a Fall round at Whitefish Lake Golf Club. (Photo by Craig Moore/GlacierWorld.com)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOW TO DOWNLOAD PHOTOS FROM MSGA EVENTS
BY JESS MILLER USGA PJ BOATWRIGHT JR. INTERN
Step 1: Look in the upper right hand corner of the Montana State Golf Association Homepage The far right icon goes to Flickr, the platform used to store all of the MSGA's photos from various events throughout the year. Click on the Flickr icon.
Step 2: Look in navigation bar underneath the blue MSGA header for the "Albums" tab and click. You will be redirected to a page with thumbnails from different events.
Step 3: Click on the album of the event from which you want to download photos. Album names are in white text on the bottom of the image.
Step 4: Click on the photo you want to download. You will be directed to one final screen to complete the photo download process.
Step 5: In the bottom right hand corner, the second icon from the right is the download icon. Click it, choose size of the photo you want and then check your "Downloads" folder in the file explorer for the photo you have downloaded!
MONTY KUKA SHOOTS 10BELOW HIS AGE AT MEADOW LARK CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
BY GEORGE GEISE FORMER MSGA BOARD MEMBER
GREAT FALLS – It’s the goal of most senior golfers when they start a round to shoot their age.
For most of us, that’s more like a dream – maybe even a pipe dream. But for Monty Kuka, it’s a dream that comes true more often than not.
Kuka, a 79-year-old retired psychologist, plays to a 3 handicap (from the senior tees) and regularly shoots in the 70s, sometimes in the low 70s.
But last month in the first round of the Club Championship Tournament at Meadow Lark Country Club, Kuka fired his lowest round in seven or eight years – a 3-under-par 69 that included five birdies and only two bogeys.
Amazingly, he bogeyed the two shortest holes on the course, the 125-yard fourth hole and the 160-yard 12th hole.
Perhaps just as amazingly, Monty didn’t birdie any of the four par-5 holes at MLCC, despite the fact he still has enough distance to reach most of them in two shots.
Kuka went on to shoot 76 in the second round to win the Senior Men’s title for the fifth or sixth time.
Monty has been an excellent golfer most of his life, of course. He was a top junior
player in Havre in the early 1960s and played on the golf team at Notre Dame during his undergraduate years in Indiana. He has won dozens of tournaments in Montana over the years, most of them on the Hi-Line and north-central courses.
Kuka also has been shooting his age for at least the last 10 years, but he’s never come close to shooting TEN UNDER his age. We’re curious whether any other Montana senior player has ever accomplished that feat.
Monty Kuka
BY TY SPARING
MSGA Communications Coordinator
Battle for Billings: The Mike Grob and Leslie Spalding Cup
City bragging rights were on the line September 9-10, as the Rocky Mountain College and MSU-Billings golf teams faced off in the annual Grob/Spalding Cup. Men’s and women’s teams from both Billings schools took part in a hometown tournament like few others. It was a three-day match play event that consisted of four-ball, alternate shot and singles matches. Not only that but it was held at three different venues, the Lake Hills Golf Club, the Laurel Golf Club, and the Hilands Golf Club.
The first round Four-Ball event saw both
Battlin’ Bears squads come out with an early 3-2 lead on the women’s side, and a 3-1 lead for the men’s. In the second alternate shot round the RMC women took the overall lead to 6-4, while the RMC men finished 3.5-5.
The third round saw a bit of dramatics as the MSU-B women came back from two down to win their second straight Spalding Cup at 11-9. The Rocky Mountain men meanwhile won their sixth of the last eight Grob Cups with a 12.5-3.5 victory.
The Spalding Cup’s namesake is Leslie Spalding, MSGA Hall of Famer, LPGA Tour Standout, and recently retired collegiate golf coach. The Grob Cup is named after Mike Grob, MSGA Hall of Famer and former PGA Tour veteran.
The Rocky Mountain College men's golf team won its sixth of the last eight Grob Cups, beating MSU-Billings 12.5-3.5.
Brandon Stinson
FALL 2024 COLLEGE GOLF SCHEDULE
Montana State University (Women)
Sept. 16 - 17 Kelsey Chugg Invitational
Sept. 22 - 23 Eagle Invitational
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 Diane Thomason Invite
Oct. 14 - 15 Portland State Invitational
University of Montana (Women)
Sept. 16 - 17 Kelsey Chugg Invitational
Sept. 22 - 23 Eagle Invitational
Oct. 6 - 7 Tri-State Invitational
Oct. 14 - 15 Portland State Invitational
Oct. 28 - 29 French Broad Coll. Inv.
Rocky Mountain College (Women)
Sept. 8 - 10 Spalding Cup
Sept. 22 - 24 Argo Sizzler
Sept.30 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Inv.
Oct. 14 - 15 Battle at the Dance
Nov. 4 - 5 Firestorm Invitational
Montana Tech (Women)
Aug. 31 - Sept.2 Labor Day Classic
Sept. 22 - 24 Univ. of Providence Inv.
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Invitational
Montana State University - Billings (Women)
Sept. 8 - 10 Spalding Cup
Sept. 16 - 17 Hardrocker Invitational
Sept. 23 - 24 Black Hills State Classic
Oct. 7 - 8 Briarwood Shootout
Oct. 14 - 15 Yellowjacket Fall Inv.
Oct. 21 - 22 Midwestern State Inv.
Carroll College (Women)
Sept. 23 - 24 Northern Invitational
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Invitational
University of Providence (Women)
Sept. 22 - 24 Univ. of Providence Inv.
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Invitational
Montana State University - Billings (Men)
Sept. 8 - 10 Grob Cup
Sept. 16 - 17 Hardrocker Invitational
Sept. 26 - 27 SMU Bishop Invitational
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 WWU Invitational
Oct. 7 - 8 Briarwood Shootout
Oct. 14 - 15 Yellowjacket Fall Inv.
Montana Tech (Men)
Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 Labor Day Classic
Sept. 22 - 24 Argo Sizzler
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Invitational
Rocky Mountain College (Men)
Sept. 8 - 10 Grob Cup
Sept. 22 - 24 Argo Sizzler
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Inv.
Oct. 14 - 15 Battle at the Dance
Nov. 4 - 5 Firestorm Invitational
Carroll College (Men)
Sept. 23 - 24 Northern Invitational
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Carroll College Invitational
University of Providence (Men)
Sept. 22 - 24 Univ. of Providence Inv.
Sept. 28 - Oct. 1 Beartooth Invitational
Oct. 6 - 8 Invitational
BUTTE LABOR DAY CLASSIC
BY TY SPARING
MSGA Communications Coordinator
One of the Butte Country Clubs longest standing annual events, the Labor Day Classic once again drew out some of the state’s best golfers who were all vying for a piece of the $24,000 purse. A three-day tournament, the Labor Day Classic has a unique format in that golfers compete for the individual gross title, a team title that goes towards the top seven-person team, and a variety of fun side games like long drives, longest putt, closest to the pin, deuce pot, etc. Always a popular event for both men and women, this year’s Labor Day Classic had a large field of 196 golfers.
Helena’s Chad Carlson ended up the big individual winner at -3 (207) over three consistent rounds of 68, 70 and 69. His twelve birdies led the field and he was fifth in total pars made with thirty-three, which propelled him to an eight stroke victory. For his efforts, Carlson went home with $1,199.23.
Tied for second place at +5 (215) were two more Helenans, Brady Kirkeby and Riley Lawrence. Kirkeby had a blazing first round finish of -7 (63) that included six birdies over the final eight holes (11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18). He struggled a bit in the second round with a 79, but carded an eagle early in the third round and remained consistent the rest of the way that left him in second place with a pocket full of cash.
Riley Lawrence meanwhile didn’t waver much throughout the tournament, finishing second in the field with thirty-five pars made, and three similar rounds of 72, 71, and 72. Like Carlson, Kirkeby and Lawrence both won a Saturday deuce pot that put their total Labor Day earnings at over $900.
Rounding out the top five was Idaho’s Lee Reed and Helena’s Spencer Williams who finished at +10 (220) overall. With a few deuce pots in the mix between the two, Reed took home $848 and Williams earned $744.
ARIZONA'S FOSTER CAPTURES 40TH ANNUAL MONTANA OPEN
BY TY SPARING
MSGA Communications Coordinator
The Larchmont Golf Course in Missoula hosted the 40th annual Montana Open, September 6-8. A stroke-play event with both professionals and amateurs, there were 95 golfers vying for the title over three-rounds.
Arizona’s Scott Foster and Missoula’s Jimmy Mee were in first and second place after the first round and continued battling each other for the top spot until the very end. Ultimately it was Foster, a two-time champion of the event (2014, 2018) that took home the title after a clutch birdie on the last hole to give him the one stroke
victory over Mee. Foster led the entire field with eighteen birdies over the three days and finished up with a final score of -12 (204).
Mee, the current University of Montana golf coach and former champ of the Montana Open as well, had an eagle on the first hole of the tournament and even took a slight lead over Foster early in the third round. Foster continued producing birdies however, and despite carding three himself in the final five holes it wasn’t quite enough for Mee to overtake the lead.
Tied for third place at -7 (209) overall was Missoula’s Sean Ramsbacher and Colorado’s Tristan Rohrbaugh. It was a nice showing for Ramsbacher, the reigning Montana State Mid-Am champion, as he ended up the top amateur overall.
The Rohrbaugh father-son duo of Doug and Tristan Rohrbaugh were not only competing against the field, but for family bragging rights as well. Father Doug finished just one stroke behind son Tristan, a Boise State golfer, taking home the fifth place spot at -6 (210).
It’s been an eventful summer for the Larchmont Golf Course, having lost over 140 trees after the powerful storm that hit Missoula back in July. The Larchmont staff and broader community have been working hard to get the course back in shape, and considering the vast amounts of damage it’s a testament to them that Larchmont can resume as one of the state’s most popular championship golf courses.
For full results, CLICK HERE.
JOEY MOORE CRUISES TO VICTORY AT THE GALLATIN VALLEY OPEN
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
After a summer of competing in high profile events around the country, Joey Moore was back in Montana for a spell before heading off to Italy to play in the DP World Tour Q-School later this year. Having recently competed well in high-money tournaments like the Colorado and Texas Opens, the Billings native showed up to the Gallatin Valley Open as sharp as ever, winning the event by seven strokes.
Held September 7-8 at the Cottonwood Hills Golf Course in Bozeman, 120 of Montana’s top amateur and professional golfers competed in a 36-hole stroke-play tournament. Moore set the tone early with six birdies through his first nine holes of play (holes 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9) and followed that up with four more birdies (holes 11, 13, 16, 18) on the back nine and an eagle on the par-five hole 12. His
blistering first round score of -9 (63) was the lowest of the tournament and gave him a fourstroke lead going into day two.
The second round was more of the same for Moore, a two-time Montana State Amateur champion (2019, 2023), as he carded the second lowest score of the event with a -6 (66). He added another eagle on the par-five hole 7, and five more birdies (holes 1, 6, 10, 16, 18), which put him at -15 (129) overall and seven strokes ahead of the second-place recipients Jhared Hack and Christian Muscarello who tied at -8 (136).
In fourth place was Steve Schneiter at -6 (138) and rounding out the top five was Corey Prugh who finished up at -3 (141) overall.
The lowest scoring amateur was Helena’s Spencer Williams who ended up in sixth place overall at -2 (142).
For full results, CLICK HERE.
Two-time Montana State Amateur Champion Joey Moore won the Gallatin Valley Open in Bozeman by a whopping seven strokes.
FALL 2024 HIGH SCHOOL GOLF SCHEDULE
Class AA Date
Great Falls Invite 8/19
Billings Invitational 8/19
MCPS Invitational 8/26
Belgrade Invite 9/3
Butte High Invitational 9/11
Helena Invite 9/12
Kalispell Invite 9/18
Class A Date
Sidney H.S. Triangular 8/20
Ronan Invite 8/22
Columbia Falls Invite 8/26
Whitefish Invite 8/27
Frenchtown Invitational 8/29
Whitefish Triangular 9/3
Steve Hullet Invitational 9/4
BCHS Invite 9/4
Libby Invite 9/12
Sidney Invite 9/13
HOW TO “SLOW THE PO”
BY PAUL JACOBS USGA AGRONOMIST - CENTRAL REGION
As creeping bentgrass greens age, one of the greatest challenges is limiting the amount of Poa annua contamination that inevitably develops and becomes more problematic over time. Its persistence is nothing short of incredible, and control requires a good understanding of plant physiology, herbicide sensitivity and the timing of various cultural practices. So, here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to “slow the Po” in bentgrass greens.
• Careful timing of cultural practices such as hollow-tine aeration with large-diameter tines (i.e., >0.375 inches) can reduce the amount of Poa annua contamination. Typically, targeting late summer instead of early fall is a good idea when trying to promote creeping
bentgrass over Poa annua. Most Poa annua will germinate when soil temperatures at a 2-inch depth cool to 66 F or less for several consecutive days and adequate moisture is present.
• More surface disruption typically results in greater Poa annua pressure. It is an incredibly opportunistic plant and when voids are created in the turf canopy, Poa annua is happy to fill in. With that said, withholding cultivation for the sole purpose of reducing Poa annua pressure is not desirable if the result is excessive organic matter accumulation. You must find a balance, and organic matter management takes higher priority.
• The use of Class B plant growth regulators (PGRs) has been widely accepted and successfully implemented to reduce Poa annua populations over time.
USGA
Poa annua contamination is obvious during spring and fall, when bentgrass has not yet started to grow aggressively. If you want to keep this invader under control, you need a comprehensive strategy.
These PGRs slow the growth of Poa annua more than creeping bentgrass, which places the competitive advantage in favor of bentgrass.
• Ultimately, creeping bentgrass has two major weaknesses – shade and traffic. Reducing these when possible can help give bentgrass an edge over Poa annua. Where bentgrass struggles under shade and traffic, Poa annua is ready to thrive.
• There is some relatively new chemistry available to help selectively control Poa annua in bentgrass greens. While it has worked well thus far, it is important to implement a comprehensive management program to discourage Poa annua
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.
and create an environment that is favorable for bentgrass to ensure long-term success. Poa annua has developed herbicide resistance to many other chemistries and it is wise to implement sound practices to help delay potential resistance to new products as they become available.
Effectively slowing Poa annua contamination into bentgrass greens requires a comprehensive strategy. If there was a silver bullet, very few courses would continue struggling with this incredibly opportunistic species. If you would like help developing Poa annua management strategies in more detail, contact your regional USGA agronomist.
USGA
Poa annua can produce an exceptional putting surface given the right conditions. In fact, it’s the primary putting green turf at many U.S. Open courses. So why is Poa annua loved by some and disliked by many, and why is it so difficult to understand what makes this grass tick?
