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ON THE FIRST TEE... With Nick Dietzen

rowing the Game—and Keeping It Within Reach

By almost every measure, golf in Montana is strong. Last year, MSGA membership reached a record 23,021 golfers. Junior participation continues to grow, championship fields are strong and courses across the state remain busy. Those are encouraging signs for a game that, not so long ago, was asking how to attract and retain more players. Growth, however, brings a different set of questions. As more people take up the game—or return to it—tee sheets become more crowded. The cost of maintaining a golf course continues to climb, and those costs inevitably affect what golfers pay. Equipment, travel and tournament entry fees can make competitive golf feel increasingly expensive. In some communities, simply finding an available and affordable place to play can be a challenge. There are no simple villains in that equation. Courses face real pressures involving labor, water, equipment and infrastructure, even as golfers reasonably worry about what the game is beginning to cost them. That creates a responsibility for everyone invested in the future of Montana golf. It is no longer enough to ask whether the game is growing. We also need to ask whether the opportunities surrounding it are growing— and whether golfers of different ages, backgrounds, communities and ability levels can find a place within it.

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The MSGA cannot set the price of a round or create more tee times on a crowded Saturday morning. We can, however, help golfers navigate the opportunities that exist, introduce them to courses they may not otherwise play and create new reasons to participate. For many, an MSGA membership begins with establishing and maintaining a Handicap Index®. That remains important, but it is far from the whole story. Membership connects golfers to clubs, competitions, educational resources and programs across the state. It also supports junior golf and other efforts intended to keep the game healthy and accessible for the next generation. Most MSGA members do not consider themselves tournament golfers—and they do not need to. Competition can mean pursuing a championship, testing your game against a new course or simply becoming better than you were yesterday. The challenge lasts a lifetime, whether your drive travels 300 yards or 180.

A moment of rest and relaxation for golfers at the Montana State Mid-Amateur Championship in Polson.

Our responsibility is to make playing opportunities easier to discover and less intimidating to pursue. A golfer should not need to be a club champion or know someone in

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the field to feel welcome. At the same time, strong fields and regular waitlists show that demand is pressing against the limits imposed by available courses, favorable weather

and Montana geography. In some championships, smaller fields have allowed host venues to reopen for public play after the competitive round. Local golfers can experience a course prepared for championship golf while the facility reduces disruption to its regular players. It is one example of competition and access complementing one another. We also want to create and publicize playing opportunities beyond our traditional championships. This magazine, our website, email and social media can help members find them and understand the trends affecting the game. If we communicate only when it is time to renew a membership or enter a championship, we have missed an important part of our role. We also want to hear from you. What are you seeing at your home course? What questions do you have about handicapping, access, competitions, junior golf or the direction of the game? What opportunities are you having difficulty finding? In future issues, we hope to answer some of those questions. We may not have an immediate solution to every challenge, but we can listen, share what we know and connect more golfers with existing opportunities. Golf’s growth is worth celebrating. The next task is ensuring that growth produces a game that is not only larger, but also more connected, informed and within reach for our community of golfers. Together, We Are Montana Golf!

Have a question for the MSGA you'd like answered? Send it our way at support@ msgagolf.org. Chances are other golfers are interested too!

MSGA

ABOUT US BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OFFICERS PRESIDENT................................................... Peter Benson VICE PRESIDENT.................................. Ron Ramsbacher TREASURER....................................................... Bill Dunn PAST PRESIDENT......................................... Mary Bryson EXEC COMMITTEE......................................Joe Rossman BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ross Bartell, Peter Benson, Carla Berg, Marshall Bettendorf, Mary Bryson, Brandon Davidson, Bill Dunn, Cheri Ellis, Lisa Forsberg, Marcia Hafner, Susan Haskins, Jeri Heard, Katy Peterson, Ron Ramsbacher, Joe Rossman, Rod Stirling MSGA STAFF Executive Director......................................... Nick Dietzen Tournament & Player Dev. Director.............. Tim Bakker Membership Operations Director............... Emily Hulsey Member Services Manager.............................. Ian Hulsey Marketing and Branding Director................... Katie Fagg Communications Manager.............................. Ty Sparing Partnerships & Business Development...... Nick Dietzen PARTNERSHIPS Nick Dietzen.............................. 1 (800) 628-3752, ext. 6 406GOLF STAFF Editor in Chief................................................ Nick Dietzen Senior Writer...................................................... Ty Sparing Graphic Designer.................................................Katie Fagg Contributing Writer......................................Shanda Imlay Contributing Writer.................................Cade Shoemaker Contributing Writer........................................Avery Linder Contributing Writer........................................Noah Weyne Contributing Writer.........................................Isabel Ewers Contributing Writer.........................................Toby Dinges Contributing Writer...........................................Peter Grass Contributing Writer.....................................George Waters Contributing Writer.....................................Lee Rainwater

Montana State Golf Association P.O. Box 4306 Helena, MT 59604 1 (800) 628-3752 www.msgagolf.org

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TICKET SEASON You don't want to miss this!

BY NOAH WEYNE

MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

The Montana State Golf Association’s Trip of the Month raffle is back, running from September 2026 to August 2027. If you are like me, you are skeptical of raffles – they usually feel like a long shot dressed up to look like your odds are better than they actually are. But as a 21-year-old who wants to travel and see the world, I was even convinced to buy a ticket. Here’s why. THE ODDS ARE ACTUALLY GOOD It costs $200 to enter, and that single ticket gives you 12 chances to win a trip and 12 chances to win your money back. Here is the part that changed my mind: the raffle is capped at 300 tickets. That’s a much smaller pool than most raffles, so your odds are better than most. With 300 tickets sold and two winners drawn each month, each ticket has nearly an 8% chance of being selected at least once during the year. And that’s assuming all 300 tickets sell - if they don’t your odds are even better.

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Stack that up over 12 months of drawings, and the odds of walking away with something are really solid. If you are the first name drawn, you and a guest get to go on one of the trips listed below. And if the trip does not fit your life – say, a city getaway to Seattle in April does not sound too fun because you already travel there a lot for work – you are not stuck. You can swap the trip for a $1,000 travel voucher or take $750 in cash instead. And if you are anything like me, you also maybe had the thought - do I really have the time to go to Alberta in November? Well, here is the great news: you have 12 months to get the trip you won on the books. The travel agency works around your schedule, not the other way around. THE 2026-2027 LINEUP September 2026 — Winter Spa Getaway at Sage Lodge: 2 nights' accommodations plus $100 toward spa treatments near Yellowstone (valid Dec– March, holidays excluded)

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October 2026 — Missouri River Outfitters: a three-day guided canoe trip for two on the Upper Missouri–White Cliffs stretch, departing from Fort Benton November 2026 — Las Vegas, Nevada: round-trip air for two, three nights' accommodations, and two show tickets December 2026 — Lethbridge, Alberta: three nights' accommodations for two at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort, plus $500 for gas and greens fees January 2027 — Flathead Valley, Montana: three nights' accommodations plus $200 for greens fees February 2027 — St. George, Utah: round-trip air for two, three nights' accommodations, and $500 toward greens fees at Black Desert Resort March 2027 — Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana: three nights' accommodations for two with hot springs access, plus $200 toward gas and greens fees. April 2027 — Seattle,

Washington: round-trip air for two, three nights' accommodations, and two Seattle CityPASSes May 2027 — Riviera Maya, Mexico: round-trip air for two and four nights' all-inclusive accommodations with airport shuttles June 2027 — San Antonio, Texas: roundtrip air for two, three nights' accommo-

dations, and a Riverwalk boat cruise July 2027 — Belize: round-trip air for two and five nights' hotel accommodations August 2027 — Roundtrip air for two to anywhere in the contiguous U.S. If you are the second person drawn, you get your $200 back – no harm done, and you are still in the running for a

different trip the following month. WHERE THE MONEY GOES So where would my $200 go if I don’t win anything? Well, here is the other good news - all proceeds go to the MSGA Junior Grant Program. The program provides vital funding to junior golf programs for kids in grades K-8

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across Montana, from our largest cities to our most rural communities. Grants can be used to buy golf equipment for the first time or host lessons and golf camps. This program is open to all MSGA member clubs, individual MSGA members or Montana schools that desire support to include golf in their physical education curriculum. I got introduced to golf at a

very young age, and some of my fondest childhood memories are rounds with my dad and sister. This fund can help create those same memories for the next generation. The sport has taught me values I still lean on today, in college and as a young professional: resilience, patience and integrity. Are you convinced yet? To sign up for the Trip of the Month - Raffle Fundraiser

Play the MSGA Raffle for a chance to win a fabulous trip for two.

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CLICK HERE or grab a brochure at your next MSGA tournament! Drawings are held monthly through August 2027. You do not need to be present to win, and MSGA membership is not required to enter. Winners must be 21 or older. A ticket is limited to 2 first-place wins and 2 second-place wins over the course of the raffle. Blackout dates and restrictions apply; see official rules for full details.

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Gary Koprivica MONTANA GOLF HALL OF FAME BY TY SPARING

MSGA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

When asked recently by 406GOLF what his recent induction into the Montana Golf Hall of Fame meant to him, Gary Koprivica proudly replied, “It’s the most important accolade that I’ve ever had in golf. You know being from Montana, born and raised and starting my golf career really early in Butte, it is one achievement that means more to me than anything else.”

up. Although his parents didn’t play, “being there so close to the golf course, that’s where it started,” Koprivica recalled of his entry into the sport. “They used to let the kids play free Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So we’d go down there and play 18 holes or 27 holes then we’d go play baseball, we were always outside doing something.”

Showing a natural inclination towards golf, he got his first taste of success at age fourteen when he was both the city junior golf champion and Highland View Municipal Course club champion. The wins kept coming for Koprivica What has remained consistent throughwho collected a bevy of junior titles and club out Gary Koprivica’s wide-ranging life in golf championships, along with earning spots two is that he has found success playing at every years in a row at the Jaycee National Junior level, starting when he was just a kid growTournament, which was a prestigious event ing up and learning the sport in Butte, to the college level where he starred at the University that had previously been won by the likes of of Montana and qualified for two U.S. Amateur Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, and Doug Championships, to his adult life where he won Sanders among others. At one point a prescient local reporter commented that Koprivica numerous tournaments and club championwas a “long ball belter, who, some say, is desships throughout the years and shined at the tined to follow in the footsteps of Montana’s various national and international events he greatest golfers.” played in. A fixture on the Montana amateur golf scene for decades, his recent Montana Koprivica capped off his high school career Golf Hall of Fame induction is a testament to with Butte High School by winning the 1963 the elite level of play that Koprivica has main- Class AA State individual title. tained for over half a century. Having accepted a golf scholarship, he Thinking back to the old days growing up in Butte, he reminisced that “we were outside playing sports all day long. Back in those days we were out at 8:00 in the morning and not back until dinner.” Along with a handful of neighborhood friends, Koprivica was often seen playing pick up football or baseball or out at the 9-hole city course with sand greens that was just a couple blocks from where he grew

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enrolled at the University of Montana that next fall, a school attended by many within the broader Koprivica family including his father, both his brothers, and his daughter. Koprivica was part of the inaugural 1964 Griz golf team, a legendary squad that went on to win the Big Sky Conference all four years he was there, along with earning All-Conference achievements every season for himself. “It was great

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Gary Koprivica competing at the 2002 Barnett Memorial Tournament at Missoula Country Club. (Photo by Michael Gallacher/Missoulian)

to be able to play here and have such great success,” he said, “it was fun times.” He had a several-year hiatus from playing golf after graduating college, but Koprivica was back in form by 1975 when he won his second Barnett Memorial Day Tournament along with winning the first of many Missoula Country Club Championships. It was “very meaningful to be club champion,” he said about his host of victories over the years. Having made his home in Missoula during his adult life, the country club in Missoula is still Koprivica’s favorite course. “You know it’s such a great golf course always in great shape,” he said, “If I could play one course in Montana it’d be the MCC.” One of the more memorable characters that Koprivica had the pleasure of golfing with during this era was Montana’s favorite daredevil, Evel Knievel. Both hailing from Butte along with being avid golfers, Koprivica played

many rounds with the famous showman. “It goes clear back to when I was young starting to play with him,” Koprivica recalled, “I played with him before he was successful at the municipal golf course.” In fact, during college when Koprivica worked at the Butte Country Club, Knievel along with several others would wait every day for his shift to end at 2:00 upon which they’d all go out and play a round. “He was totally different. He was a Butte guy,” Koprivica said, “And always treated us great. We’d have a lot of fun with him. He had a great short game. About an eight or nine handicap, so yeah he wasn’t bad at all and he did love to bet.” The stories of Evel Knievel’s gambling enthusiasm on the golf course are legendary, and as Koprivica recalls, “back when I was in college, whenever he wanted to win from us he’d make crazy bets and always try to win $25 or

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Sporting Goods, eventually climbing to the position of General Manager. He was a regular at the top of the leaderboards and competed in high level events like the Montana Cup. And yet in 1997 at age 52 Koprivica experienced a golfing renaissance, taking his game to new levels. Starting with another Barnett Memorial victory – 33 years after his first – he went on a five-year run that included seven national and international championship appearances, a 2002 Montana State Mid-Amateur title, and of course another Barnett Memorial title for good measure. “I’d go out to Seattle on business and kind of as a lark I sent my entry in to qualify for the Senior U.S. Open,” he recalled of his first appearance in 1997. Along with qualifying and being the first Montanan to ever play in the prestigious event, it was a special moment because his daughter Kori was there to see it. “My daughter has been very supportive of me,” Koprivica said, “she caddied for me in that first qualifying in Seattle. She’s been very supportive of me and encouraged me.”

Gary Koprivica lining up a putt at the 1997 Montana State Amateur.

$30 from us every day. He had lots of money. And he was very giving.” Knievel also had a legendary temper on the course, as Koprivica explained, “he had steel plating put on around [his cart]. So if he got upset he could hit the cart. He was a character.” As the years rolled on Koprivica continued competing in events around Montana while also building up his career with Bob Wards

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The U.S. Senior Open was held at Olympia Fields in Chicago that year, with a field of icons that included Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Ray Floyd and Hale Irwin. Koprivica had the privilege of getting paired with another legend, six-time major winner Gary Player. “That really was a highlight in my later career,” Korpivica said of playing with Player. “He was into horses so we talked about Montana. He really treated me well.” Koprivica went on to play in the U.S. Senior Open one more time in 2002, while also competing in two U.S. Senior Amateurs (2001, 2002) and three British Senior Amateur Championships (2000-2002). He played well in these high-level events too, making it at least to the match play round every year he played in the amateur tournaments if not farther. In 2001 he finished in a tie for 10th place at the British Senior Amateur at Royal Portrush

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in Ireland, helped in part by a memorable caddy. Shortly before the event Koprivica was on a business trip to Florida and was out on the course one day and after the folks he was playing with realized he was headed to Ireland for the British Senior Amateur, they alerted him to the fact that there was a kid named Ricky in the pro shop that was in the U.S. on a golf scholarship, and he happened to be from Portrush. Koprivica introduced himself to the young man and after a couple different conversations the two agreed on Ricky caddying for him that week at Royal Portrush. “So he guided me around that golf course just unbelievable,” Koprivica fondly remembered, “And now he’s the caddy for Brooks Koepka. Ricky Elliott. He was a good player himself.”

with Evel Knievel and played against multiple time major winners, who went from the sand greens of Highland View Municipal in Butte to some of the world’s most prestigious courses and beyond, and has made many friends along the way and all backed by a supportive and loving family. Now he can call himself a Montana Golf Hall of Famer.

2002 was a particularly memorable year for the 57-year-old Koprivica, tying for 8th place at the British Senior Amateur, placing top eight after making it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Senior Amateur, played in the U.S. Senior Open for the second time, and amidst all of that he won his first Montana State Mid-Amateur Championship after finishing runner-up on four other occasions. Nowadays, Koprivica still enjoys playing golf. When he spoke to 406GOLF he had played in Butte the day before with three friends from high school. “That’s one of the things I’ve been very blessed with over my golf career is the friendships that I’ve been able to form,” he said. A beloved figure in Missoula and Butte alike, and in golf circles all around the state, Gary Koprivica has influenced the game like few other Montana golfers. As MSGA Executive Director, Nick Dietzen, stated recently, “although a fierce competitor, he has been a genuine advocate and ambassador for Montana golf for the past six decades.” Koprivica exemplifies the spirit of golf in Montana. An elite golfer who has made bets

In 1964 Gary Koprivica joined the University of Montana golf team and led them to the Big Sky Conference title all four years he was there.

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Roger Wallace MONTANA GOLF HALL OF FAME BY TY SPARING

MSGA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

industry, working 36 years for Polson Bay Golf Course and having been elected to leadership positions across every level of PGA of America. As MSGA Executive Director, Nick Dietzen, stated recently, “Roger’s contributions in golf are numerous, but his 'golf tree' of PGA professionals, apprentices and players coming out of Polson Bay have roots that spread far and wide and is as impressive as anyone in the Treasure State.”

Roger Wallace in 1983 when he was working at Buffalo Hill GC .

Roger Wallace has a distinguished history as a player, professional, and organizational leader throughout his career in golf. A threetime champion in both the Stroke Play and Match Play Championships held by the Western Montana Chapter (WMC) PGA of America, Wallace has had his share of success on the course including over 100 victories at Western Montana Chapter PGA Pro-Am events. Along with his outstanding playing abilities, Wallace has also reached the upper echelons of the golf

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Originally born in Whitefish, Wallace spent much of his youth in Washington where he was a standout high school golfer for Ephrata and later Eisenhower High School in Yakima. Upon graduation he went on to star for the Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington University golf teams, where over a three-year period he won seven invitationals. In 1980 while at Spokane Falls, Wallace was the season medalist and part of a talented squad that won the NWAACC Conference Tournament. He was eventually the first male golfer inducted into the Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) Hall of Fame for his achievements at the two-year institution. Likewise, while at Eastern Washington, Wallace earned the PNW Golf Coaches Association 1981 Division II Player of the Year award. After graduating from EWU in 1982, Wallace made his way back to Montana where he worked for a few years as an assistant professional at Meadow Lake Golf Course in Colum-

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Roger Wallace at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Polson with wife Carolyn and son Robbie.

bia Falls and head professional at Buffalo Hill Golf Club in Kalispell. Almost immediately upon being hired at Buffalo Hill, Wallace told a local newspaper about his intention to build up junior golf programming in the area. “The future of golf is with the juniors,” he said. “If we neglect them now, they won’t be playing later.” Those words about giving back to future generations have proven to be one of the defining features of Wallace’s life in golf. In 1987 he went to Polson Bay Golf Course where he spent over three decades making his mark with junior programs and helping mold the small town into one of the premier golfing communities in the state. As the Pacific Northwest Section PGA (PNWPGA) remarked thirty years later upon his induction into their Hall of Fame, “Roger Wallace has been the driving at

Polson Bay Golf Course for the past 30 years. He has been instrumental in raising funds for local organizations, and together with his staff has built a junior program in which over 400 kids participate annually.” Wallace’s numerous accolades earned while he was a youth and college golfer compounded as he got older with six WMC PGA “major” victories, over 100 wins at WMC PGA Pro-Am events, two Lake City Open titles and he is a 19-time qualifier for the MSGA-WMCPGA Montana Cup. His playing career alone is Hall of Fame worthy, and yet as Wallace told 406GOLF recently, “make no mistake, none of that is possible without the success we’ve achieved at Polson Bay.” Indeed, Polson Bay Golf Course went through some dramatic transformations in the years since Wallace was hired on. In 1989

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the picturesque 9-hole course on the south end of Flathead Lake added nine more holes, and then once again ten years later they added nine more, making it one of the few 27-hole courses in the state of Montana. As he told former Great Falls Tribune sports editor George Geise back in 2000, “The operation of our new course is everything we thought it would be, and more.” While Polson Bay tripled in size in the matter of a decade, under Wallace’s direction so too did Junior Golf, Tournament Operations, and Instructional Programming opportunities expand along with it. “We’ve built a culture of excellence in golf operations along with a culture of value, fun and inclusion for our pass holders and guests,” he proudly told 406GOLF. “We’ve grown from hosting zero MSGA and MHSA events to being a sought after venue for both associations. We are leaders in affordable public golf and extremely proud of that.”

of Montana. He served as a founding member and past president of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA Junior Fund, as well as serving on the National Board of Directors for PGA America. He’s collected many accolades along the way, including the 2014 PGA of America’s National Bill Strausbaugh Award which is designed to recognize PGA Professionals who exhibit exceptional leadership abilities and dedication to their local communities. Along with the National Award, Wallace has collected four Pacific Northwest Section Bill Strausbaugh Awards along with being named the section’s Golf Professional of the Year four times. As MSGA’s Dietzen stated, “Roger is respected, admired and has been recognized by his peers locally, statewide and throughout the Pacific Northwest. His leadership has extended well beyond Polson where he’s been synonymous and instrumental in the growth of one of Montana’s favorite facilities.”

Wallace’s influence also extends beyond the shores of Polson Bay and even the boundaries

Given such a background both playing and in various leadership roles at Polson Bay and

Three recent Montana Golf Hall of Fame inductees assembled at Polson Bay Golf Course. Left to right, Jerry Pearsall, Shanda Imlay & Roger Wallace.

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PGA of America, Wallace carries with him many great memories. The victories on the course were always nice, as were his triumphant moments in golf operations. He even had the good fortune to officiate three PGA Championships at Oakland Hills, Hazeltine and Whistling Straights, along with officiating two Ryder Cups at Vahalla and Celtic Manor. “But far and away,” Wallace said, “the moments that stand out the most to me have been my children’s success in golf.” His daughter Erin was an All-State golfer for Polson High and went on to play collegiately at the University of Puget Sound. Wallace’s son Robbie meanwhile is a 12-time Special Olympics State Golf Medalist. As Wallace said to 406GOLF, “Our game has given a 29-yearold Downs Syndrome man the confidence and interpersonal skills to truly succeed in life… much more than just a game. Coaching them and seeing their hard work pay off has been easily the most rewarding experience for me in golf.”

Preceding his recent Montana Golf Hall of Fame induction, Wallace was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Section PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2016 as well being the first golfer inducted into the Community Colleges of Spokane Athletic Hall of Fame. Given his expansive golf background and the accompanying expertise on being a Hall of Famer, this is a man that knows a thing or two about what the honor truly means. However, when asked for what type of advice he would give to the youngsters out there looking to join the Montana Golf Hall of Fame someday, “Do not begin, nor live your career in golf with the goal to be inducted into any Hall of Fame,” he said. “Put in the work and be your absolute best version of you at everything you do. Be a ‘Hall of Fame’ human being first, do that hard work and know in your heart that you’ve done as many things as possible the right way, the first time, every time and the Montana Golf Hall of Fame will find you.”

Roger Wallace celebrates his Montana Golf Hall of Fame induction with family and friends.

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Old Works Golf Course A Gift to an Old Mining Town. BY TY SPARING MSGA COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

There aren’t too many golf courses in Montana with a story like the Old Works in Anaconda. In the 1880s Old Works wasn’t thought of as a premier golf destination, but rather two sites (Upper Works and Lower Works) that at their height had a capacity to process 4,000 tons of ore daily, shipped in by rail from the nearby Butte mines. As one Minneapolis newspaper described it in 1885, “from a distance of 30 miles, the great clouds of smoke that rise from among the mountains indicate the location of Anaconda and the greatest copper smelter in the world.” Founded by the Irish-born Copper King, Marcus Daly, the Anaconda Mining Company’s upper and lower works operated until 1910 when they closed down in favor of the more modern Washoe Smelter which was built just a few miles down the road. Being a company town, Anaconda relied on Daly’s mining conglomerate for infrastructure and recreational activities, which included one of Montana’s earliest forays

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into golfing. Although it was over ninety years before Old Works Golf Course opened on former company grounds, Anaconda was nevertheless one of the Treasure State’s most influential golf cities in the early going, with a rudimentary country club built in 1900, just one year after Butte Country Club became the first of its kind in Montana. Using funds from the Daly estate, the original Anaconda Country Club on the west end of town was in use for only a handful of years before going dormant until 1915 when the idea popped up again, this time on land near Mill Creek. The nine-hole Anaconda Country Club is still in use today.

ultimately paid nearly $1.5 billion in the ensuing decades cleaning up the roughly 20,000 acres of contaminated soil.

Having been dismantled and abandoned, Old Works meanwhile was reduced to a local garbage dump site for decades while the nearby Washoe Smelter chugged along until 1980 when the new ownership group Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) shut down operations, greatly impacting Anaconda’s economy. ARCO, which purchased the Anaconda Company in 1977 (along with its liabilities) later admitted it an “awful business decision,” and

Finally in the early 1990s the town of Anaconda decided to move forward with creating a new golf course at the spot where Marcus Daly set up his original smelters over a century prior. The idea was conceived by local residents Gene Vuckovich, Bill Hickey, and Frank Bennett when they were passing through Coeur d’Alene on their way home from Seattle. They realized that the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course was built on the site of a former sawmill

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Only slowly did the area residents recognize the profound impact of the hazardous materials leaking into the surrounding environment, a toxic mix of arsenic, copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc. With an estimated 1.7 million cubic yards of waste, by 1983 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stepped in and designated the original Old Works site as a high-priority superfund cleanup project. Finding a way to manage the waste was the priority, but how to utilize the land took a few years of brainstorming.

and thought it could work in Anaconda. As Vuckovich told a Montana Standard writer in 1997, “When I realized they would never probably return the Old Works site to its pristine state, I said ‘Why not here?’” Soon after, the trio along with a number of other Anaconda residents formed the Arrowhead Foundation, a private non-profit aimed at raising money for the new course. With ARCO committing around $20 million specifically to the golf course project, it enabled the small town of Anaconda to actively

seek bids from some of the top golf course designers in the country. After hearing out a few options, city leaders ultimately went with creating the state’s second Jack Nicklaus Designed Golf Course, with a cool $1 million designer fee paid to the Golden Bear. Nicklaus and his senior design associates, Bruce Borland and John Olenoski, had their work cut out for them not only designing a championship level course but also making sure to check all of the environmental boxes. As The Montana Standard detailed at the time, “Once on the course,

golfers are standing atop a 2-foot barrier designed to keep them safe from tailings loaded with heavy metals and arsenic. This safety cushion includes a 2-inch lime layer on the waste, covered by 12 inches of clay material, then finished with about 10 inches of dirt made of sand and Eko Kompost, a fertile soil from Missoula.” On top of that, the bunkers and the greens were lined with special plastic blankets, water hazards constructed with water-tight liners to manage infiltration and a network of drains and pipes

A view of the Washoe Smelter "Big Stack" in 1975, just a few years before it shut down for good.

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to irrigate water from nearby lakes. While Old Works still embraces its mining past as seen in the black slag bunkers, it is nevertheless a miracle of environmental ingenuity. Nicklaus himself played an exhibition match in July of 1997 to celebrate the opening of Old Works Golf Course and on the bag that day was former MSGA Board Member and legendary Montana sportswriter, George Geise. With a gallery of around 3,000 fans cheering on Nicklaus, he ended up with the first course record with a 2-under-par 70. Not a bad bar to set! Since that original record set by the Golden Bear some of Montana’s more notable golfers have put their names in the mix as well. Laurel’s Tom Anderson tied Nicklaus’ record later that summer and in 1998 former Major League Baseball pitcher Jeff Ballard took the record for himself after posting a -3 (69). Ballard even joked about breaking the record the day before to a group that included Tyler Erickson, Pat Miller and Ryan Malby. That was later matched by MSGA Hall of Famer Nathan Baily in 1999 when he was playing in the State A Tournament for Laurel High School. Then in 2013 former Korn Ferry golfer and fellow MSGA Hall of Famer, Brandon McIver, posted a -7 (65) at a U.S. Amateur Qualifying event back in 2013, a score that still

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stands today. With the Washoe Smelter’s 585 foot tall “Big Stack” looming in the background as a constant reminder of Anaconda’s copper smelting past, the new “Old Works” has provided current generations of area residents a different way to define the city that almost became our state’s capital. Since its opening, Old Works has remained one of the most well-known and sought-after golf courses in Montana. With it’s unique black slag traps, and the many remnants of the old mining days, it’s a bucket list type of destination for many golfers around the state and beyond. Whether it’s the public access, reasonable pricing, the deep history of the grounds, or the friendly Anaconda atmosphere, Old Works represents the beauty of the Montana golf community, perhaps more than any other course in the state. For the MSGA, Old Works has been one of our favorite partners to work with over the years. Along with regularly hosting MHSA events, they have graciously provided the venue for many of our Senior Tour events, U.S. Amateur Qualifiers, and even the Men’s State Amateur Championship back in 2023. This year in particular we’re excited to host the Montana State Four Ball Championships at Old Works, held September 19-20.

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Fans gather at the newly built Old Works.

Old Works site cirque 1920s.

Children pose in front of smelting works in 1885.

1. Who introduced you to golf? My dad and my grandpa.

6.What is your dream foursome (living or dead)? Why would you choose them? Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, and my Dad. Tiger and Scottie are my favorite golfers and it would be fun to play with them and my dad.

2. Who influenced you most in your golf life? My dad was always pushing me to work hard and do my best. My mom and him always supported me in all of my tournaments.

7. What’s your most memorable moment on a golf course? Probably playing PGA National in Florida for college nationals. It was such a cool course and a lot of fun.

3.How did it feel to win the Mid-Amateur Championship this year at Missoula CC? It felt pretty awesome. I have come close in a few championships, so to finally get one was a great feeling. 4. What is your favorite course in Montana and why? Green Meadow CC or Rock Creek - love the home course at Green Meadow, but Rock Creek is incredible and so fun. 5.What is your favorite part about being the head golf coach for Jefferson High School?

8.If you could change one thing about the game of golf what would it be? Getting relief from divots in the fairway. 9. What advice would you give to beginner golfers? Keep working hard and don’t give up. Golf is hard. Bonus: Lay up or go for it?

Watching the golfers grow and work hard.

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Go for it.

Helena's Anna DeMars won her first Montana State Mid-Amateur Championship earlier this summer at Missoula Country Club.

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IT IS YOUR DAY BY PETE GRASS RETIRED CGCS

If there is a part of the golf world that has been often overlooked from the game's inception, I would argue that it is the golf course maintenance team. They are the folks who most golfers rarely see, especially if you play in the afternoon or evening. They do not work out of the clubhouse, so their “home” is usually somewhere on property but somewhat hidden from view, thus they do not often interact with players. This team is led by a man or woman with the title of Golf Course Superintendent in most parts of the world, in the UK and some parts of Europe, a Greenkeeper. Whatever the title, the basic responsibilities are the same worldwide, to maintain a golf facility to the best of their ability, given the resources that are available to them. That could be anywhere from the almost unlimited budget that only very few facilities have, to the smallest that operates on sometimes only one paid staff member. In both of those scenarios, that person is doing the best that they can to provide an enjoyable space for you the golfer to be outdoors, meet with friends, get some exercise and challenge yourself to compete by hitting a silly ball around a property until it finally goes into a small hole, 9, 18 or sometimes more times a day.

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One day a year the international golf world designates “Thank A Superintendent/ Greenkeeper Day. This year it falls on Tuesday September 8th. GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) has a website “thankasuper.org” to give you the golfer the opportunity to pass along thanks or thoughts to the Superintendent where you play. If you feel so inclined, I can say from personal experience that it makes a difference to know that you and your staff’s work is appreciated. Please take a moment to either use that website or if you have an email or phone number to send a message to, that is great also. If you do not know who that person is where you play, this is a great opportunity to find out. September can generally provide some of the best golf weather and course conditions. Cooler days and nights really make our cool season grasses perform at their best. Shorter daylight hours mean less growth, generally firmer faster conditions (especially green speeds). That has always been a frustration of mine, during the summer months I always tried to keep green ball roll speeds up in the 10-10.6’ range. Often to hit those speeds we had to mow at the lowest height of cut our reels would go, roll greens and manage irrigation and fertilization very closely. Almost

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The golf course maintenance team is often overlooked but a vitally important part of maintaining the playing grounds.

magically and with great frustration to me, come mid-September, greens speeds often crept up to 11’ or more when we did absolutely nothing different, just natural changes to lower temps and less daylight hours. Take

the time to play some fall golf, enjoy these great course conditions and enjoy your time on the course, also remember to Thank A Superintendent on the 8th if you can. Thank you!!!

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Looking Back on the 2026 Season BY CADE SHOEMAKER MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

Without a doubt, I feel like I squeezed everything I possibly could out of being a USGA Boatwright for the Montana State Golf Association. Not only did the work itself include every facet of the sports communication industry that I wanted to gain experience in, but being able to travel across the state for tournaments and see the Pacific Northwest corner of the United States was a special treat. The work itself was enjoyable because so many MSGA staff members created a warm welcome to Montana and were very easy to approach about work-related things. Katie Fagg was a great communications manager for the other Boatwright interns and me, allowing us freedom to be creative, but also communicating clearly on initiatives or feedback to better our social media and tournament coverage. On the written side, Ty Sparing was incredibly helpful in teaching me how to write a press release and what content should be included or cut in tournament previews or miscellaneous articles. Thirdly, Nick Dietzen was the welcoming face to Helena for Noah Weyne and I, and made work fun in a way that I had not had a boss do before. I greatly enjoyed getting to know him on downtown walks near the office, out on the golf course, and over meals

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after long tournament days. It's clear why the MSGA has flourished under his leadership, as he is a friend to all and the anchor keeping the organization's different branches connected to its roots. As for the work I did, I was grateful for the MSGA’s trust in allowing me to focus on the aspects of communication that I wanted to grow in. For me, I had two goals before the summer: one work-related, the other life-related. The work goal I desired was to gain lots of experience in photography and videography, especially making short-form content for social media. This included getting a plethora of different still shots, with motion blur, wide-angle, and close-up photos helping to create a diverse portfolio. I also edited photos in several different ways, even trying my hand at Photoshop trends such as the pixel stretch or 3x1 edits. As for the video component, I feel like I grew a lot in my editing skills, whether it was just for a silly reel or a longer edit that included layering several videos and sounds to create a professional final result. Any work where I was able to be creative was enjoyable for me, and the communications department certainly welcomed that aspect. This was why the Junior Championship was my favorite tournament, since it was where we made several comedic reels and got juniors involved in a fun way that also produced en-

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gaging content. The second goal I also accomplished this summer was gaining experience in a simulated, post-grad lifestyle. For three months, I lived in a completely new environment, far from family and friends (other than my roommate), where I felt like I lived an adult lifestyle for the first time. This included weekly grocery shopping and meal prepping, learning to budget for rent, food, gas, etc., all off my summer income, while still balancing a good out-of-work routine of being active in the gym. Not only was it good practice for me, but it gave me confidence that post-grad is going to be an enjoyable experience where work isn’t the only thing dominating my day-to-day life. Some of my most enjoyable memories of the internship came from the tournaments themselves. The ability to meet so many people, young and old, who lived lives completely different from mine in the Southern U.S. was awesome. I was grateful to see just about every part of Montana that I could imagine, big cities and small towns in between, with mountain views that took my breath away on every interstate we drove on. More than that, I was extremely thankful for time off between tournaments to see parts of the country I had never imagined, including a road trip to Seattle, a tour of the National Parks at Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Glacier, as well as a cross-country road trip to get out here (and eventually get back). Montana will always have a special place in my heart, as will the MSGA, and I am incredibly grateful to the many people, places, and experiences that truly made it the Treasure State.

BY AVERY LINDER

MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

My summer working with the Montana State Golf Association as a social media and communications intern was nothing short of incredible. When I first arrived in Montana back in May, I knew that I would learn a lot about the golf industry but I didn't realize just

how many new experiences, relationships, and memories I would take away from this summer. Working as a Boatwright intern, I had the opportunity to work on many different aspects of the MSGA. My duties included helping photograph tournaments, create social media content, assist with tournament set-up and check-in, stockpile posts for off-season advertising, and produce a variety of video projects for promotion. One of my favorite parts of the internship was getting to be creative with social media and finding new ways to highlight players, tournaments, and the sport of golf across Montana. I also really enjoyed getting to see all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in order to put on a successful tournament. Some of my favorite memories came from traveling around the state to different tournaments throughout the summer. Getting to see so many different courses and meet golfers from all across Montana made every tournament a new experience. I loved getting to experience the different communities we traveled to and seeing what made each tournament unique. Outside of work, exploring Montana, spending time with the other interns, and making the most of our time together made the summer even more memorable. Living in Montana was also a huge part of the experience. Coming from Minnesota to a new state and getting to explore places I had never been before made the summer even more memorable. From the mountains and national parks to the small towns we traveled through, Montana was definitely different from what I was used to, but in the best way possible. One thing that I am especially proud of is how much I grew throughout the summer. I was brand new to the golf industry coming into this internship, so I had a lot to learn, and I feel like I gained so much knowledge and experience along the way. I became way more

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comfortable in my photography, social media, and communication skills, all while learning how to work during the fast pace tournament weeks. My biggest advice to next year’s interns would be to say yes to everything. The summer goes by so much faster than you expect, so take advantage of every opportunity, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Make connections with everyone and take in as much as you possibly can. You never know who you’ll meet or what you will learn along the way. I am so extremely grateful to the MSGA, the Boatwright program, and everyone who made this summer so memorable. I’m leaving Montana with new skills, great friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. I will always look back on this summer as a special experience and one that I am very grateful to have been a part of.

BY NOAH WEYNE

MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

I lived where? For how long? Doing what? Those are the three questions my 18-year old self would have asked immediately when figuring out what my 2026 Summer Internship looked like. I came into college thinking I would change the world through policy and advocacy, but I quickly found the power in telling stories and making relational connections.

I did not want my summer internship to be about work that I did not find interesting or work that did not feel up my alley. Golf was one of my first loves in life and combining that with communications felt like the perfect fit. I can confidently say, I am no longer walking away with the soft skills that jobs often produce, but also the hard skills of being able to claim the titles of a writer, editor, photographer, videographer and co-worker. Golf has been the one constant in my ever changing life. From moving around a lot as a kid to transitioning to college, golf has brought me not only a pastime and hobby that I love, but friends and a community. I was reminded this summer of the beauty of the sport. The feeling of hitting a pure shot and perfecting your swing on the range. The looks of joy on competitors' faces when they finally feel like their hard work is paying off. And even the disappointed faces of players who fell short, but that disappointment never lasts too long. No matter what, every golfer experiences the brutality of the sport. And every time you see a disappointed face one week, you can slowly see it turn to determination. Determination to get better. Determination to try a new approach. A determination to not let hard things in life get to us too badly. I was reminded of the reason why I fell in love with the crazy sport in the first place – golf constantly teaches you to enjoy the little things. Whether that is the lucky break off the tree branch, or the putt that somehow got the lip and went in, or even the breaks that are bad.

I am wrapping up my time as the MSGA’s Communications and Social Media Intern and will head back to my home state North Carolina to embark on my senior year at UNC-Chapel Hill. When I chose to apply to the MSGA, the main reason was because I had a friend who spent the summer in Montana and loved every second of it. Now, here I am packing up a car with tons of memories and experience to think about over the four day drive back home.

The Unexpected Blessings - When I accepted the position, I did not know anyone in the entire state personally. I had one college friend that had an aunt and uncle in Kalispell. Which I found out quickly was about three and a half hours away from where I would be working. Yet, my roommate at UNC-Chapel Hill and fellow intern, Cade, found a connection to live in Helena.

Biggest Takeaways - I wanted experience.

Since coming to Montana, the culture of

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the people really shocked me. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and is always willing to help. Because of strangers, I have gotten to play some amazing golf courses, share meals with people that I just met, travel to over ten new cities and have free housing, find a church community, work part-time at Green Meadow to play the course and even get some free eggs. Montana has taught me to welcome all and to always befriend strangers quickly. I am incredibly grateful for this summer’s experience and the chance to take an adventure this summer. A huge thank you to the MSGA staff for their support and kindness towards me.

BY ISABEL EWERS

MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

This summer as a Boatwright intern with

the Montana State Golf Association was an experience I will always be grateful for. Coming into the summer, I knew I would learn a lot about tournament operations and the golf industry, but I did not realize how much I would learn about myself, teamwork, and everything that goes into putting on a successful golf tournament. Throughout the summer, my role included a little bit of everything. I helped with registration, scoring, starting, pace of play, course setup, preparing tournament materials, and answering player and rules questions. I also spent a lot of time working with Golf Genius, Excel, and Google Drive. Every tournament was different, which kept the job exciting and gave me the opportunity to learn something new each week. One of my favorite parts of the internship was getting to experience so many different tournaments. From the Montana State Men’s

Four of the 2026 MSGA Boatwright interns: Noah Weyne, Cade Shoemaker, Isabel Ewers, and Avery Linder.

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Amateur Championship to the Montana State Match Championship and the Montana State Junior Championship in Billings, each event came with its own challenges and memorable moments. Another highlight of the summer was getting to know the other interns and the people throughout the MSGA. Working long days together during tournaments created a lot of fun memories, and having other interns going through the same experience made the busy days much more enjoyable. I will definitely miss the laughs, long tournament days, and all the little moments in between. Living in Montana was also a huge part of the experience. Coming from Sweden and spending the summer in Montana was definitely an adjustment, but I loved getting to experience a completely different part of the country. The scenery, outdoor activities, and people made Montana feel like a special place to spend the summer. I am leaving with so many memories that go far beyond just the work I did and Montana is for sure my favorite state so far! One thing I am especially proud of is how much more confident I became throughout the summer. At the beginning, there were many things I had never done before, and by the end, I felt comfortable taking responsibility and solving problems on my own. This internship showed me how many different moving parts are involved in running a golf tournament and gave me a much greater appreciation for everyone who works behind the scenes to make these events possible. My biggest piece of advice for future Boatwright interns would be to say yes to everything. Ask questions, take initiative, and enjoy the experience. The summer goes by much faster than you expect, and some of the best memories come from the unexpected moments. I am incredibly thankful to the MSGA and everyone who made this summer such a

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meaningful experience. I will forever remember the lessons, friendships, and memories from Montana and I will for sure come back!

BY TOBY DINGES

MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

Hello again, my name is Toby Dinges. I had the honor of meeting many of you at tournament check-in, on course, or throughout the summer as an MSGA Tournament Operations intern. I live in Bozeman, Montana yearround, and will be attending Montana State University in the fall of 2026. I was blessed to spend this summer in Montana exploring the natural beauty of this great state. I traveled from Briarwood in Billings, Montana to Polson Bay Golf Course in Polson, Montana. Even though I wasn’t playing much, I was still able to enjoy the amazing courses in Montana. I was one of two interns from Montana who kicked off their internships at the USGA Boatwright Summit in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. There I was able to get a brief introduction to what would follow back at our respective Affiliated Golf Association. While I was there, I gained many new connections from across the United States. I think this experience exposed me to what would follow this summit—the bright beginning of a great opportunity within this internship in the golf industry. As I returned home, I began my summer at the Green Meadows Country Club in Helena, Montana. We hosted a Senior Tour event, where I met many of the 84 competitors and began to connect with some of the competition. Here, I met most of the staff, who welcomed me with open arms and were truly appreciative of having me as an intern. This is where my summer went from zero to 100 real quick. I left Helena to begin my internship in full swing. I began working hard on Golf Genius and on hole locations for upcoming tourna-

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ments. Many of the players at our events only see what happens on the day of the tournament; however, much of the actual work takes place well before the event. During this process, I found Nick, Tim, and Katie very helpful with Golf Genius, Strakaline, and much of the software used by the MSGA. During part of my internship, I was joined by four other interns, all of whom came from completely different states/countries to be here. My partner in crime was Isabel Ewers, who attended Lander University in South Carolina but was originally from Sweden. During tournaments, you would find Isabel and me out there setting up tee boxes for the day, enforcing pace of play, and entering final scores for events. The other three interns, Cade, Noah, and Avery, were communications interns; however, don’t let the role name fool

you. I can recall at all of our events the communications interns helped set up and run the tournament. This group of interns was special and truly made me lucky to be joined by such a caliber of young business professionals. When I was tasked with reflecting on my internship, it made me think beyond just another summer or job. It helped me grow as an individual and as a team. The group of MSGA staff this year was such a joy to work with and truly made me excited to see the future of the Montana State Golf Association. I encourage anyone interested in working in the golf industry to apply for this internship. I want to thank all the volunteers and supporters of the MSGA; you are the reason we can run our tournaments smoothly. One last thing: Hit Em Straight!

Isabel Ewers and Toby Dinges pose at Montana State Match Play Championships at Bill Roberts GC in Helena.

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The Kids Are Alright (And They’re Golfing) BY MELISSA DICKSON MSGA BOATWRIGHT INTERN

As summer comes to a bitter end for students going back to school, spending the last of the year’s sunny days on the course is only just beginning for high school golfers as they kick off their tournament season in Missoula. Home to the Montana Grizzlies Football team, Missoula has an extensive football fanbase. This we know. And yet, more and more young kids are turning to golf. Not just as a sport they can transition into high school (and into old age) with, but as a unique social bonding opportunity. Of course football provides this, and much more, but at the cost of extreme pressure and competitiveness, hanging on to the slight chance that one day you’ll go to the NFL. And if you’re lucky you get to hang in there and play until you’re the age Tom Brady was when he retired “for good”. According to a Youth Golf Statistics and Participation Report, published by Drake & Birdie Golf Co., in 2025 the number of youth golfers ages 6-17 has grown 58% since 2019, the largest growth of any demographic in the sport. That same report attributes the trend to a rising popularity in the simulator to entertainment venue pipeline, diversity expansion, affordability infrastructure with programs like Youth on Course, and female participation momentum. “It’s a lot less stressful on kids. I think there’s a lot more opportunity,” Shaelyn Hafer, head golf coach at Big Sky High School in Missoula said. “People are just thinking long term, like, can I pursue a football career after high

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school compared to a golf career?” This year, upwards of nearly 50 prospective young golfers took to the greens in mid-August to try for a spot on the team, to play in either JV or Varsity at Big Sky High School. Only 25 make it through. Hafer says she’s noticed an uptick in the number of kids who decide to pursue golf as a fall sport coming into high school. “I’ve noticed that there’s just a lot more younger kids in the Missoula community who are just, you know, grabbing a set of clubs and going out with their friends and playing golf, which is awesome,” Hafer said. In 2017, only around 15-20 kids tried out for the golf team, and about 10-12 kids progressed on to make it between both Varsity and JV. It’s only Hafer’s third full season as head coach, but she has had to turn away more and more prospective golfers each year in an effort to maximize the opportunity she gives to each individual player. In her first year as head coach, she said she kept about 40 kids on the team and without any assistant coach, decided she would have to slim that number down for the next year’s team in order to manage it. “I see a lot more younger kids, instead of going and, you know, doing whatever they do with their friends in the summer, being like, let’s go play golf,” Hafer said. An increased effort in promoting the high school team itself has been in motion the past few seasons since Hafer started, she said it’s been something she focused on promoting more to kids to come out and try and meet others who are already on the team.

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The Big Sky High School golf team in Missoula shows just how popular golf has become within the ranks of high school athletics.

For kids just entering high school, golf is a sport they can join without feeling like they have to already be a pro to start and be a part of something. “I’d like to think I make it as stress-free an environment as possible for the kids,” Hafer said. “Hang out, come and say hi, come and see if this is something you’d be interested in.”

those who made the team were already out on the course at the Butte Country Club in the Intercity Invitational where they played against Hellgate High School and Sentinel High School. Four out of the five top female golfers were from Big Sky and one of them took 1st place.

The Monday after try-outs this August,

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What would Shanda do? You ask, Shanda Imlay answers. Last month I asked the following question: A player starts their downswing during their tee shot when the ball starts to fall off the tee. The player pulls up trying to avoid hitting the ball but, on the follow-through, makes contact and the ball goes about twenty feet off tee. How should the player proceed? I loved the responses I received so now let’s look at the answer to see if you are correct! Let's open our rule books and turn to 6.2b (5) which states: If the player makes a Stroke (which is defined as the forward movement of the club made to strike the ball) at a ball that is falling off the tee, the stroke counts and the ball is played as it lies. If the ball remains in the teeing area, it may be re-teed anywhere in the teeing area, and the player is making his or her second stroke. It’s hard luck, I’m afraid, but in this case the player is going to have to play it as it lies. Now, if a teed ball falls off, or is knocked off the tee,

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before you’ve made a stroke at it, then there is no penalty and you can re-tee it anywhere you like in the teeing area. Hope you had fun answering the question! In September the MSGA is conducting one of its most popular events of the year, the Montana State Four-Ball Championship hosted by Old Works Golf Club in Anaconda. I thought this would be a good time to review some of the differences in the Rules. Maybe a hint that before you play you might want to look at Rule 23! WHAT IS FOUR-BALL? Four-Ball, commonly referred to as “better ball,” is a format in which two golfers compete together as a side, with each player playing their own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. It can be played as gross or net and as stroke play or match play.

HOW DOES SCORING WORK? When both partners hole out, the lower score is the side’s score for the hole. When only one partner holes out, that partner’s score is the side’s score for the hole. The other partner does not need to hole out. PARTNER DO’S AND DON’TS A player may take any action concerning the partner’s ball that the partner is allowed to take before making a stroke, such as marking the spot of the ball. Partners are allowed to share clubs or play from the same bag if the total number of clubs they have together

doesn’t exceed 14, and partners are allowed to provide advice to each other such as club selection.

have to play first – rather, each team can play in the order that they determine is best.

Conversely, any action taken by the player concerning the partner’s ball or equipment is treated as having been taken by the partner, and the partner is subject to the penalty. For example, a penalty would be applied to the partner’s score if the player causes their partner’s ball to move in the rough or fails to mark the spot of their partner’s ball before lifting it.

For example, if “A” and “B” are partners and A is further from the hole, side “A-B” could decide to have “B” play first.

RULE 23.6 SIDE’S ORDER OF PLAY Unlike in other formats, the player furthest away from the hole doesn’t necessarily

RULE 23.8 RESTRICTION ON PLAYER STANDING BEHIND PARTNER WHEN STROKE MADE In addition to the limitations in Rule 10.2b(4), a player must not stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball while their partner is making a stroke to gain information for their (the player’s) next stroke. Under Rule 23.9b(2) there

Matching clothes highlight the team spirit involved with Four-Ball.

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are situations Where Player’s Penalty Also Applies to Partner. When Player Breaches Rule 4.1b (Limit of 14 Clubs; Shared, Added or Replaced Clubs). In match play, the side gets the penalty (adjustment of the match score); in stroke play, the partner also gets the same penalty as the player. When Player’s Breach Helps Partner’s Play. In either match play or stroke play, the partner also gets the same penalty as the player. RULE 23.2B SIDE’S SCORECARD IN STROKE PLAY (1) Side’s Responsibility. The side's gross scores for each hole must be entered on a single scorecard. For each hole:

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•

The gross score of at least one partner must be entered on the scorecard.

•

There is no penalty for entering more than one partner's score on the scorecard.

•

Each score on the scorecard must be clearly identified as the score of the individual partner who made it; if this is not done, the side is disqualified. It is not enough to identify a score as the score of the side in general.

•

Only one partner needs to certify the hole scores on the side's scorecard under Rule 3.3b(2).

(2) Committee’s Responsibility. The Committee is

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responsible for deciding which score counts for the side on each hole, including applying any handicaps in a handicap competition: •

If only one score is entered for a hole, that score counts for the side.

•

If the scores of both partners are entered for a hole: If those scores are different, the lowest (gross or net) score for that hole counts for the side. If both scores are the same, the Committee may count either score. If the score used is found to be wrong for any reason, the Committee will count the other score.

If the score that counts for the side is not clearly identi-

Don't forget, even if your score doesn't count for your team, you still have an acceptable score for handicap purposes.

fied as the score of the individual partner who made it, or if that partner is disqualified relating to the play of the hole, the side is disqualified. One of the most misunderstood concepts in Four Ball Competition is regarding posting for handicap when a player does not complete the hole. Can you record a score for Handicap purposes? The answer is YES! Under the Rules of Handicapping, you would use the Most Likely Score. The definition of most likely score is

implied with the term: It’s the number of strokes taken (including penalty strokes), plus the number of strokes you would most likely require completing the hole from wherever you pick up. So, if you lag your 20-foot par putt to tap-in distance and your partner is already in with par, you can pick up and record a bogey for handicap purposes – since you would most likely make that putt. With that said, the use of most likely score can extend beyond tap-in range. So, if

your partner chips in for birdie and you have 12 feet left for par, since you can’t improve the team’s score for the hole, you can pick up and use your most likely score from there as well. This time, your most likely score would be a bogey since you would most likely take two putts from that distance to hole out. Remember – even if your score doesn’t count for your team, you still have an acceptable score for handicap purposes.

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Handicapping Mailbag BY LEE RAINWATER USGA

1. Can I still post a score if I don’t finish my round? Sometimes a round doesn’t go the distance – whether it’s due to weather, fading daylight or a four-ball match that wraps up early. However, you can likely still post a score for handicap purposes, even if you didn’t finish all 18 holes. Here’s how it works: If you’ve completed at least 9 holes with a valid Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®, your score is eligible for posting. If you’ve played 10 to 17 holes, you’ll need to enter hole-by-hole scores for the holes you did play. From there, the system takes over. It calculates a Score Differential™ based on your actual performance and combines it with an expected Score Differential – determined from your Handicap Index on the day of the round – for the holes you didn’t play. This approach ensures your efforts still count, even if the round doesn’t go the full 18. It also places appropriate weight on the holes you did

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play, maintaining the integrity of your scoring record. 2. What is a Playing Handicap™? Your Playing Handicap is the number of strokes you give to, or receive from, an opponent for the round being played. It’s based on your Course Handicap™ but can be adjusted depending on the format of play, a handicap allowance or if players are competing with different pars. Think of it this way: Course Handicap is you against the course, while Playing Handicap is you against other players. When determining a Playing Handicap, it’s important to apply the handicap allowance to the unrounded Course Handicap. This avoids multiple rounding points in the process. Here’s an example: Someone has a Handicap Index® of 6.3. The Course Rating™ / Slope Rating® / Par are 71.2 / 122 / 72 respectively. The Course Handicap is calculated to be 6.0017. With a handicap allowance of 90%, the players

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playing handicap is 5 for the day. Good news: The USGA GHIN app, along with most tournament software and score-posting apps, handle these calculations automatically. So, while it’s helpful to understand the logic, you usually won’t need to crunch the numbers yourself. 3. What if I compete against someone who is playing a set of tees with a different par? When golfers compete from tees with the same par, no adjustment to Playing Handicap is needed. Simple enough. But when the par differs, a Playing Handicap adjustment is required in most stroke play and match play formats to keep the competition fair. The adjustment ensures that no player gains an unintended edge just because their tees have a lower par. Here’s how it works: If your tees have a higher par than other players, you’ll receive extra strokes equal to the difference in par.

These strokes are added to your Playing Handicap using this formula: Playing Handicap = (Course Handicap × handicap allowance) + difference in pars Alternatively, if most of the field is playing from the tees with the higher par, players on tees with a lower par could have strokes subtracted instead. This adjustment helps level the playing field, so the focus stays on skill – not tee selection. Same as Playing Handicap, the USGA GHIN app and most other tournament software and score-posting apps handle these calculations automatically.

4. What is an Exceptional Score Reduction? Occasionally, you might post a round that’s well below your current Handicap Index. When that happens, the World Handicap System™ steps in with a builtin safeguard called the exceptional score reduction (ESR). Its purpose? To keep your Handicap Index aligned with your demonstrated ability. Here’s how it works: If your Score Differential is 7.0 to 9.9 strokes better than your Handicap Index on the day of the round, a -1 adjustment is applied to each of your most recent 20 Score Differentials. If your Score Differential

is at least 10.0 strokes better than your Handicap Index, a -2 adjustment is applied to each of your most recent 20 Differentials. A couple of other things to keep in mind: •

If you post more than one exceptional score, the adjustments are cumulative – so multiple standout rounds can lead to a more significant adjustment.

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The ESR doesn’t apply to future scores (unless they’re also exceptional), so the effect of the reduction will gradually fade as you continue to post scores.

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The Perils of Practicing on the Course BY GEORGE WATERS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, GREEN SECTION EDUCATION

Golfers are always looking to sneak in a little extra practice, and the golf course is a tempting place to do it. It can be quieter than the practice facility, the grass is often in better condition, and many courses don’t have a grass range tee or chipping green so the best opportunity to hit practice shots off grass is on the course itself. What’s the harm in dropping a few extra balls during a round to work on shots that have been giving you trouble, or taking a divot on your practice swing to make sure you’ve got the right feel for the next shot? The problem is a product of math and location. The last thing most golf courses need right now is more divots. They have been handling record numbers of rounds for multiple years in a row, and we’ve all seen the signs of accumulated wear and tear on the courses we play – even with superintendents trying their best to keep up. Adding unnecessary divots to the equation doesn’t help. Even if you repair the damage, undisturbed grass is always a better lie for future players than a nicely repaired divot. We also have to admit that many divots go unrepaired, so it’s better to not create them in the first place. Whether we are talking about practice swings that catch the ground heavier than planned, a redo that you don’t intend to play, or a flop shot practice session next to a green, taking divots on swings that don’t count should be avoided.

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The other issue is where on-course practice tends to occur. Golfers take most of their divot-producing practice swings on par-3 tees, in fairway landing areas, and within 100 yards of the green. These are areas that already collect a lot of divots during normal play. Additionally, if players are hitting multiple approach shots to work on their game, we get the added problem of more ball marks, with a high probability that some of them will go unrepaired. It’s not that accidentally taking a divot on a practice swing or replaying an approach shot for fun is a huge problem on its own. The problem is when the exception becomes a habit, and the habit becomes an example. With the amount of play golf courses are getting these days, it’s more important than ever to minimize our impact during a round and limit practice to designated areas. If the course already has too many divots and ball marks, it doesn’t need more; if it’s in great shape, extra divots and ball marks are not going to make it better.

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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.

Hitting some extra practice shots on the golf course can be tempting, but it’s more important than ever to minimize our impact during a round and only practice in designated areas. (Photo Courtesy of Wyatt Byrd)

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