ON THE FIRST TEE...
With Nick Dietzen
This July, Paul Caruso Jr. was inducted into the Helena Sports Hall of Fame. It was deserving recognition for Montana’s preeminent rules of golf official. While Paul is a member of several Halls of Fame including the MSGA, it was fun to help celebrate this honor in our shared community of Helena.
Paul was a longtime Bank President in Helena and a known figure in the community. Aside from his professional success and affable manner, to many his stature in the golf world is a sidenote or not known at all. This checks
out as Paul is not one to brag, boast or insert himself into the limelight.
He does, however, know how to tell a good story. Here’s a version of his story…
Paul grew up in Superior, the lumber town in Western Montana. At the time, it was about 65 miles from the closest course. So, when Paul Caruso Jr. decided to take up the game around the age of 10, he had no choice but to design his own short course.
Caruso cut two cups into the ground at the
Left to right: Matt Donald, Lenette Caruso, Amy Quarles and Paul Caruso Jr. at the Helena Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet.
neighborhood park across the street from his house, he hit it around trees, over hills, across walking paths, whatever it took to get it in the hole.
After playing some collegiate basketball and studying, Caruso Jr. found his way to Helena as a banker for First Security and as a casual golfer until 1986 when a friend invited him to work at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. A few months later, Caruso attended a Rules of Golf seminar and then became a member of the Green Section Committee.
Paul moved beyond his love for playing golf to volunteering and spending time around the game both at the grassroots level and eventually to the highest stages of competition.
An avid student of the rules, Caruso Jr. officiated his first USGA Championship in 1989 at the U.S. Senior Open (Laurel Valley). In 1992 at Pebble Beach, Caruso Jr. began a 13-year streak of officiating U.S. Opens. Paul was a walking official assigned to groups to assist with rules and served in other capacities throughout the rules arena.
Caruso Jr. has officiated at the Masters, the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, the Curtis Cup, the Walker Cup and the PGA Championship. He’s traveled extensively in these capacities and additionally abroad for Royal and Ancient Championships and in recent years internationally for various LIV Tour Events.
Paul’s wife, Lenette, instrumental in supporting, traveling with and becoming another expert on the road and friend of all who she meets.
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
Nick Dietzen ............................. 1 (800) 628-3752, ext. 2
406GOLF STAFF
Editor in Chief............................................... Nick Dietzen Consulting Editor........................................ David Bataller Staff Writer........................................................ Ty Sparing
Designer............................................... Katie Fagg
Montana State Golf Association P.O. Box 4306 Helena, MT 59604
1 (800) 628-3752 www.msgagolf.org
Caruso Jr. was instrumental in bringing two national championships to the Treasure State in 1994 the U.S. Amateur Public Links (sunset in 2014) was held in Bigfork at Eagle Bend Golf Course and the U.S. Junior Girls’ Junior Amateur at Meadow Lark Country Club in Great Falls.
As is customary in the golf scheduling world – of course there would be a conflict for the Montana events –they were played the same week and, ironically, Caruso Jr.’s oldest daughter Amy (Quarles) qualified for the Girls’ event.
"We had worked so hard to entice the championships to Montana," Caruso Jr. said. "That was the proudest week of my life (with Amy playing). Obviously, I wasn't going to miss that. But when she didn't qualify for match play, we packed up and drove a couple hundred miles to the Public Links, where I refereed a couple of matches."
Caruso Jr. was a member of the select, USGA Executive Committee for a decade and served as both the treasurer, vice president as well as chairing the Rules of Golf Committee for four years as well. When it comes to the rules of golf, you could say Paul was essentially on the Supreme Court for Rules. His ability to not only officiate but educate is what sets him apart from the select few who know the rules.
Despite his national accolades and service to the golf world, Paul has never shied away from helping locally. Both in Helena and statewide he has been the first call to so many who need help. Whether it be the Montana High School Association, the Frontier Conference, the Big Sky Conference the Montana State Golf Association, Paul is always generous with his time, experience and knowledge.
When Montana hosted the 2022 Girls Junior Americas Cup, Paul was instrumental in
Paul Caruso, Jr., delivers his induction speech recently at the Helena Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet
creating the Notice to Competitors (Rules), the evacuation plan if needed and helped set the hole locations with me.
Paul has captained numerous teams including the amateurs at The Montana Cup, the United States’ 2016 World Amateur Championship Team that included current world number one, Scottie Scheffler in Cancun, Mexico.
Last week, Paul and his wife, Lenette, joined Team Montana for the Montana/Alberta Junior Ryder Cup Matches in Eureka at the Wilderness Club. Paul and I captained the boys team, while Katie Fagg and Andrea Tucker captained the girls team with Lenette keeping track of us all.
It was yet another opportunity of Paul stepping up to provide assistance. Several times, he made rulings, at other times he shot the breeze with our players and Alberta juniors alike.
Paul has a great sense of humor and kept
things light no matter what situation arose –a player locked in a bathroom, an impromptu trip for breakfast burritos before 7 a.m. nothing rattles, Paul he takes it in stride – after all he’s seen it before or something more bizarre and if you’re lucky you’ll get to hear the story.
Helena’s local hall of fame included individual athletes, past teams and Paul was included in the “Special Category” section. That seemed to sum it up just about perfectly to me. He’s in a category all his own.
"The great thing about the sport is golf transcends age," Paul said. "You just go out and enjoy the sport."
Montana-Alberta Captains (Left to right): Andrea Tucker, Nick Dietzen, Paul Caruso, Jr., Lenette Caruso and Katie Fagg.
LIAM CLANCY COMPETES IN U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
BY NICK DIETZEN MSGA Executive Director
Thanks to his victory in the 107th Montana State Amateur Championship, Liam Clancy of Laurel competed at the 124th U.S. Amateur in Chaska, Minnesota. Clancy was one of 312 players in the field with the low 64 players advancing to match play.
Clancy started round one at Chaska Town Course with a 73 (+3). On the front nine, Clancy made birdies on holes 1, 5 and 7. He bogeyed 3, 4 and 6 en route to an even-par 35
on the front. Clancy added three bogeys to the card on the back for 38. Day two saw Clancy head to the historic Hazeltine National Golf Club where he again posted three-over-par with bogeys on holes 4 and 8 and a birdie on hole 6 for a front-nine 37.
Clancy made his only double bogey of the tournament on the 10th hole, added a bogey on 12, but finished in style with a birdie on hole 18 for 38 on the back-nine for 75 (+3). Clancy’s total of 148 (+6) was T169, nearly at the mid-point of the field overall.
Great job, Liam. You made Montana proud!
2024 Montana State Amateur Champion Liam Clancy (right) had his brother-in-law, Chris Lien, on his bag at the U.S. Amateur.
AMATEURS TAKE DOWN PRO'S IN MT CUP
The 2024 Montana Cup was hosted by Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda, August 13-14. The annual event sees 12 of the top amateur players take on 12 of the top club professionals in Montana for a Ryder Cup Style Match. Contested over two days, day one featured 18-hole four ball matches (best ball) and 18-hole chapman matches. Day two featured 12 individual singles matches.
During the four ball matches, the amateurs jumped out to a 11.5 to 6.5 advantage with four of six matches going the way of the amateurs including two sweeps with Chris Goldan (Bozeman) and Eric Nell (Missoula) picking up 3 points as did Samuel Berry and Payton Stott both out of Billings. In the afternoon chapman matches, Carl Funk (Arlee) and Brad Grattan (Whitefish) picked up three points as did the father-son combination of Ron and Sean Ramsbacher (Missoula). Berry and Nell managed three points as well to help give the amateurs a commanding 12 to 6 advantages for the chapman session and 23.5 to 12.5 lead going into the final day.
The amateurs 11 point lead was sorely needed as the professionals made a valiant comeback capturing advantages in 8 of the 12 singles matches. Sean Ramsbacher (Missoula) swept his match over Garrett Woodin and Chris Goldan did the same with a win over Renzi Lee. The six points between the two proved to be the difference as the final tally was 37 to 35 in favor of the amateurs and for 2024, they wrestled back the Montana Cup from the professionals who won in 2023 at Polson Bay Golf Course.
Representing the amateurs were: Brad Grattan (Whitefish), Carl Funk (Arlee), Kerry Heard (Billings), Chris Hunter (Billings), Bob Hasquet (Missoula), Payton Stott (Billings), Ron Ramsbacher (Missoula), Sean Ramsbacher (Missoula), Eric Nell (Missoula), Chris Goldan (Bozeman), Samuel Berry (Billings) and Bill Dunn (Missoula).
Representing the professionals were: David Owens (Missoula), Jason Lehtola (Stevensville), Jake Wilson (Hamilton), Chad Carlson (Helena), Scott Longenecker (Great Falls), Caleb Trost (Laurel), Connor Sproull (Missoula), Garrett Woodin (Billings), Paul Bennett (Bozeman), Renzi Lee (Billings), Travis Wright (Helena) and Tom Conway (Big Sky).
BILLINGS' PEARSALL WINS MSGA STATE SENIOR TOURNAMENT
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
2024 is the summer of Jerry Pearsall, as the Billings’ golfer led wire-to-wire at the 69th Montana State Senior Tournament for his second title in the event. It’s Pearsall’s second MSGA title this year, as he also won the Montana State Senior Amateur earlier this summer in Laurel.
Yesterday’s scores near the top of the leaderboard were phenomenal, led by Pearsall’s -7 (65), but on the third day it was more a game of attrition, as there wasn’t a single score posted under 73. Along with the grueling nature of a three-day event, the wind picked up a bit in Bozeman to make it that much more challenging.
Pearsall came into the final day with a threestroke lead over Bozeman’s Bill Leach, and after carding a +5 (75), he managed to secure the win by one stroke at -5 overall. He collected birdies on holes 13 and 14, which was just enough to head back to Billings with the trophy in hand.
Leach gave it a run during his final round of +3 (73), with birdies on holes 9, 10, and 13. His 73 was the low score of the day, as he finished near the top of the leaderboard once again in second place at -4 overall.
Whitefish’s Brad Grattan, the 2022 Senior
Tournament winner, came in third place at +3. After notching three eagles yesterday, Grattan’s third round came in at +6 (76) with two birdies (holes 9, 16).
In fourth place was Bozeman’s Todd Sisson at +7. He had a third-round score of +5 (75) with birdies on holes 9 and 13. Whitefish’s Gene Walsh also cracked the top five, finishing in fifth at +9 overall, with a final round score of +8 (78).
Tied for sixth at +10 was Three Forks’ Jerry Faechner and Bozeman’s Jon Yousko. In eighth place at +11 was Bozeman’s Tom Vander Vos, and rounding out the top ten at +12 was Polson’s Carl Funk, Bozeman’s Lee Levine, and Helena’s Doug Olson.
Division winners included Pearsall in the Freshman Division, Gene Walsh in the Sophomore Division, Doug Olson was the Junior Division winner, and Jack Thompson led the entire way in the Senior Division for the win at +25 overall.
In the Super Senior Masters Division (ages 8588) Miasoula's Norman Carey took home the victory, while in the Super Senior Legends Division (89+) Missoula’s Glen Kozeluh claimed the title.
Note: An updated leaderboard can be found online at www.msgagolf.org as well as through the Golf Genius App via GGID: 24MSGASR
Jerry Pearsall of Billings won the overall title at the 2024 MSGA State Senior Tournament, finishing at -5 overall to win by a stroke.
2024 MSGA STATE SENIOR TOURNAMENT
Cottonwood Hills Golf Club
Bozeman | August 6-8, 2024
T25. Martin Reilly 77 72 85 +21
T25. Larry Symmes 76 78 80 +21
T27. Tim Benjamin 79 78 79 +23
T27. Todd Ward 82 76 78 +23
T29. Dan Purcell 81 77 79 +24
T29. Mike Lewis 80 80 77 +24
T29. Doug Solberg 77 78 82 +24
T29. Marshall Bettendorf 77 77 83 +24
T33. Rick Valore 72 82 84 +25
T33. Jack Thompson 76 79 83 +25
T35. Ray Lynn 75 82 82 +26
T35. Dave Stengel 80 77 82 +26
T37. Joe Rossman 81 81 79 +28
T37. Bill Petrovish 77 82 82 +28
T37. David Goldan 78 84 79 +28
T37. Kelley Gaskill 78 76 87 +28
T37. Robert Pierce 76 78 87 +28
T37. Frederick Jones 78 83 80 +28
T43. Dennis Davis 80 84 78 +29
T43. Charles Lansing 80 79 83 +29
45. Aaron Violett 81 75 87 +30
46. Mark Oja 78 83 83 +31
T47. Ron Askin 81 81 83 +32
T47. Jim Schaible 80 83 82 +32
T47. Hal Seward 84 78 83 +32
T47. Shayne Berry 78 81 86 +32
T47. Daryl Olsen 78 79 88 +32
T52. Steve Maxwell 76 86 84 +33
T52. Brad Colberg 79 81 86 +33
T52. Lee Earhart 82 81 83 +33
T52. Gary Wilson 81 84 81 +33
T56. Charles Jondal 78 86 83 +34
T56. Greg Hart 76 85 86 +34
T56. Bill Hughes 79 79 89 +34
T56. Bob Wagnild 80 82 85 +34
T56. Max Erickson 77 83 87 +34
T61. Scott Molzahn 83 82 83 +35
T61. Tom Rea 77 82 89 +35
T63. Todd Kaiser 82 83 84 +36
Jack Thompson captured the Senior Division of the Montana State Senior Tournament by seven strokes at +25 overall.
T63. Steve Loy 83 87 79 +36
T63. Bryon Mayala 81 81 87 +36 T63. Bill Kingston 82 81 86 +36
T63. Jeff Stoll 77 82 90 +36
T68. Vince DePinto 80 83 87 +37
T68. Ed Hopfauf 87 80 83 +37
T68. Joey Tresnit 82 88 80 +37
71. Justin Schwend 80 87 84 +38
T72. John Dorr 86 84 82 +39
T72. Kem Johnson 83 87 82 +39
T72. Jim Schmid 84 82 86 +39
T72. Mark Van Deusen 81 80 91 +39
T72. Lauren McClurg 79 79 94 +39
T72. Bruce Grendahl 84 80 88 +39
T72. Lyle Wagner 85 89 78 +39
T79. Rick Catron 85 83 85 +40
T79. Michael Blanck 89 85 79 +40
T79. Steve Sarles 77 92 84 +40
T82. Scott Markle 86 81 87 +41
T82. Albert Brown 86 82 86 +41
T82. Chuck Ravetta 83 83 88 +41
T82. Scott Spicer 86 82 86 +41
T86. Bob Alfred 82 88 85 +42
T86. Brett Barker 83 85 87 +42
T86. Chuck Harvey 80 91 84 +42
T86. Brady Selle 87 81 87 +42
T86. James Murphy 80 81 94 +42
T86. Wil Mitchell 82 84 89 +42
T92. Lance Sears 77 92 87 +43
T92. Pete Peterson 82 82 92 +43
T94. Steve Shelly 84 88 85 +44
T94. Mike Miklos 87 89 81 +44
T94. Graham Barnes 88 86 83 +44
T94. Phil Hoover 87 83 87 +44
T94. Carmen Jensen 84 87 86 +44
T99. Jim Spencer 84 84 90 +45
T99. Jeff Blessum 84 88 86 +45
T99. Howard Young 84 85 89 +45
Daniel
Dee Sullivan 84 96
+47 T104. Rich Forbis 83 85 92 +47 T104. Dick O'Leary 86 85 89 +47 T104. Chuck Beagle 86 90
Cliff
T104. Mark Hodges 85 81 94 +47
T104. Dan McLean 80 90 90 +47 T104. Bill Jacobs 84 87 89 +47
T115. Lecil Demarais 87 87
Dave House 87
Gary Moses 86
Bruce
Gary
Chuck Trayer
Mike
T129. Gary McManus 89
Dan Mahoney 92
T131. John Tripp
Alan Powell 87
T137. Mick Mulholland 84 92
T139. Anthony Fleisher 83 89 95 +54
Doug Olson shot 74-76-75 to win the Junior Division of the Montana State Senior Tournament by five strokes at +12 overall.
T139. Dennis Robinson 93 93 81 +54
T139. Craig Thomas 92 85 90 +54
T139. Beau Freund 93 86 88 +54
T139. Steve Peckinpaugh 85 90 92 +54
T144 Chuck Scott 87 88 93 +55
T144. Jeffery Cochrane 91 88 89 +55
T144. Frank Gaul 91 86 91 +55
T147. Jeff Sherrill 86 96 87 +56
T147 Jim Pellegrini 95 90 84 +56
T147. Steve Riveland 86 93 90 +56
T147. Al Hogg 92 88 89 +56
T147. Thomas Sexton 94 89 86 +56
T147. Gayle Thompson 93 88 88 +56
T153. Terry Guptill 92 86 92 +57
T153. Louis Fayant 88 92 90 +57
T155. Mark McGlynn 90 91 90 +58
T155. Dale Huffine 93 85 93 +58
T155. Mike Jones 89 87 95 +58
T155. Gary Ugrin 87 94 90 +58
T159. Ted Lewis 92 88 92 +59
T159. Michael Terrell 85 94 93 +59
T159. Tom Streit 95 87 90 +59
T159. Waxy Wilcox 94 90 88 +59
T159. Lon Peterson 89 90 93 +59
T164. Greg Carpenter 92 87 94 +60
T164. Garth Quade 87 90 96 +60
T164. Mike Evans 90 93 90 +60
T164. Dave Tripp 92 86 95 +60
T164. Jim Brilz 87 91 95 +60
T169. Robert Gibson 90 98 86 +61
T169. Bruce Clark 95 90 89 +61
T169. Mike Davison 85 101 88 +61
T169. Michael Johnson 94 92 88 +61
T169. Jerry Lytle 92 86 96 +61
T169. Michael Combs 87 91 96 +61
T175. Bill Hilsendeger 93 96 86 +62
T175. Randy Rennick 90 93 92 +62
T175. John Walsh 90 93 92 +62
T178. Jim Duwe 92 88 96 +63
T178. Jim Rutherford 94 95 87 +63
T178. Gary Peterson 91 88 97 +63
T178. Steve Johnson 92 91 93 +63
T178. Gerald Rivinius 91 91 94 +63
T183. David Fraser 92 94 92 +65
T183. Rick Bennett 97 90 91 +65
T183. Parris Pewonka 96 82 100 +65
T183. Frank Williams 85 96 97 +65
T187. Stan Stanhope 91 92 96 +66
T187. Pat Darbro 106 85 88 +66
T187. Ed Flesch 88 92 99 +66
T187. Joe Cardin 103 91 85 +66
T191. Russ McClellan 90 104 86 +67
T191. Dennis Dietrich 91 93 96 +67
T191. Jerry Gardner 96 90 94 +67
Dave Peterson 93 95
+68
Dave Myers 91 91 99 +68 T194. Gary Snyder 95 92 94 +68 197. Shane Field 97 93 92 +69 198. Glenn Govertsen 95 92 96
T203. Steve Solberg 98 98
Tim Mooney 98
Edward Venetz 96 94
T203. John Arrasmith 103 94 89 +73
Mike Cochrane
John
T211. Jim Ouren
T211. Vern Spackman
Larry
T215. Dan Runyan 102 88 98 +75 T215. John Kelly 103 90 95 +75
T215. Bill Langford 99 89 100 +75
T215. Cal Wirtzberger 100 92 96 +75
T219. David Wheeler 99 94 96 +76
T219. Dex Tank 96 96 97 +76
T221. Steve Corn 95 93 102 +77
T221. Joel Leite 97 95 98 +77
T221. Glenn Stokken 97 94 99 +77
T221. Dennis Marlow 102 95 93 +77
T225. D. Bartholomew 94 96 101 +78
T225. Randy L Frank 96 100 95 +78
227. Patrick Gunderson 95 98 99 +79
T228. Gene Bohleen 100 96 97 +80
T228. Craig Torgrimson 95 101 97 +80
T228. Michael Cary 105 95 93 +80
T228. Joe Benski 97 99 97 +80
232. David Saslav 103 96 96 +82
T233. Richard Adamson 88 107 102 +84
T233. Dean Sorensen 96 103 98 +84
T233. Mike Peterson 93 93 111 +84
T233. Rod Archambeault 104 92 101 +84
T233. John Hoffman 103 96 98 +84
T233. John Hinshaw 101 96 100 +84
239. Mike Bohleen
James Ouellette
243, Gary Askin 98
T244. Ross Drishinski 96
T244. Peter Scott 100 101 101 +89
Bill Spear
Art Pembroke
Ron Fischer
Gene Walsh squeezed out a win in the Sophomore Division of the Montana State Senior Tournament by a shot at +9 overall.
2024 MONTANA
WOMEN'S
STATE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Butte Country Club
Butte | July 28-30, 2024
WOMEN'S STATE AMATEUR
Player
1. Lauren Greeny 74 75 69 +5
T2. Macee Greenwood 74 80 75 +16
T2. Kylie Franklin 76 77 76 +16
T4. Scarlet Weidig 82 78 71 +18
T4. Hannah Ports 76 76 79 +18
T6. Elle Higgins 81 81 71 +20
T6. Emma Woods 81 78 74 +20
8. Raina Ports 79 79 78 +23
T9. Kate Bogenschutz 82 83 73 +25
T9. Hanna Boyd 80 81 77 +25
11. Kadence Fischer 81 81 77 +26
12. Jordan Briggs 85 81 75 +28
13. Kyla Lien 84 84 81 +36
T14. Katie Wills 85 89 77 +38
T14. Kodie Hoagland 86 84 81 +38
T14. Sydney Rochford 83 84 84 +38
17. BreAnna Cameron 89 84 79 +39
18. Alivia Webinger 80 88 85 +40
19. Samantha Yates 84 86 84 +41
20. Hayden Trost 94 83 79 +43
21. Franchi Ceartin 87 86 84 +44
22. Anna Stensrud 88 95 82 +52
T23. Haylee Adams 92 85 91 +55
T23. Sam Guymon 93 84 91 +55
25. Camille Poncin 88 94 89 +58
26. Casha Corder 89 99 84 +59
27.
28. Lev Heaney 86 93 98 +64
29. Annika Brocklebank 100 93 85 +65
30. Megan Voegele 94 94 92 +67
31. Ryann Walker 96 94 93 +70
32. Lindsay Cook 96 96 92 +71
33. Olivia McGreevey 105 93 91 +76
34. Zoie Ceartin 100 97 96 +80
T35. Quincy Weymouth 95
T35.
Lauren Greeny shot 74-75-69 to finish +5 overall at the Women's State Amateur, good for an 11-shot win - her second State Am in a row.
WOMEN'S MID-AMATEUR
WOMEN'S STATE SENIOR
Darah Newell Smith's three straight rounds in the 70's secured the Women's Mid-Amateur Championship by 10 strokes over Jackie Mee.
Great Falls High's Hannah Boyd finished T-9 at +25 overall, earning the Carla Berg Award as the low junior player in the field.
19.
2024 MONTANA
MEN'S STATE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Laurel Golf Club
Laurel | July 18-20, 2024
MEN'S STATE AMATEUR
Missoula's Jo Smith won her fourth Montana State Senior Amateur, a record now held by the MSGA Hall of Famer.
9. Riley Kaercher 69 79 70 +2
10. Samuel Berry 73 72 76 +5
T11. Nicholas Balcken 75 75 72 +6
T11. Zach Brehm 76 73 73 +6
T13. Blake Reifsnyder 74 79 70 +7
T13. Brady Powell 72 74 77 +7
T15. Cash Golden 74 77 74 +9
T15. Landon Olson 78 76 71 +9
T15. Billy Smith 74 78 73 +9
T15. Boston Murdoch 70 78 77 +9
T19. Dorn Brown 78 75 73 +10
T19. Palmer Coleman 72 77 77 +10
T19. Jake McKinney 77 75 74 +10
T19. Blake Finn 76 76 74 +10
T23. Bobby Anderson 76 75 77 +12
T23. Joe Opitz 78 76 74 +12
T23. Marcus Drange 76 78 74 +12
T23. William Kendrick 76 77 75 +12
T23. Gavin Klein 74 79 75 +12
T23. Joe McGreevey 76 74 78 +12
T23. Carson Hupka 75 73 80 +12
32. Maxwell Milton 76 79 74 +13
33. Parker Jones 74 75 81 +14
T34.
T37. Austin Zopfi 78 79 76 +17 T37. Colin Jensen 75 77 81 +17
T39. Tyler Avery 76 82 76 +18
T41. Tye Boone 79 76 80 +19
T45. Ryan Linnell
T50. Benji Crippen 80 79 78 +21
T50. Nick Pasquarello 80 77 80 +21
T50. Tanner Hanson 77 80 80 +21
T54. Ramey Lloyd 77 83 78 +22
T54. Jarek Shepherd 79 81 78 +22
T54. Barron Culver 73 83 82 +22
T54. Sawyer Gentry 77 88
T58. Tyce O'Connell 79 83
T58. Josh Waldo 79 82 78 +23
T58. Hudson Goroski 82 80 77 +23
T61. J.R. Higbee 79 82 79 +24
T61. Caleb Fornshell 82 80 78 +24
T61. Tanner Cromwell 82 76 82 +24
T61. James Russell 82 81 77 +24
T65. Torren Murray 82 77 82 +25
T65. Gabriel Shepard 81 81 79 +25
T67. Garrett Irene 77 82 84 +27
Liam Clancy kisses his trophy after a four-hole playoff win over Nathan Baily at the Men's State Amateur Championship.
T67. Kyle Kennah 81 79 83 +27
T67. Jack Schaefer 77 86 80 +27
T67. Houston Dunn 88 76 79 +27
T71. Chase Choquette 89 76 79 +28
T71. Eli Groshelle 81 85 78 +28
73. William Conat 81 79 85 +29
T74. Dylan Osterhout 78 84 84 +30
T74. Tyler Welter 77 83 86 +30
T74. Gage Grevious 85 79 82 +30
T77. Justin Turbeville 87 77 83 +31
T77. Matt Cords 85 78 84 +31
T79. Liam Higgins 87 80 81 +32
T79. Reece Mayala 82 81 85 +32
T79. Colin Wade 84 80 84 +32
82. Andrew Fillmore 83 84 82 +33
83. Alexander Brester 81 82 89 +36
T84. David Bickerstaff 88 86 82 +40
T84. Trey Engellant 82 90 84 +40
T86. Eric Holden 88 83 86 +41
T86. David Ramshaw 86 85 86 +41
T86. Toby Dinges 87 83 87 +41
89. Brenner Booth 83 85 90 +42
T90. Jacob Richards 89 90 81 +44
T90. Vann Gravage 87 91 82 +44
T90. Matt Gruener 81 88 91 +44
T93. Trae Dolan 85 90 86 +45
T93. Lance Carl 83 92 86 +45
95. Cassidy Degele 86 96 80 +46
96. Louis Bury 88 87 88 +47
T97. Austin Dorr 91 86 87 +48
T97. Taylor Bickerstaff 84 90 90 +48
T99. Kaiden Alexander 89 93 83 +49
T99. Dallas Schedel 88 87 90 +49
101. Sean Harris 88 90 88 +50
T102. Scott Carlson 89 88 90 +51
T102. Jackson Eckley 89 87 91 +51
T104. Luke Nelson 91 89 88 +52
T104. Justin Sullivan 89 89 90 +52
106. Dylan Ahlgren 92 87 90 +53
T107. R.B. McCollum 93 89 88 +54
T107. Ryan Lorenz 88 86 96 +54
109. Daniel Tedlund 94 88 89 +55
110. Scott Poniewaz 93 93 87 +57
111. Dennis Ahlgren 91 98 87 +60
112. Troy Solheim 94 97 91 +66
113. Zach Sawyer 99 96 88 +67
114. Ashton Grewell 96 91 100 +71
115. Geoff Groshelle 111 89 102 +86
MEN'S SENIOR AMATEUR
Billings' Jerry Pearsall outlasted the Men's Senior Amateur field to claim a four-shot win over Bill Dunn at Laurel Golf Club.
T4. Todd Sisson 75 79 74 +12
T4. Mike Follett 74 75 79 +12
6. Paul Uithoven 77 78 75 +14
7. Timothy Garden 72 80 79 +15
8. Ron Ramsbacher 80 81 73 +18
9. Mark Luce 79 78 79 +20
10. Jon Yousko 80 79 78 +21
11. Marshall Bettendorf 81 79 78 +22
T12. Andy Huppert 82 76 82 +24
T12. Jim O'Neil 83 76 81 +24
15. Joe Cielak 78 85 80 +27
T16. Mark Van Deusen 80 80 85 +29
T16. Bill Leach 83 77 85 +29
T18. Robert Pierce 82 87 80 +33
T18. Bryon Mayala 81 86 82 +33
20. Peter Benson 85 81 90 +40
21. Sheldon Degele 85 84 95 +48 22. Scott Spicer 94 91
SUPER SENIOR AMATEUR
5. Cal Stacey 83 84 74 +25
6. Jeff Allen 77 83 82 +26
7. Lou Bahin 79 83 83 +29
8. Shayne Berry 80 84 82 +30
9. Bruce Scott 85 79 82 +30
10.
16. Bill Petrovish 100 89 90 +63
17. Lon Peterson 107 90 93 +74
Stevensville's Cory Bedell won his third MSGA Super Senior Amateur title in four years, winning by two strokes at Laurel Golf Club.
MONTANA GOLFERS BATTLE IN JUNIOR AMERICA'S CUP
BY CORA ROSANOVA USGA P.J. BOATWRIGHT, JR., INTERN
The Boys' and Girls' Junior America’s Cup Golf Tournaments made history this year by competing together for the first time at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway, Utah, for the tournament's 52nd running. Montana was proudly represented in both fields, showcasing the state’s commitment to junior golf excellence at the national level.
Boys Junior America’s Cup:
Founded in 1973, the Boys Junior America’s Cup has been a prestigious event in the world of junior golf, with Montana joining the ranks in 1976. This year, Montana’s team was led by co-captains Joe Rossman (Belgrade) and Ron Ramsbacher (Missoula), who led team members Kade McDonough (Missoula), Tye Boone (Billings), Brady Powell (Pinesdale), and Max Milton (Polson).
Montana’s boys team finished in 12th place, marking their highest finish since 2018 when they also placed 12th at Fairmont Golf Course in Montana. The team’s performance was solid, with the following individual results:
• T28 Kade McDonough: +5
• T32 Tye Boone: +7
• T59 Max Milton: +16
• 70 Brady Powell: +24
The total score for Team Montana was +20. Their consistent effort and competitive spirit were commendable, and they will look forward to building on this performance at next year's event in Oregon.
Girls Junior Americas Cup:
Established in 1978, the Girls Junior America's Cup has become a premier competition for young female golfers across North America and the western region of the U.S. This year, Montana’s team was led by captains Anna Demars (Helena) and Hannah Rosanova (Bozeman), who guided team members Bella Johnson (Billings), Kenzie Walsh (Billings), Katie Lewis (Frenchtown) and Ashley Maki (Polson).
Montana’s girls team finished in 14th place with a total score of +47 overall after three rounds. Individually, Montana had the following players on the leaderboard:
• T34 Kenzie Walsh: +12
• T41 Bella Johnson: +15
• T49 Katie Lewis: +20
• T66 Ashley Maki: +39
The next Girls Junior America's Cup will be held at the Westin Kierland Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., in 2025. Montana’s young female golfers have shown great promise and will aim to improve upon this fantastic experience for future success.
WILDERNESS CLUB HOSTS 2024 ALBERTA CUP
BY NICK DIETZEN MSGA Executive Director
The 2024 Montana/Alberta Junior Ryder Cup Matches were contested at the Wilderness Club in Eureka on August 7-8. The annual event rotates between Montana and Alberta. Each team fields a team of 12 players with six boys and six girls.
There are two competitions with the boys squaring off and the girls as well. In 2023, the Montana boys were victorious and the Alberta girls won.
This year, representing Montana on the boys side were: John Gilbert (Helena), Colin Jensen (Billings), Jack Schaefer (Missoula), Isaac Mosser (Billings), Sam Engellant (Kalispell) and Sam Norman (Laurel).
On the girls side, Cameron Burnett (Ham-
ilton), Anna Lende (Livingston), Hannah Boyd (Great Falls), Keni Wade (Bigfork), Anna Stensrud (Missoula) and Casha Corder (Fort Benton) represented the girls.
Day one featured four ball (best ball) and foursomes matches (alternate shot) with each match 18 holes. The boys were down three points (10.5 to 7.5) and the girls were down nine (13.5 to 4.5).
Day two saw individual matches with two points each. The boys attempted to rally, but fell short 13 to 11 for a total of 26.5 to 15.5 tally. The girls won the day with a 14 to 10 edge to narrow the total to 23.5 to 18.5.
Congratulations to Team Alberta for securing both trophies for 2024. The Montana team is eager to make the trip next year and attempt to bring the hardware back across the border!
2024 JUNIOR
AMERICAS CUP
Soldier Hollow GC - Gold
Midway, UT | July 30 - August 1
BOYS
INDIVIDUAL
1. Matthew Diehl 69 66 70 -11
2. Ethan Schwan 71 69 69 -7
T3. Connor Herrera 69 71 72 -4
T3. Jennings Oelke 74 69 69 -4
T5. Walker Lamb 76 69 68 -3
T5. Carter Papke 73 69 71 -3
The Montana Junior America's Cup Boys' Team (l-r): Max Milton, Brady Powell, Tye Boone, Coach Joe Rossman, Kade McDonough and Coach Ron Ramsbacher. Montana finished tied for 12th place out of 18 teams, at +20 overall after three rounds of play.
T22. Beau Sahr 73 75 72 +4
T22. Austin Krahn 79 68 73 +4
T22. Charlie Gillespie 76 71 73 +4
T28. Baron Nguyen 76 70 75 +5
T28. Kade McDonough 76 68 77 +5
T30. Ash Edwards 77 72 73 +6
T30. Ayden Fynaut 76 77 69 +6
T32. P.V. Casas 80 72 71 +7
T32. Tye Boone 77 72 74 +7
T32. Grady Cox 80 72 71 +7
T35. Ty Smock 73 73 78 +8
T35. Jacob Kang 81 71 72 +8
T35. Clark Sonnenbeg 76 73 75 +8
T35. Daniel Morgado 75 72 77 +8
T39. Lance Loughton 78 68 79 +9
T39. Jacob Burnett 74 75 76 +9
T39. Bridger Johnson 77 76 72 +9
T42. Tyler Leedom 80 75 71 +10
T42. Grant McCleskey 78 70 78 +10
T44. Gavin Amella 77 77 73 +11
T44. Brae Rogalczyk 79 73 75 +11
T44. Adam Croix 73 77 77 +11
T44. Ethan Butters 76 75 76 +11
T44. Jake Yrene 78 70 79 +11
T49. Tyler Long 77 72 79 +12
T49. Eli Marshall 78 75 75 +12
T51. Jordan Giles 74 77 78 +13
T51. Louis Chun 82 71 76 +13
T53. Austin Barry 77 74 79 +14
T53. Francisco Solorza 76 76 78 +14
T53. James Fujita 76 77 77 +14
T53. Keola Silva 78 79 73 +14
T57. Brasen Briones 83 74 74 +15
T57. Cameron Kuchar 81 78 72 +15
T59. Max Milton 81 73 78 +16
T59. Ryan Pupach 74 78 80 +16
T59. Reid Hoppock 88 73
T59. Lucas Summerhays 79 77
T59. Lucas Gonzalez 81 76
T65. Tate Nichols 82 77 75 +18
T65. Andres Manllo 79 80 75 +18
T67. Jacobus Brakkee 82 74 81 +21
T67. Luke Swanson 79 80 78 +21
69. Troy Gadalla 82 78 78 +22
70. Brady Powell 87 83 70 +24
71. Jaden August 87 79 77 +27
72. Zachary Petersen 86 81 77 +28
TEAM
Mexico Red 227 220 223 +22
15. Northern California 224 226 225 +27
16. British Columbia 243 217 226 +38 17. Hawaii 233 229 226 +40
GIRLS
INDIVIDUAL
Pos. Player
T1. Regina Roldan 74 68 69 -5
T1. Melinee Udom 67 73 71 -5
T1. Jasmine Wong 74 68 69 -5
T4. Kaitlyn Helm 70 69 73 -4
T4. Alexis Lamadrid 75 69 68 -4
6. Kandice Chuang 71 69 73 -3
7. Katelyn Kong 72 71 72 -1
8. Amber Li 74 74 68 E
T9. Clairey Lin 74 71 73 +2
T9. Sabrina Sun 76 71 71 +2
T11. M. Saysanasongham 74 70 75 +3
T11. Addison Hines 74 73 72 +3
T13. Tatum Otto 75 70 75 +4
T13. Alexis Vakasiuola 68 73 79 +4
T13. Niuniu Zhao 74 72 74 +4
T13. Lena Durette 72 76 72 +4
T13. Kali Yeske 70 74 76 +4
18. Annie Yost 76 73 72 +5
T19. Valeria Melo 79 72 71 +6
T19. Kady Matsumoto 79 70 73 +6
T21. Ana Lucia Trevino 77 71 75 +7
T21. Kate Ly 75 73 75 +7
T21. Saydie Wagner 76 73 74 +7
T21. Erika Cook 73 75 75 +7
25. Ashley Lam 79 71 74 +8
T26. Sophia Fujita 77 73 75 +9
T26. Ashleigh Wilson 79 72 74 +9
28. Hadley Ashton 75 76 75 +10
T29. Miren Ontanon 80 72 75 +11
T29. Saylar
T29.
T29. Ariya Soldwisch
T29. Chloe Ku
T34. Charlize Peterson 78 76 74 +12
T34. Sydney Bisgrove 78 75 75 +12
T34. Kenzie Walsh 75 75 78 +12
37. Nya Palmer 74 77 78 +13
T38. Amanda Peng 75 79 76 +14
T38. Jacey Kage 78 77
T38. Ella Rawson 77 77
Kate
T41. Bella Johnson 77 75 79 +15
T43. Erika Kobayashi 79 76 77 +16
T43. Savannah Van Gaalen 82 74 76 +16
T43. Olivia Johnson 82 73 77 +16
46. Calia Ward 78 74 81 +17
47. Brenna Higgins 77 78 79 +18
48. Olivia Zamarripa 82 76 77 +19
T49. Katie Lewis 83 77 76 +20
T49. Sparrow Pierzina 80 75
T49. Pepper Chai 80 77
T52. Aadyn
T52. Adeline Truong 81
54. Giana Zinke 82 76
55. Ella Arnzen 79 81 80 +24
T56. Tessa Ion 75 81 85 +25
T56. Arianna Bell 79 82 80 +25
T56. Emmerson Hinds 84 77 80 +25
T59. Ashley Ding 81 78 83 +26
T59. Chelsie Ji 82 76 84 +26
T59. Coryn Tardif 80 83 79 +26
T62. Francesca Tomp 88 81 76 +29
T62. Amara Montoya 90 76 79 +29
T62. Tanli Lemoyne 83 85 77 +29
65. Mallory Higham 82 83 81 +30
T66. Ashley Maki 86 84 85 +39
T66. Indie Taylor 88. 82 85 +39
68. Shelbi Gardner 86 88 83 +41
T69. Lily Nichols 93 80 86 +43
T69. Charlie Duchnij 88 83 88 +43
71. Kalli Locklin 85 81 94 +44
72. Jordyn Horsely 94 88 86 +52
The Montana Girls' Junior America's Cup Team (l-r): Ashley Maki, Kenzie Walsh, Bella Johnson and Katie Lewis. Montana finished tied for 14th place out of 18 teams, at +47 overall after three rounds of play.
RYGGS JOHNSTON: A JOURNEY ON THE PGA TOUR AMERICAS
BY CORA ROSANOVA USGA P.J. BOATWRIGHT, JR., INTERN
Ryggs Johnston's journey on the PGA TOUR Americas has been one of notable progress and perseverance. Despite facing challenges like unpredictable weather, the Libby native has shown determination and skill in his performances across various events.
Recent Performances
Johnston’s recent tournaments in East Canada have been affected by heavy rain and adverse conditions. At the Commissionaires Ottawa Open, held at Eagle Creek Golf Club, he finished tied for 56th place.
The Explore NB Open, hosted at Mactaquac Golf Course in New Brunswick, saw a similar challenge with weather-related disruptions. The final round was canceled due to rain, so Johnston’s performance was based on just the first three rounds, placing him in a tie for 49th.
Upcoming Tournaments
Looking ahead, the former Arizona State Sun Devil All-American has some key events on his schedule:
- Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open Presented by Lake Country Co-Op: Scheduled for August 15-18. This tournament will provide a fresh opportunity for Johnston to showcase his skills in a new setting.
- CRMC Championship Presented by Gertens: Set to take place in Brainerd, Minnesota from August 29 - September 1. This event will round out the latter part of his tournament season, offering another chance to make a strong impression.
The Montana State Golf Association wishes Johnston good luck as he represents the Treasure State on national and international stages. We will be rooting for him from home!
JOEY MOORE PLAYS IN THE COLORADO AND TEXAS STATE OPENS
BY TY SPARING MSGA COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Billings’ Joey Moore has kept himself busy this summer, earning money at both the Colorado Open and the Texas State Open. Shortly after winning the 2023 Montana State Amateur title for the second time, Moore turned pro and since then has represented Montana well at some big events around the country.
On July 16 Moore qualified for the 60th Colorado Open, and less than ten days later found himself in Denver competing for a spot in the top ten. Held at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, the Colorado Open was a 72-hole stroke play event, with a cut after 36 holes that reduced the field from 144 golfers to 71.
Moore had his hands full with a very competitive group of golfers aiming to get a piece of the $250,000 purse. Among others, playing in the Colorado Open was the 2001 British Open champion David Duval as well as Michael Block, the club pro that became famous in 2023 after hitting a hole-in-one during the final round that helped him finish in 15th place at the PGA Championship. That didn’t faze the Billings West graduate however, as after a solid four rounds of play, Moore finished in a tie for 14th place at -12 overall, just one stroke away from cracking the top ten. He had started the fourth round in 26th place but shot up the leaderboard after posting a -4 (67) that included an eagle and four birdies. Throughout the entire tournament Moore was fifth with the most birdies carded at 21.
For his efforts Moore earned $2,900. The winner, Davis Bryant from Aurora, Colo., finished at -19 and took home $100,000. Michael Block meanwhile finished in 39th place at -6, and David Duval missed the cut.
For full results of the Colorado Open, CLICK HERE.
Joey Moore’s next big event was at the Texas State Open, a tournament with past champions such as Ben Crenshaw and Lee Trevino. It was held July 30-August 2 at the Cascades Country Club in Tyler, Tex., and consisted of 156 amateur and professional golfers. Like with the Colorado Open, players had to qualify at one of eighteen different sites around the region. Moore finished first back in June at the Southern Oaks Golf & Tennis Club qualifier in Fort Worth.
At the Texas State Open players were competing for a purse of over $200,000, with a cut after 36 holes, which reduced the field to 61. Moore got off to a good start with a first round of -5 (65) that featured eight birdies and left him in 13th place going into the second day. Another solid round of -2 (68) kept Moore well within the cutline and guaranteed a paycheck. The next two rounds Moore finished at +1 (71) and even par which put him at -6 overall and in a tie for 33rd place when all was said and done. His performance earned him $965.
Tanner Napier out of Paris, Tex., won the event and took home $40,000.
For full results of the Texas State Open, CLICK HERE
THE MONTANA STATE MEN’S MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP: 30, 20 AND 10 YEARS AGO
BY TY SPARING MSGA COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
30 YEARS AGO
In 1994 Great Falls’ Frank Bell led wire-towire and won the Mid-Amateur by 12 strokes. Playing at the Riverside Country Club in Bozeman, it was the first year Bell was able to compete, back when the event was for golfers aged 30 and over. Bell’s win capped off an incredible summer for men’s Great Falls golfers, as the electric city captured just about every major tournament that summer. Kelly Gilligan won the State-Amateur and the Oilfield Tournament, Gene Cook won State Senior’s, Brett Bennyhoff won the 4th of July Tournament, and then Bell finished out the year with a MidAm victory.
20 YEARS AGO
In 2004 Helena’s John Reeves made one of the most remarkable putts in State Tournament history, winning the event after sinking a 40-foot shot from the fringe of Butte Country Club’s 18th hole. In front of a crowd of 100-plus spectators, the putt gave Reeves the lead and the victory over a stunned Parker Heller. As Montana Standard writer Bill Foley wrote at the time, “Just two putting from where Reeves was would have been impressive
enough. The pin was in the front left of the sloping green. Hitting the ball slightly past the cup could have resulted in the ball rolling down the hill some 20 feet off the green – possibly into a sand trap.”
Afterwards a surprised Reeves commented, “I was just trying to get it in there close, I wasn’t expecting it to go in.”
10 YEARS AGO
Helena’s Parker Heller waited ten years for a bit of Mid-Am redemption. Heller lost the 2004 event at the Butte Country Club after John Reeves made what many thought was an impossible putt from the fringe of the 18th hole. When the tournament made its way back to Butte in 2014, Heller was more
determined than ever to get back to Helena with the trophy in hand. It showed too as he led all three rounds and won by four strokes over Spencer Williams and Jim Coleman. Afterwards a relieved Heller told the Montana Standard, “I’m an emotional wreck, I’ve had this with me for 10 years. John Reeves made a great shot on the last hole to beat me.”
The Butte Country Club was a fitting course for Heller to achieve his first Montana State Tournament victory, a site where ten years previously he experienced one of the hardest losses in his golfing career. There was no stopping him in 2014 however, and when it was all over a reflective Heller said, “I’ve won a lot of tournaments, but I would trade them all away for this one.”
Who knows what the 2024 Montana State Men’s Mid-Amateur holds, but it’s likely to be an exciting three rounds of competitive golf amongst some of the state’s very best. This year’s event is held at the Ranch Club, August 15-17. If you’d like to follow an updated leaderboard throughout the event and root for your favorite Montana golfers, we will have that posted on our website, or it can be accessed on the Golf Genius App via GGID: 24MSGAMIDAM.
Billings Gazette
Independent Record
MY BOATWRIGHT EXPERIENCE
BY JOSH AUSTIN USGA P.J. BOATWRIGHT, JR., INTERN
Being a P.J. Boatwright Jr. Intern with the MSGA over the past three months has been an amazing experience! My goal throughout this summer was to develop a better understanding of golf from an administrative aspect. I was able to do that and much more during my time here in Montana.
I started off the season by traveling to Liberty Station, New Jersey, for a nationwide internship summit at the USGA Headquarters. There, I learned about GHIN (Golf Handicap Information Network), course rating, championship administration and much more.
What I learned during this trip set me up
well for the many MSGA events that I would work. I was fortunate enough to work two senior tour events, the State Match Play Championship, State Juniors, both Men’s and Women’s Amateurs, and the State Senior Tournament. These events were spread out all over the state, so I was able to see a variety of great golf courses, and great golfers as well. The tournament days were long, but so much fun to be a part of!
A big thank you to Executive Director Nick Dietzen, Operations Manager Michael Williams, Tournament Direcor Tim Bakker, fellow Boatwright Interns Jess Miller and Cora Rosanova, our numerous volunteers, and everyone I got to know during this internship. This has been the best job I’ve had, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity!
DRIVE, CHIP, AND PUTT AT CANYON RIVER GOLF COURSE
BY TY SPARING MSGA COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
The Canyon River Golf Course hosted a Drive, Chip, and Putt event held July 20th. Youth golfers made their way to Missoula for a chance to test their skills and perhaps move on to the next stage of qualifying.
Boys and girls between the ages of 7-15 were put into four divisions based on age: 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15. They then had three shots for each skill, nine total, in which certain marks needed to be hit in order to accumulate points. Whoever had the most at the end was determined the winner.
This was a local qualifying event, which is the first in a series of local, subregional and regional competitions that determines who goes on to the National Finals to be held next April 2025 at the Augusta National Golf Club
in Georgia. At Canyon River, three participants in each age/gender group qualified to move on to the subregional event that will be held August 31 at the Circling Raven Golf Club in Worley, Idaho.
Overall winners for girls included: Missoula’s Harper Hedges in the 7-9 division, Hayden, Idaho’s Sophie Fortin in the 10-11 division, Edmonton’s Brooke Halbauer in the 12-13 division, and Hamilton’s Cameron Burnett in the 14-15 division.
Overall winners for boys included: Calgary’s Naeem Fazel in the 7-9 division, Hamilton’s Jack Burnett in the 10-11 division, Missoula’s Rylan Marquesen in the 12-13 division, and Hayden’s Hunter Paquin in the 14-15 division.
Congratulations to all those who qualified! For full results of the Canyon River event, CLICK HERE.
