ON THE FIRST TEE...
With Nick Dietzen
One of the many stories I learned in my first year on the job was that the third week in July was recognized as the best week for weather in Montana and thus, that’s about when the State Amateur would be played.
The MSGA has not been able to adhere to that strict schedule over time, but the weather forecast is suggesting a heat wave across Montana for the remainder of July. This month, we will conduct both the Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships.
107 times each event has been conducted and this year we are excited for both. Laurel Golf Club (Men’s) hosts for the seventh time and boasting a new clubhouse, Laurel is renowned as one of the more challenging courses in the state when it’s fast and firm (think summer heat wave). Butte Country Club (Women’s), which owns the most historic pages in the association’s history will host the Women’s event for the first time in 30 years and features challenging greens, requiring a deft short game.
2023 Montana State Amateur Champion Joey Moore. (Photo: Paul Johns)
All of our championships require significant planning, and you might be surprised to the intricate level of work in advance to make a threeround event come to life.
Beginning last fall, site selections gave way to preparation on field sizes, entry requirements and numerous administrative duties. That’s just the start! Finding dates for courses that do not conflict with the host course calendar of events plus not conflicting with other MSGA championships can prove difficult. We are fortunate to offer some locations and course varieties this season.
Led by our Tournament Director, Tim Bakker, our staff have been in consistent contact with host staffs to not only discuss logistics, but for course setup needs, securing hotel arrangements and options for players. Volunteer coordination is still in the early stages as the MSGA is working to build a corps of interested golfers who enjoy giving back to the game and being around high-level amateur golf.
Board committees participae in tournament reviews, constructing policies and looking to improve our events.Staff contacts players, helps with registration, secures trophies, tee prizes and works with committees to build social events at the championships to add further dimension to the preparation side. Historical research, communicating to local media and developing programs for the tournament provides another avenue for staff to bring life to the event.
Packing, re-packing and checklists are the name of the game in the weeks leading up to the event. With a state as sizable as Montana,
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
Graphic Designer............................................... Katie Fagg
Montana State Golf Association P.O. Box 4306 Helena, MT 59604
1 (800) 628-3752 www.msgagolf.org
our staff is coordinating efficient travel options for not only our staff, but the equipment (think printers, coolers, signage, tee prizes) to reach its destination.
All the while, other events are staggered and require work to adhere to the multiple timelines. A big thanks goes out to the team and our board for contributing to the planning and execution of our events.
If we’re coming to a town near you, come by and say hi. You can see that volunteering isn’t so scary and also watch some tremendous golf played by Montanans.
As much of the team hits the road in the coming weeks, we hope that you are staying hydrated, playing as much golf as the sched-
ule allows and are as excited to celebrate the run of four championship events and multiple junior team events before Labor Day.
Despite mixing metaphors the golf season is more of a sprint than a marathon, it’s incredible to me that it’s time for the State Amateurs, I, like most Montana Golfers relish the fact that we’re in the race… although I’ll be walking and assuredly in comfortable shoes.
See you on the tee.
2023 Montana Women's State Amateur Champion Lauren Greeny poses with her trophy, while MSGA Executive Director Nick Dietzen helps show off the rest of her hardware for winning the state's most prestigious amateur event.
58TH ANNUAL MONTANA STATE JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY NICK DIETZEN MSGA Executive Director
Polson Bay Golf Course hosted the 58th Montana State Junior Golf Championships, with the first such edition including three rounds of play. Junior golfers who advanced to day three were eligible to earn World Am-
ateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) Points and compete for spots on two junior team cups later this summer.
Rounds one and two were played at Polson Bay’s 18-hole course and round three was played on the Olde Nine course with players playing it twice. The sun even emerged after
Katie Lewis repeated as the girls’ champion with a final three-round score of 232 (80-74-78), good for +16 overall.
the first two rounds were heavily influenced by rain, wind and cloud cover. The third round provided a nice reprieve from the rain-soaked early rounds. In the end, Frenchtown’s star golfer Katie Lewis managed to defend her girls title, while Billings Skyview’s Class AA Champion Tye Boone secured the boys title.
Katie Lewis continued her winning ways, repeating as the overall girls’ champion with a final three-round score of 232 (80-74-78) which put her at +16. The two-time Class A State Girls Champion is now also the two-time Montana State Junior’s titlist, a rare feat that’s been achieved three times in the last 25 years (Teigan Avery 2014-15, Maggie Crippen 201112). Coming back for a senior year, Lewis, has a chance to be the first girl to ever win three straight High School titles and three straight Montana State Junior Championships.
More impressive still is that Lewis contin-
ues to win while being surrounded by a very talented class of golfers. Bella Johnson finished in second place at +20, with a three-day score of 236 (79-80-77). Her third round of 77 was the best individual performance of the day, helped in part by notching four birdies in the final 10 holes. Johnson, who twice won the Class AA championship while golfing for Billings West and is off to the University of Montana where she will compete for the Grizzlies golf team.
Polson’s Ashley Maki and Billings’ Kenzie Walsh finished tied for third at +29. Maki, who was part of a Class A team championship with Polson last fall, made a birdie on hole 18 to stay tied with Walsh. Maki will play her golf at Whitworth University next fall. Walsh meanwhile qualifies for the Girls Junior Americas Cup for the third year in a row, and she will take her talents to Western Washington University this fall. In fifth place was Great Falls’
Billings Skyview’s Tye Boone overcame a strong field of contenders, shooting 71-72-70 over three days to win by ywo strokes.
All-State golfer, Hanna Boyd, who finished at +33 over the three rounds.
Billings Skyview’s Tye Boone had his work cut out for him in attempting to overcome a strong field of contenders. Coming into the third round just a stroke back of first place, Boone fired a two-under-round of 70, which was his best single round score of the week and enough to give him the title by two strokes. After bogeying holes 5 and 7, Boone played mistake-free golf the rest of the way. He was helped by four birdies overall (holes 4, 10, 12, & 15), with three coming in the final nine holes. His final three-day score was 213 (7172-70). The reigning Class AA champion is now the Montana State Junior Champion as well.
Coming in second place was Pinesdale’s Brady Powell, who shot up the leaderboard after finishing the round with a 68 (-4). Aside from a bogey on hole eight, Powell played flawless golf with five birdies (holes 6, 10, 13, 15, 18) and the rest were pars. Coming into the day in sixth place at +3, Powell ended the tournament at -1 with a total score of 215 (7275-68). Polson phenom, Max Milton, finished in third place at even par, just a stroke back of Powell. He had two birdies on the day (holes 2 & 9). Milton, who is 14 and will be going into
his freshman season this fall, will no doubt be a common name on these junior leaderboards for years to come. Following Milton was Missoula’s Kade McDonough who finished in fourth place at +3. McDonough has collected numerous MSGA awards and titles over the years and will soon be off golfing for the University of Utah. McDonough recently captured the Montana State Match Play Championship for the second time in a row.
Rounding out the top five was a tie between Missoula’s Jack Schaefer and Helena’s John Gilbert at +4. Schaefer had the lowest round of the tournament at 67 (-5). He came into the day in 13th place at +9, but with eight birdies over the round (holes 1, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18) he rose all the way to up to fifth. Gilbert finished the day at 76, capping off a strong three-day performance for the incoming sophomore out of Capital High School in Helena.
The top four boys and girls ages 14-18 will represent Montana in the Junior Americas Cups in Midway, Utah July 28-August 1.
Note: An updated leaderboard and additional photos can be found ONLINE as well as through the Golf Genius App, by inserting the GGID: 24MSGAJR.
Polson Bay Golf Course
The Montana Junior America's Cup Boys' Team (l-r): Max Milton, Kade McDonough, Brady Powell and Tye Boone
The Montana Junior America's Cup Girls' Team (l-r): Katie Lewis, Bella Johnson, Ashley Maki and Kenzie Walsh
58TH ANNUAL MONTANA STATE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
Polson Bay Golf Course
Polson | June 17-19, 2024
BOYS
14 - 18 OVERALL
7.
72 71 +9
T8. Caleb Fornshell 78 74 75 +11
T8. Hudson Goroski 75 75 77 +11 10. Landon Olson 76 78 76 +14
The following players did not make the cut
CUT Chase Choquette 81 75
CUT Tanner Cromwell 80 76
CUT Alexander Brester 78 80
CUT Carson Hupka 76 82 CUT Dylan Morris 81 78 CUT Brady Collins 78 82 CUT Tanyon Murray 86 76 CUT Zach Sawyer 84 81
CUT Houston Dunn 82 85 CUT Ayden Platt 86 83
CUT Cobe Sacry 82 87
CUT Brenner Booth 87 84
CUT Jonah Wynne 85 86
CUT Ryan Dailey 84 87
CUT Leevi Bohrer 82 89
CUT Kalen Price 87 86
CUT Eric Bell 95 83
CUT Tanner Tiesen 89 91
CUT Hudson Yost 95 87
14 - 15 DIVISION
16 - 18 DIVISION
Jack Schaefer
John Gilbert 74
Colin Jensen 78 73
+7 5. Sawyer Gentry 74 77 73 +8 6. Oliver Rowe 80 77 78 +19
The following players did not make the cut
CUT Joseph Meusey 84 76
CUT Royce Taylor 82 78
CUT Jack Pinski 82 80
CUT Torren Murray 83 81
CUT Regan Stuart 79 85
CUT Jayce Belzer 85 83
CUT Kellen Currie 85 86
CUT Matthew Ramshaw 87 87
CUT Jackson Hageman 87 89
CUT Karson McDonough 86 91
CUT Jack Muhlestein 88 93
CUT Jonah Hass 92 90
CUT Hank Hopstad 94 91
CUT Jared Anderson 97 92
GIRLS
14 - 18 OVERALL
1. Katie Lewis 80 74 78 +16
2. Isabella Johnson 79 80 77 +20
T3. Ashley Maki 81 84 80 +29
T3. Kenzie Walsh 81 78 86 +29
5. Hanna Boyd 83 80 86 +33
6. Anna Stensrud 83 83 84 +34
7. Keni Wade 79 85 87 +35
8. Casha Corder 82 85 86 +37
9. Kira Connell 85 85 91 +45
10. Lev Heaney 89 86 89 +48
T11. Cameron Burnett 90 91 85 +50
T11. Mia Nicholas 88 89 89 +50
13. Mielle Kavran 88 89 91 +52
14. Rebecca Washington 88 93 91 +56
15. Anna Lende 89 90 101 +64
16. Anna Fenhaus 95 94 95 +68
17. Breckin Frederick 95 90 100 +69
18. McKenna Tiesen 97 105 102 +88
19. Maggie Mitton 101 97 118 +100
16 - 18 DIVISION
1. Katie Lewis 80 74 78 +16
2. Isabella Johnson 79 80 77 +20
T3. Ashley Maki 81 84 80 +29
T3. Kenzie Walsh 81 78 86 +29
5. Hanna Boyd 83 80 86 +33
6. Anna Stensrud 83 83 84 +34
7. Keni Wade 79 85 87 +35
8. Casha Corder 82 85 86 +37
9. Kira Connell 85 85 91 +45
10. Lev Heaney 89 86 89 +48
11. Mia Nicholas 88 89 89 +50
12. Mielle Kavran 88 89 91 +52
13. Rebecca Washington 88 93 91 +56
The following players did not make the cut
CUT Camille Poncin 94 91 CUT Berkley Park 98 88 CUT Addison Tyree 97 94
CUT Olivia Mcgreevey 98 95 CUT Quincy Weymouth 97 97
CUT Stella Jaffe 100 98
CUT Delaney Clark 101 102
CUT Alivia Kuhr 112 112
14 - 15 DIVISION
Pos. Player R1 R2 R3
1. Cameron Burnett 90 91 85 +50
2. Anna Lende 89 90 101 +64
3. Anna Fenhaus 95 94 95 +68
4. Breckin Frederick 95 90 100 +69
5. McKenna Tiesen 97 105 102 +88
6. Maggie Mitton 101 97 118 +100
The following players did not make the cut
CUT Avery Gardner 106 104
CUT Izzy Baisch 114 107
CUT Brynn Drga 116 112
CUT Keegan Campbell 125 107
CUT Ava Bryson 122 112
88TH ANNUAL EARL HUNT MEMORIAL FOURTH OF JULY TOURNAMENT
BY TY SPARING
MSGA Communications Coordinator
The 88th annual Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July Tournament was held July 4-6 at the beautiful Whitefish Lake Golf Club. One of Montana’s longest running golf events, it’s also one of the most competitive with many talented golfers traveling in from all over.
In the Men’s Open division it was Seattle’s Cory Mehl who took home the hardware after an exciting playoff finish against Scottsdale’s Andrew Medley. Mehl, who won the event in 2018, had two rounds at 68 and 70 and came into the third day with a three-stroke lead. However, a double bogey on hole one for Mehl, along with three birdies on the front nine and another on hole ten for Medley, saw him two strokes back going into the final eight holes. Having played in the 4th of July tournament many times, Mehl stayed composed and notched three birdies on the final three holes to erase the deficit and put him in a tie with Medley at -6. After a brief playoff Mehl came out the victor, while for Medley it’s the second year in a row he has finished in the runner-up position.
Rounding out the top five was Joe Stover and Christian Clark, both from Dallas who tied for third with a score of -4. Houston’s Byron Olson was fifth place at +1.
On the Women’s Open side of things the
leaderboard was filled with current, former and future University of Montana golfers. The Ports sisters found themselves at the top when all was said and done. Raina Ports, an All-Conference golfer as a sophomore last year, won the event by six strokes over her sister
The staff at Whitefish Lake Golf Club hosted another successful Earl Hunt Memorial Fourth of July Tournament.
Hannah. Raina played consistent golf over the three rounds (73-71-72) with eleven total birdies, ending up at +2. Hannah meanwhile – also a UM golfer – had eight birdies herself on her way to a +8 finish.
Joining the Ports duo in the top five was former Grizzly teammate and last year’s 4th of July champion, Tricia Joyce, who finished up at +10. Montana Tech’s Emma Woods ended up in fourth place at +14, while MSGA Hall of Famer and former Griz Jasi Acharya tied with future Griz Bella Johnson for fifth place at +15.
In the men’s senior division Whitefish’s Brad Grattan successfully defended his title from last year with a finish at -6. An impressive victory for Grattan as he won by nine strokes over last year’s State Senior champion, Bill Dunn. He had come into day two with a tie for the lead but caught fire and ended the second round with seven birdies en route to shoot-
ing a 66. It was the lowest single round in the senior division and gave Grattan a comfortable lead going into the third and final round.
Gregory Hetzer of Whitefish finished in third place at +4, Arlee’s Carl Funk was fourth at +9, and Whitefish’s Marty Mehl and Missoula’s Ron Ramsbacher tied for fifth place at +11.
Earl Hunt, who the tournament is named after, was a long-time resident of Whitefish. He started work as a car man for the Great Northern Railroad in the 1920s and in 1927 lost his leg while on the job. Hunt was a member of the Whitefish Lake Golf Club for 52 years, later went on to bartend in the clubhouse, and was a designated starter and marshal for events at the course. He was known for greeting people with the classic golf phrase, “tee it high and let it fly.”
For full results, CLICK HERE.
EARL HUNT MEMORIAL
4TH OF JULY
TOURNAMENT
Whitefish Lake Golf Club
Whitefish | July 4-6, 2024
WOMEN'S OPEN
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
1.
2.
5. Jasi Acharya 78 77 74 +15
MEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
1ST FLIGHT
Tracey
T24. Tyler Avery
T24. Owen Wolak
27. Parker Shimp
28. Carson Hupka 75 76 79 +15
29. Joe Wagner 78 77 76 +16
T30. Paull Veroulis 74 80 78 +17
T30. Liam Clancy 69 85 78 +17
T30. Sammy Smith 77 77 78 +17
33. Shawn Tucker 74 79 80 +18
34. Bryce Reed 75 75 84 +19
35. Zach Maassen 80 79 76 +20
36. Samuel Berry 81 73 82 +21
37. Torren Murray 77 79 82 +23
T38. Christian Lund 79 74 86 +24
T38. Shawn Wilson 77 81 81 +24
T40. Marcus Drange 79 77 84 +25
T40. Jack Prigge 79 78 83 +25
T42. Matthew Polachek 85 79 78 +27
T42. Grant Carey 78 84 80 +27
1ST FLIGHT
Pos. Player R1 R2 R3 Total
T1. Scott Friggle 75 74 76 +10
T1. Curtis Blake 74 75 76 +10
3. Jon Johnstone 73 73 81 +12
T4. Cade Wagner 79 75 75 +14
T4. Tom Leachman 75 76 78 +14
6. Brad Holmgren 76 77 78 +16
7. Joe Opitz 78 79 75 +17
8. Tanner Hanson 78 74 84 +21
T9. Darren Rowell 77 83 77 +22
T9. Ryan Santa 76 80 81 +22
11. Ben Sidor 83 79 76 +23
12. Jack Johnston 75 83 81 +24
T13. Mike Layton 73 81 86 +25
T13. Adam Curry 80 72 88 +25
T15. Palmer Coleman 78 85 79 +27
T15. Andrew Hauser 80 77 85 +27
17. Gary Wagner 81 83 81 +30
18. Ross Bartell 77 88 81 +31
19. Jay Medley 81 81 87 +34 WD Akku Acharya 75 78 WD -
2ND FLIGHT
Pos. Player R1
22. Chris Geddes 89 88
23.
3RD FLIGHT
Kevin
4. Will Salonen 83 87
T5. Jeff Fairlee 84 80 82 +31
T5. Derek Denning 85 80 81 +31
7. Michael Fawver 77 84 86 +32
8. Davis Medley 83 83 82 +33
T9. Otto Klein 79 86 84 +34
T9. John Diehl 84 78 87 +34
11. Trey Haber 87 84 81 +37
12. Kyle Duty 79 89 85 +38
T13. Rudolph Gamarnik 81 91 82 +39
T13. Michael Levin 83 84 87 +39
T15. Loy Sullivan 86 85 85 +41
T15. Shawn Holland 83 86 87 +41
T17. Kelly Kolstad 83 88 87 +43
T17. Blake Hilburn 82 83 93 +43
19. John Walsh 86 84 89 +44
20. Odin Kruse 90 85 91 +51
T21. Brad Kaiser 92 90 86 +53
T21. Steven Rizzolo 90 93 85 +53
23. Calem Geddes 90 93 86 +54
24. Russ Warnick 98 98 100 +81
4TH FLIGHT
Pos. Player R1
1. Matthew Krause 75 77 81 +19
2. David Knight 81 74 81 +22
3. Brandann Rohrer 78 82 80 +26
4. Levi LaPrath 82 73 88 +29
5. Josh Maki 85 81 78 +30
6. Eli Taylor 78 82 84 +30
7. Kirk Bennett 80 85 82 +33
8. Trevor Wood 86 78 85 +35
9. Kevin Miller 88 80 82 +36
10. Barney Shynkaruk 81 83 87 +37
11. Josh Buls 92 81 80 +39
12. Drew Cripe 85 81 88 +40
13. Jarred Griffis 82 87 87 +42
14. Tony Ramsey 85 88 91 +50
15. Dylan Walsh 91 93 86 +56
16. John Lucke 90 92 90 +58
17. Matthias Tucker 90 92 97 +65
18. Brian Paul 104 92 97 +79
19. Barry Mordis 101 99 102 +88 20. Tanner Woodland 110 102
MEN'S SENIOR (55+)
CHAMPIONSHIP
1ST FLIGHT
5.
T8. Randy Emmons
T8. Larry Schwenke
John Hawkins
T11. Scott Hagel 83 83 80 +32
T11. Steve Wood 86 83 77 +32
T13. Mike Managhan 88 81 81 +36
T13. Bryon Mayala 85 79 86 +36
15. Dwight Jack 86 78 88 +38
16. Mike Kartsonis 85 85 84 +40
T17. Brad Taylor 83 91 83 +43
T17. Max Bierens 88 79 90 +43
2ND FLIGHT
1. Greg Selmanson 77 80 86 +29
2. Tom Eisenzimer 83 82 79 +30
3. Dave Streeter 87 84 84 +41
4. Vincent DePinto 85 81 90 +42
5. Stan Krause 82 80 97 +45
6. Rob Braig 87 91 84 +48
7. Bryan Klein 84 88 92 +50
T8. Neal Bouma 87 88 91 +52
T8. Terry Etnier 83 88 95 +52
10. Dan Wagner 89 88 90 +53
T11. Mark Stella 92 95 83 +56
T11. Scott Smith 85 95 90 +56
13. David Goldan 88 86 97 +57
14. Art Williams 93 99 87 +65
15. Kyle Woods 105 88 91 +70
16. Jay Jovanovich 92 101 93 +72
3RD FLIGHT
2. Dann Rohrer 80 83 81 +30
3. Henry Raats 86 81 81 +34
4. Chris Vidulich 80 81 88 +35
5. Ted Lewis 91 85 84 +46
6. Brian Krueger 96 88 87 +57
7. Jim Chavez 95 91 93 +65
8. Bruce Solberg 95 91 94 +66
9. Kurt Wechselberger 100 88 93 +67
10. William Rea 90 94 99 +69
11. Robert Slaven 98 95 91 +70
12. Steve Solberg 88 97 99 +70
13. Brian Cripe
2024 MSGA Volunteer Opportunities
Men’s State Am | Laurel GC | July 18-20
Women’s State Am | Butte CC | July 28-30
Scoring
MSGA Official Scorers are needed to help confirm competitor scorecards when their round is complete. The MSGA will instruct players to review their scorecards before officially turning them in. A scoring station shift is typically 2-4 hours long.
Player Check-in
As players arrive at an event, the MSGA will have a player check-in. This is where players receive their tee prize and any materials for the week. MSGA staff will be available to assist with answering questions.
Player Check-in is busiest during practice rounds and round 1.
Player Assistance (Rules)
Throughout play, player assistance volunteers will work with the MSGA rules officials to learn the rules of golf, help answer player questions, and make rulings when necessary.
Starters
The voice to welcome players to the tee. Starters are responsible for providing players with their scorecards, hole location sheets, announcing players, and any additional information for the day.
Check Points
During the event, the MSGA will have designated checkpoints on course for players. Check point volunteers will ensure scores are being uploaded to Golf Genius, help maintain pace of play, and make sure player questions are answered.
~ Josh Austin, USGA PJ Boatwright, Jr., Intern
MONTANA GOLFERS AT THE 122ND PNGA MEN’S AND WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
First held in 1899, the PNGA Amateur Championships are one of the longest running sporting events in the nation. One of 11 major regional tournaments put on by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association, both the men’s and women’s Amateur Championships bring in some of the best golfers in the country. Tiger Woods won the men’s event as an 18-year-old in 1994, and Montana’s own Edean (Anderson) Ihlanfeldt won the women’s event back in 1951.
With field sizes of 156, eight Montana golfers traveled westward to the Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington. Players had two qualifying rounds of stroke play, upon which there was a cut down to 64, where the remaining golfers entered single elimination match play competition. Dealing with a highly talented field of golfers, none of the Montanans managed to make the cut.
On the women’s side Bozeman’s Samantha Yates was the top Treasure State golfer, having finished her two-rounds at +24. Yates is currently a junior golfer at Seattle University. Following her was former MSU-Billings golfer BreAnna Cameron at +26, while current Montana State University golfer Jordan Briggs ended up at +30
For full women’s amateur results, CLICK HERE
In the men’s division Missoula’s Kade McDonough was tops of the Montana contingent, having finished at +4, just one stroke off the cut line. The two-time reigning Montana State Match Play Champion would’ve been right in his wheelhouse if he would’ve made the round of 64. Just a stroke behind McDonough was Laurel’s Carson Hackmann who ended up at +5. Big Sky’s William Kendrick finished up at +8, and Cameron Hackmann and Bozeman’s Josh Waldo tied over the two rounds at +16.
For full men’s amateur results, CLICK HERE
JAMES RUSSELL WINS 96TH ANNUAL OILFIELD
The Marias Valley Golf & Country Club in Shelby held the 96th annual Oilfield Tournament this past June 15-16. One of the oldest yearly golf events in Montana, many of the top players flocked north to the Hi-Line for a chance at winning the prestigious Oilfield title.
Playing on his home course, James Russell found himself tied for first place with Billings’ Samuel Berry after the first round, both sitting at an even par 72. Along with a birdie on hole eight, Russell had one of only two eagles scored throughout the entire two-round tournament,
which was done on the par-4, hole fourteen. (The other eagle came from Missoula’s Andy Huppert, who got his during the first round on the par5 hole four.).
Battling the wind and fits of rain, Russell stepped into round two and once again had the low score of the day at 77, which put him at +5 overall. The Shelby resident no doubt relied on his experience playing in the local elements, as Russell kept mistakes to a minimum, while notching three birdies (holes 1, 3, and 18) en route to a four-stroke victory over Jarek Shepard.
The second place Shepard, who also makes Marias Valley his home course, managed the gusty weather over the two days with only one birdie, but led the field with 27 pars on his way to finishing at +9. Following Shepard was Samuel Berry at +10. Berry led the field with six birdies over the two rounds. Rounding out the top five was Missoula’s Bob Hasquet and Helena’s Brady Kirkeby who tied at +12.
In the ladies flight it was Great Falls’ Hanna Boyd who came out on top with a two-round total of +13. Boyd’s first round of 74 was particularly notable as she notched four birdies and played herself into a comfortable six-stroke lead going into day two. The All-State golfer for Great Falls High had five birdies and seventeen pars over the two-rounds, giving her the four stroke victory over Montana Tech All-Conference golfer, Emma Woods.
In the men’s senior flight it was another Great Falls golfer taking home the title as Doug Bennyhoff finished up the two-rounds at +7, just one stroke ahead of Canada’s Perry Rasmussen. Bennyhoff’s first round of even par saw four birdies overall, with three of them on the final five holes.
The starter gets tournament play underway at the 96th Annual Oilfield Tournament, hosted by Marias Valley Golf & Country Club. James Russell would win the event.
LIBBY'S JOHNSTON BEGINS PROFESSIONAL CAREER ON PGA TOUR AMERICAS
BY CORA ROSANOVA USGA P.J. BOATRWIGHT JR. INTERN
Ryggs Johnston's transition to the professional ranks took a pivotal turn when he ventured north to Canada to compete on the PGA Tour of the Americas. This developmental tour, renowned for its rigorous competition and nurturing environment for emerging talents, provided Johnston with invaluable opportunities to test his skills against a diverse field of international competitors.
After already completing four career starts for the Libby, Montana-native Johnston ‒ beginning with the PGA Tour Americas' Beachlands Victoria Open in Vancouver, British Columbia ‒ he has competed in three different provinces in Canada, posting one top 25 finish when he tied for 12th at the ATB Classic in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Johnston also tied for fourth at the Mickelson Invitational, held in Calgary July 3-5.
Johnston was a a four-time Class A state golf champion at Libby High School before heading south to Arizona State for a decorated collegiate career. He earned third-team All-America honors this past Spring and was Pac-12 Silver Medalist, leading the Sun Devils to the 2024 Pac-12 Conference title.
Follow along as we continue to update his progress throughout the season.
Ryggs Johnston is playing professionally on the PGA TOUR Americas.
IMG JUNIOR WORLDS
Every year, young golfers from around the globe gather in San Diego, Calif., for the prestigious IMG Junior World Golf Championship. Founded in 1968, the tournament has grown into one of the most significant events in junior golf, featuring promising talent and providing a platform for future stars of the sport.
Montana showcased four junior golfers this year: Katie Lewis of Missoula in the Girls 15-18 division, Brady Powell of Stensville in Boys 15-18, and Max Milton of Polson and Billings' Collin Jensen in Boys 13-14.
The Girls 15-18 division played at Torrey Pines - North this year. Lewis finished T63 after shooting 72-76-78 over the three days.
The Boys 15-18 division was played at Torrey Pines - South. Powell completed his first appearance at the tournament missing the cut after shooting 79-74.
The Boys 13-14 division played El Camino Country Club in Oceanside. Milton finished T35 shooting 80-69-76, while Jensen finished T53 after shooting 76-75-77.
Gilbert
AJGA EVENT
The AJGA Reno Junior Championship was played July 8-11 at the Club at Arrowcreek - Legend Course, with 78 players in the field this year.
One of our own Montana golfers, John Gilbert of Helena participated in the field amongst the players. He finished T36 after shooting 74-81-77, with five birdies and an eagle on the first day.
Congratulations to all players on earning spots in such great events!
Brady Powell
John
MONTANANS HURLBERT, CUTTER COMPETE AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY NICK DIETZEN MSGA Executive Director
Craig Hurlbert who splits his time between Houston, TX, and Hamilton, MT, teed it up across the pond this month at the R&A Senior Amateur Championship. No stranger to championship events, Hurlbert competed last summer in the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur last year and finished T3 in the Golfweek Tournament of Champions. This July, he took his talents to Saunton, England.
Hurlbert missed the cut with a field of 168 players toughing it out in difficult conditions that saw the victorious Todd White (USA) claim a victory at +7 for four rounds.
Contested for the first time at Formby in 1969, the is open to players aged 55 years and over. Charlie Green has been the most successful player in the history of the championship, winning six times in seven years beginning in 1988.
Craig Hurlbert
To learn more about the British Senior Amateur CLICK HERE.
Helena’s Ryan Cutter competed in the 3rd U.S. Adaptive Open at Sand Creek Station in Newton, KS this month. Cutter, who competed last year as well, missed the cut with a field of 96 players with 29 advancing beyond the cut. Cutter, who competes in the multiple limb amputee category was previously the assistant professional at Green Meadow Country Club (GMCC) now is the Director of Instruction at GMCC in addition to running All Abilities Golf Academy
Kipp Popert won for the second consecutive year. Popert, 26, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and competes in the Neurological Impairment category.
To learn more about the U.S. Adaptive Open CLICK HERE
Ryan Cutter
The Idaho Golf Association and WA Golf’s Ladies Golf & Wine Getaway is a member benefit for IGA, WA Golf and OGA members and is restricted to players who hold a handicap in one of the above associations.
Each registrant will be added to a pending list and will be manually moved to a confirmed list. There are 14 king bed rooms and 14 double bed rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis.
REGISTRATION FEES:
• One Golfer (Alone or with one other Non-Golfer) = $900
• Two Golfers sharing a Room = $715/player (total due at registration = $1,430)
WHATS INCLUDED?
• Two nights lodging at Marcus Whitman (Check-in Thursday, August 8th, 2024; Check-out Saturday, August 10th, 2024)
• Two rounds of golf at Wine Valley (Thursday & Saturday)
• Resort Fees
• Tee prize
• Competition fees for both rounds of golf
• Closest to the Pin Prizes & Long Drive for Thursday and Saturday
• Transportation to and from wineries on Friday
• Wine tasting fees at Dunham Cellars, Woodward Canyon & L’Ecole 41 Winery
• Boxed lunch on Friday
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Thursday, August 8th
Round 1 @ Wine Valley Golf Course - 2:30 pm shotgun
Check-in at The Marcus Whitman Hotel after round 1
Friday, August 9th
Charter bus pick up at hotel for wine tasting – 10:30 am
First stop: Dunham Cellars + box lunch (provided) 11:00 am -1:30 pm
Second stop: Woodward Canyon & L’Ecole 41 Winery (half of the group will go to one winery and the other half will go to the other winery. Then we will switch after an hour.) 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday, August 10th
Check-out of hotel room at Marcus Whitman Hotel
Round 2 @ Wine Valley Golf Course –Tee times start at 11 am (10-minute intervals)
EXTRA NIGHTS STAY:
Should be booked directly with the hotel.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Tuesday, July 15th - 3:00 p.m. MST
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lexie VanAntwerp: Manager of Member Services(208) 342-4442 - lexie@idahoga.org
