PO Box 4306, Helena MT 59604-4306 (800) 628-3752 August 2019 - Volume 9, Issue 8

Eryn Ellis, Susan Court Claim State Amateur Titles August Tournaments Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director 8/1/19 - 8/3/19 Governors Cup Eryn Ellis, formerly of Rocky Mountain Eagle Bend, Meadow Lake, Whitefish College, put together a record-setting tour- 8/1/19 - 8/3/19 nament in Billings at The Briarwood Golf Hilands Fling Club as she won the 102nd Montana State Hilands GC (Billings) Women’s Amateur. 8/2/19 Associated Foods For the first time in the tournament’s history, Lake Hills GC (Billings) the winner finished under par. Ellis began the tournament 8/2/19 in impressive fashion, posting a three-under-par 71 in the Eryn Ellis Explorer Academy Fundraiser Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) opening round and then carding a blistering seven-under- 8/2/19 par round two of 67, getting her to a double-digit under-par PFL Tournament (-10) overnight lead. She was able to cruise to victory, let- Livingston GC (Livingston) ting off the gas a little bit in the final round as she managed 8/2/19 a 79 (+5) to finish at 5-under par for the championship. Ron Nistler Educators Memorial Ellis won the tournament by eight strokes over Whitefish’s Eaglerock GC (Billings) Coral Schulz. She has her sights set on qualifying for the 8/2/19 LPGA Tour in the near future. Society of Petroleum Engineers Susan Court The Briarwood GC (Billings) Schulz, a golfer at Montana State, who won the Fourth of July Tournament in 8/2/19 Stillwater Mine Whitefish earlier this summer, finished second with an ...Continued on the next page Laurel GC (Laurel) 8/2/19 Moore Wins Montana State Amateur Championship Todd Teagarden Memorial Scholarship Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director Yegen GC (Billings) 8/2/19 - 8/3/19 Billings’ Joey Moore claimed the 102nd Montana State Amateur Golf Tourna- 2 Man Best Ball ment. Moore’s final round play wasn’t as sharp as his blistering first two rounds. Pine Meadows GC (Lewistown) The San Diego State golfer was 14-under-par heading into 8/2/19 - 8/3/19 the final round and used his six-shot cushion to cruise to a Scramble For A Cure three-shot victory. Moore shot a final-round 78 (+6) and Rolling Hills GC (Broadus) 8/3/19 was never in danger on the back nine, as he stepped to the Bud Light 18th tee box five over second-place finisher Ryggs Johnston Town & CC of Miles City (Miles City) of Libby. 8/3/19 Hawaiian Open Johnston, the reigning champion, started strong with bird- Big Sky GC (Big Sky) ies on the third and fourth, and was two under and narrow- 8/3/19 ing the lead to two as the final group made their way to the Joey Moore I-90 Challenge eighth hole. Moore found his drive nestled next to a tree trunk and went on to Headwaters GC (Three Forks) make double bogey on the eighth, while Johnston ...Continued on the page 3 8/3/19 - 8/4/19 WOMEN’S AMATEUR ... from previous page Club Championship impressive performance of her own at 225 (+3) after rounds of 73-74-78. Butte’s Laurel GC (Laurel) Tricia Joyce and MSU’s Delaney Elliott tied for third at 228. 8/3/19 - 8/4/19 Morgan O’Neil of Billings, another Rocky player, rounded Marias Valley Open out the top-five at 232. Marias Valley GC (Shelby) 8/3/19 - 8/4/19 MLCC Club Championship Teigan Avery, a University of Montana and Kalispell product, Meadow Lark CC (Great Falls) was sixth at 233, followed by former Billings West star Carrie 8/3/19 - 8/4/19 Carpenter, who finished seventh with 236. Kameryn Basye Ron Godbout Coca-Cola Classic of Bozeman and Katy Peterson of Billings tied for eighth at Butte CC (Butte) 237, and incoming freshman at MSU and Bozeman native 8/3/19 - 8/4/19 Julia Jones Annika Danenhauer rounded out the top-ten with 238. MSGA Hall of Fame The Kambel Scrambel Cabinet View GC (Libby) The Women’s Senior Amateur Championship was held 8/4/19 concurrently at The Briarwood. Helena’s Susan Court picked Guys & Dolls Deer Park GC (Deer Lodge) up her third championship as she pulled away from the field 8/5/19 in the final round. Court, who entered the final round with PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am a two-shot advantage over local Briarwood member Lisa Canyon River GC (Missoula) Forsberg, increased her lead to seven shots after six holes and 8/5/19 would not relent en route to the title. Court was victorious Senior Interclub in 2010 and 2014, marking her third title in nine years. Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) Johnny Walker 8/5/19 - 8/7/19 Paul Allen Award Court posted rounds of 82-86- (Justin Mills pictured) Montana-Alberta Junior 87 for a 255 total, nine shots TBA (Canada) clear of Forsberg, who shot 84-87-93, and defend- 8/6/19 Green Meadow CC Invitational ing champion Jo Smith of Missoula, who tied for Green Meadow CC (Helena) second at 264 with rounds of 90-85-89. Bobbie 8/6/19 Lacklen of Libby was fourth at 266, followed by RMSPGA (YC) Ladies Pro-Am Carol Key of Missoula in fifth at 267. Seeley’s Cottonwood Hills GC (Bozeman) Helene Michael posted 270 in sixth and Julie 8/6/19 - 8/8/19 Tricia Joyce, Annika Danenhauer Embleton of Hamilton was seventh at 271. Carol Scholarship Winners Men's State Senior Championship Van Valkenburg of Missoula and Madeline Clegg Billings (Lake Hills, Laurel, YCC) of Deer Lodge tied for eighth at 276. Former champion Sue Matson of Laurel 8/7/19 rounded out the top ten at 282. Helen Tremper Women's Invitational Missoula CC (Missoula) 8/7/19 The following awards were presented during the tournament: Optimist Tri-Star Challenge Julia Jones, MSGA Hall of Fame Award; Johnny Walker, Exchange City Par 3 GC (Billings) MSGA Paul Allen Award (posthumously); and Tricia Joyce, 8/7/19 Annika Danenhauer, Skyler Martin, and Katie Friez, MSGA Southwest Montana Junior Golf Tour Scholarships. Anaconda CC (Anaconda) 8/8/19 The 2020 Women’s State Amateur and Senior Amateur MNLA Fall Tour Scramble will be held in Bozeman at Riverside Country Club. Full The Briarwood GC (Billings) results can be found here for the amateur and here for the Sunset, Day 2 8/9/19 Women's Am senior amateur. Hilands Ladies Swing Hilands GC (Billings) 8/9/19 Night Golf Congratulations to our NEWEST WINNERS! Pine Meadows GC (Lewistown) JULY'S DRAWING: 8/9/19 Oilmen's Classic Las Vegas, Nevada - Chris Nowlen, Missoula Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) $200 cash - Gary Kachadurian, Gallatin Gateway 8/9/19 Ronald McDonald House 1st Annual ** AUGUST’S TRIP PRIZE is Two Airline Tickets ** Town & CC of Miles City (Miles City) - 2 - MEN’S AMATEUR ... from page 1 8/9/19 parred to pull even with Moore. On the ninth, Moore two-putted for birdie and Wine & Nine Rally For A Cure Stillwater GC (Columbus) Johnston missed his birdie attempt. From there, Johnston would struggle on 8/9/19 - 8/11/19 the back nine with bogeys on 11 a double on 13 and another bogey on 14. He Member/Guest Tourney closed in 41 for a 75 (+3) and finished at five-under for the Old Baldy GC (Townsend) championship, earning runner up status at 211. 8/10/19 Builders First Source Golf and Blast University of Wyoming’s Liam Clancy was in the final group Village Greens GC (Kalispell) and the Laurel product had the best round of the group. He 8/10/19 eagled the third hole, made five birdies JCCC Golfer Memorial getting to four under on the round, during Jawbone Creek CC (Harlowton) difficult windy conditions, before finishing 8/10/19 Oilmen's Classic bogey, double bogey, for a final round 71 Steve Williamson Eaglerock GC (Billings) MSGA Hall of Fame (-1) and solo third-place finish at 214 (-2). 8/10/19 - 8/11/19 Club Championship MSU-Billings’ Garrett Woodin started hot with birdies on his Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) first three holes. Woodin would go on to make six birdies en 8/10/19 - 8/11/19 Joe Opitz route to a final round 71 and fourth-place finish. Logan Lind- HWGA 2 Lady Invitational holm of Kalispell made six birdies, including the 18th, to fire Hamilton GC (Hamilton) the low round of the day at 70, and finished tied for fifth at 218 8/11/19 with Hamilton’s Payton Taylor, who shot 74. Leno Classic Judith Shadows GC (Lewistown) 8/12/19 Helena’s Spencer Williams came in seventh after a final-round DMHC 4 Person Scramble 73 for a 219 total. Colton Hudson of Billings was eighth, after Scobey GC (Scobey) shooting 77 for a 220 total. Ben Kaul of Great Falls was the Bill Dunn 8/12/19 low finisher from the Electric City. Kaul shot an under-par 71 PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am for a 221 total. Marcus Drange of Billings shot 76 and Brady Kirkeby of Helena Buffalo Hill GC (Kalispell) shot 78. Drange and Kirkeby rounded out the top ten tying for tenth at 224. 8/12/19 PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am Matt Hobbs from Polson earned the Steve Schwartz Memorial Trophy for low Meadow Lark CC (Great Falls) junior. Hobbs shot 77-79-75, for a 231 total, and was tied for 19th overall. The 8/12/19 tournament saw two holes-in-one, both coming RMSPGA (YC) Pro-Am Lake Hills GC (Billings) from Missoula golfers. Former champion (2009) 8/12/19 Bill Dunn aced the 191-yard 16th hole during Southwest Montana Junior Golf Tour round two, and Sentinel High School golfer, Joe Old Works GC (Anaconda) Opitz, made his ace on the 135-yard fourth hole 8/12/19 during round one. The annual Barnett Cup, Wendy's A Waiting Child Classic which is awarded to the two low scorers from the Yellowstone CC (Billings) same golf club through two rounds, was claimed 8/13/19 by Cabinet View Golf Club's Ryggs Johnston and Ladies Association Invitational Jonny Cielak, Ryggs Johnston Jonny Cielak, who posted a combined 287 (-1). Laurel GC (Laurel) 8/13/19 RMSPGA (YC) Ladies Pro-Am The following awards were presented during the Lake Hills GC (Billings) tournament: Steve Williamson, MSGA Hall of 8/15/19 - 8/17/19 Fame Award; and Tyson St. John, Gavin Anderson, Men's State Mid-Amateur Paul O'Neil, and Daniel "Bucky" Crippen, MSGA The Briarwood GC (Billings) Scholarships. 8/16/19 Billings Clinic Women's Classic Meadow Lark Country Club graciously hosted the Laurel GC (Laurel) championship for the second time in five years. 8/16/19 This year, the club is celebrating its centennial anni- Junior Club Championships Tyson St. John, Gavin Anderson Livingston GC (Livingston) versary. 135 players from around the state compet- Scholarship Winners 8/16/19 ed in the MSGA's signature tournament of the year. Ram Scramble Next year’s tournament will be played in Billings at Yellowstone Country Club. Lake Hills GC (Billings) Full results can be found here. - 3 - Drive, Chip, & Putt Competitors Advance 8/16/19 - 8/18/19 Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director Beaverhead Sr Tournament Beaverhead GC (Dillon) In 2013, the USGA, in partnership with the Masters Tour- 8/16/19 - 8/18/19 nament and the PGA of America, created the Drive, Chip, Club Championship & Putt junior golf development competition that aims to Trestle Creek GC (St. Regis) grow the game. 8/17/19 5th Annual Whackers and Hackers Missoula’s Canyon River Golf Club has become a consis- Hickory Swing GC (Great Falls) tent host of a local qualifier, and again welcomed juniors ages 7-15. Players at- 8/17/19 Backwards 4 Person Scramble tempt three drives, three chips, and three putts to accumulate as many points as Signal Point GC (Fort Benton) possible. Four age groups for girls and boys saw participants from Montana and 8/17/19 surrounding geography competing at the beautiful venue in East Missoula. Brenner Memorial Scholarship Sidney CC (Sidney) In the girls competition, five Montana competitors 8/17/19 qualified. In the 7-9 age group, Charlotte Dale and Ladies Pronghorn Mckinley Steffanson, both of Missoula, Maloree Lake Hills GC (Billings) Salmonsen of Missoula in the 10-11 age group, 8/17/19 - 8/18/19 Katie Lewis of Missoula in the 12-13 age group, and Couples Emma Woods of Fairfield in the 14-15 age group. Town & CC of Miles City (Miles City) Drive, Chip, & Putt Competitors 8/17/19 - 8/18/19 MCC Couples' Chapman In the boys competition, five more Montanans qualified. Warren Cain of Mis- Missoula CC (Missoula) soula from the 7-9 age group, Maxwell Milton of Polson in the 10-11 age group, 8/17/19 - 8/18/19 Kade Mcdonough of Missoula in the 12-13 age group, and Eli Groshelle of Great Men/Women Club Championships Falls and Chase Irwin of Missoula from the 14-15 age group. Livingston GC (Livingston) 8/17/19 - 8/18/19 Qualifiers heading to the subregional will travel to The Highlands Golf Course VG Club Championship in Post Falls, Idaho, on August 9th. Those who are successful at that stage will Village Greens GC (Kalispell) move on to the regional site at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, 8/18/19 a month later. The national finals are held at Augusta National the Sunday pre- St. Thomas Church Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) ceding the in 2020. Know of an interested junior for next 8/19/19 year’s competition? Learn more here. PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am Bill Roberts GC (Helena) Handicapping FAQs 8/19/19 Emily Hulsey, MSGA Handicap and Website Coordinator RMSPGA (YC) Pro-Am Have a handicap question? Powell GC (Powell, WY) CLICK HERE for help. How Do I Post A Friend's Score In 8/19/19 - 8/20/19 The Smartphone App? Yellowstone County Seniors Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) A feature on the menu of the MSGA Smartphone App is to "Post a Friend's 8/21/19 Score". This is a convenient way to post your friends' scores when you regularly Ladies Invitational play together, especially if they do not have a smartphone or the app loaded. Anaconda CC (Anaconda) To use this feature, you must first add people to your Friends List. 8/22/19 T Bone Classic To edit your Friends List, log in online at www.msgagolf.org/login. From the The Briarwood GC (Billings) top menu, click MESSAGE CENTER, then MY PLAYER LIST. If you have any 8/23/19 friends added, they will display here. You can add friends by clicking on "Add Billings Clinic Classic The Briarwood GC (Billings) Player". You can delete them from your list by clicking on the "X" to the right of 8/23/19 their name. Billings Clinic Classic Laurel GC (Laurel) Back in the App, you will need to refresh your Friends screen by going back to 8/23/19 Home, then again to menu, and "Post a Friend's Score." You will see the updat- CTA Fall Classic ed list. Click on the person's name to post a score, and proceed as usual. Please Eaglerock GC (Billings) note: When you post scores for your friends, they will display in your score 8/23/19 posting history (app only), highlighted in Blue, noting it was for a Friend, and Dirt Bags the friend's name. Village Greens GC (Kalispell) - 4 - 8/23/19 Juniors Represent Montana in Junior America’s Cups Montana Rail Link Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) 8/23/19 Montana was represented in the annual Junior America’s Cup by both girls and Night Flight boys teams. In the GIRLS JUNIOR AMERICA'S CUP, played at Bear Creek Trestle Creek GC (St. Regis) Golf Club in Murietta, California, Carrie Carpenter of Billings was joined by 8/23/19 Annika Danenhauer, Laurel Ward, and Cora Rosanova of Bozeman making up PHS Golf Team Varsity Invitational the girls’ squad. Over three rounds, Team Montana posted 232-241-248 for a Livingston GC (Livingston) tournament total of 721, good for 13th overall. 8/24/19 Equipment Fundraiser Scramble Carpenter and Danenhauer tied for low Cabinet View GC (Libby) 8/24/19 honors on the team as they both fin- Foundation For Community Care ished with totals of 235 (+19) and tying Sidney CC (Sidney) for 38th. Carpenter was consistent with 8/24/19 rounds of 79-78-78 and Danenhauer Huntley Project Schools Fundraiser posted 74-80-81 for her 235 total. Ward Pryor Creek GC (Huntley) fired rounds of 79-83-89 for a 251 total, 8/24/19 60th overall. Rosanova shot 84-89-90 for Pioneer Scramble a 263 total and 65th place finish. Town & CC of Miles City (Miles City) Wyatt Nielson, Annika Danenhauer, Cora 8/24/19 Rosanova, Laurel Ward, Carrie Carpenter, Team Washington & Team Hawaii were Valley Bank Scholarship Lauren Nielson Mission Mountain GC (Ronan) the co-champions of the competition. 8/24/19 Each team posted three-day scores of six-over par, 654. A single stroke sepa- Wear Your Colors Tournament rated the top four teams, providing significant drama down the stretch. The Deer Park GC (Deer Lodge) individual medalist was a tie between Lana Calibuso-Kwee of Team Hawaii and 8/24/19 - 8/25/19 Cassie Kim of Team Washington. Both Kwee and Kim finished the tournament Big Sky Open / Club Championship at seven-under par, 209. Team San Diego was awarded the Joan Teats Award, Big Sky GC (Big Sky) which is given to the team that best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, 8/24/19 - 8/25/19 sportsmanship, honesty, friendship, and respect throughout the week. For full Club Championship results, click here. Next year’s event will be hosted in Nevada. Stillwater GC (Columbus) 8/24/19 - 8/25/19 Member-Guest The BOYS JUNIOR AMERICA'S CUP competed at Blackhawk Golf Club in Whitefish Lake GC (Whitefish) Spruce Grove, Alberta. Over three days of play, Team Montana posted scores 8/24/19 - 8/25/19 of 226-228-248 for a total of 702 (+63) to finish 17th of 18 participating teams. Men's Member Guest Montana’s team was made up of J.R. Small from Bozeman, Blake Finn of Big Rolling Hills GC (Broadus) Timber, Justus Verge of Bozeman, and Kaven Noctor of Butte. 8/24/19 - 8/25/19 Rusty Cup Small had the best performance of the Livingston GC (Livingston) group with rounds of 74-78-79. His 231 8/25/19 total tied for 48th overall. Finn posted 79- HOA Fall Fling 76-81 for 236 and 54th place. Verge had Village Greens GC (Kalispell) 8/26/19 the low round among the Montanans on PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am day one with 73 and followed with 74-95 Northern Pines GC (Kalispell) for 242 and T61. Noctor was consistent 8/26/19 with 85-86-88 for 259 and 70th overall. Senior Interclub SNOFOG Eaglerock GC (Billings) For the first time in over 20 years the Sparkey MacLean, Justus Verge, Blake Finn, 8/30/19 - 9/2/19 Junior America’s Cup named two teams J.R. Small, Kaven Noctor, Joe Rossman AJGA Qualifier as Co-Champions of the event. Utah and Big Sky GC (Big Sky) San Diego matched first place scores of 4-over-par at the end of the 54-hole 8/31/19 - 9/1/19 competition. On the individual side of the competition, Washington State’s Coors Light Two Person Challenge Anaconda CC (Anaconda) Ian Siebers (Bellevue, WA) claimed the Sally Pini trophy for low individual at 8/31/19 - 9/1/19 6-under-par (207), following rounds of 65-67-75. Siebers claimed a 3-shot mar- Kabinski Klassik gin of victory over Utah’s Brandon Robison who finished at 3-under-par (210) Pine Meadows GC (Lewistown) for second place. Full results here. Next year’s event will be played in Idaho.

- 5 - 8/31/19 - 9/1/19 Anderson Qualifies for Senior PGA Championship The 406 Best Ball Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director The Briarwood GC (Billings) Laurel head golf pro Tom Anderson used some home course knowledge, previ- 8/31/19 - 9/2/19 Labor Day Tournament ous winning pedigree, and solid play to claim the Rocky Mountain Section Buffalo Hill GC (Kalispell) Senior PGA Professional Championship at Laurel Golf Club. 8/31/19 - 9/2/19 Anderson, no stranger to victory in the event, lifted the cup Millier Lite Labor Day Classic for the fifth time in his career. Butte CC (Butte) Anderson will lead four Rocky Mountain Section PGA Professionals as they travel south October 3-6 for the 31st Senior PGA Professional Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin, Texas.

Tom Anderson Anderson posted a winning score of even-par 144, five shots clear of runner up John Graham of Idaho Falls at 149. An- derson and Graham will be joined by Ron Rawls and Jim Empey, both of Boise, Idaho, as representatives of the section in Texas.

The Senior PGA Professional Championship showcases a field of 264 profes- sionals from the PGA of America’s 41 nationwide Sections. Competitors must be 50-and-older senior PGA Professionals who advance through 41 Section Championships between June and August. The top 35 finishers in the national championship earn a berth in the 81st Kitchen Aid Senior PGA Championship next May at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The top five finishers CLICK HERE to see the 2019 Rules there earn an exemption into the final stage of the 2020 PGA Tour Champions chart on the MSGA Website National Finals in November 2019.

ONE NETWORK IN 2020 Congratulations to our newest Regardless of handicap vendor, all Associations will be converted to Ace Club Members! one network by the end of 2019 Did you get a hole-in-one? Go to www.msgagolf.org to see (this date has changed). how to get your MSGA Hole-in-One Certificate!

Here are the benefits: Cora Bedley, 7/31/19, Whitefish Lake GC (South), Hole #16, 116 yds, Rescue 6 • ONE network # - multiple states Bill Dunn, 7/26/19, Meadow Lark CC, Hole #16, 191 yds, 6 Iron • ONE handicap record - no linking Joe Opitz, 7/25/19, Meadow Lark CC, Hole #4, 153 yds, N/A • Accessible by anyone in ONE place Jim Huber, 7/24/19 Beaverhead GC, Hole #8, 202 yds, 4 Hybrid • Centralized handicap calculation Robert Bedley, 7/23/19, Whitefish Lake GC (South), Hole #7, 136 yds, N/A • All handicap vendors, same network Mike Gibbons, 7/22/19, Polson Bay GC, Hole #9, 128 yds, 6 Iron • Invisible to golfers, no software or Casey Fox, 7/15/19, Big Sky GC, Hole #13, 140 yds, Pitching Wedge program change Larry Flemmer, 7/15/19, Whitetail GC, Hole #5, 142 yds, 8 Iron DO YOU HAVE A GHIN# or Kim Fagenstrom, 7/14/19, Meadow Lark CC, Hole #4, 135 yds, 8 Iron other record outside the MSGA? Jeffrey S. Devlin, 7/12/19, Polson Bay GC, Hole #9, 155 yds, 6 Iron If so, we need to link your records, if Richard Gehri, 7/9/19, Whitefish Lake GC (North), Hole #11, 167 yds, 5 Hybrid this hasn’t been done already! With Rob Henthorn, 7/8/19, Old Works GC, Hole #17, 162 yds, 7 Iron the merge to one network coming, DJ Jones, 7/6/19, Bill Roberts GC, Hole #13, 113 yds, 8 Iron this needs to be completed soon to Will Alexander, 7/4/19, Stillwater GC, Hole #2, 155 yds, 5 Iron Bruce Hogan, 7/1/19, Whitefish Lake GC (South), Hole #16, 115 yds, P. Wedge eliminate problems and confusion Terry Bentz, 6/30/19, Exchange City Par 3 GC, Hole #14, 143 yds, 8 Iron for both you and anyone searching Brad Clem, 6/28/19, Whitefish Lake GC (North), Hole #4, 178 yds, 4 Iron Hybrd your record. John Hoffman, 6/27/19, Fox Ridge GC, Hole #14, 138 yds, 7 Iron Just email your information to Wayne Little, 6/22/19, Pine Meadows GC, Hole #15, 156 yds, Pitching Wedge [email protected], and we’ll Dan McQuillen, 6/9/19, Larchmont GC, Hole #14, 149 yds, 7 Iron set you up! Shane Patacsil, 8/13/17, Beaver Creek GC, Hole #4, 162 yds, 7 Iron

- 6 - U.S. Amateur News Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director Delaney Elliott Qualifies for U.S. Women’s Amateur

Montana State senior golfer Delaney Elliott qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur after shooting a one-under-par 71 and earning medalist honors. She earned her spot in the top amateur tournament at Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado. Elliott’s success was accentuated by a hole-in-one on the 168-yard par-3 12th.

The ace helped Elliott earn her way to Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Mississippi, August 5-11. Delaney Elliott

Mandell Bests Montanans For U.S. Amateur Berth

The Ranch Club of Missoula again hosted a U.S. Amateur qualifier with 35 players vying for one spot in the country’s most prestigious amateur event. Sixteen of the participants hailed from the Treasure State, but it was Washington resident, Nick Mandell of Kennewick who claimed medalist honors. Mandell edged out Billings’ Joey Moore during the 36-hole event with an eight-under-par score of 136 (67-69).

Moore, the newly minted State Amateur Champion and San Diego State golfer was runner up and earned first-alternate status for the event to be held August 12 at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in Pinehurst, Nick Mandell North Carolina. Libby’s Ryggs Johnston, a four-time State A golf champion from Libby who is headed to Arizona State on a golf scholarship, pulled out with an injury after shooting a first-round 74. Bozeman professional Joey Lovell was tied with Mandell after the first 18 holes and finished in fifth at 139. Payton Taylor of Hamilton tied for sixth at 140.

World Handicap System Educational Videos Emily Hulsey, MSGA Handicap and Website Coordinator

As part of the USGA’s continued education for the upcoming World Handicap System in 2020, here are links to the next 2 videos released in July. For a full archive of the videos, along with more information, go to www.msgagolf.org/ whs and www.whs.com.

The Marvel Comics Avengers Junior Video 6: Calculation of a Video 7: Net Double Bogey Golf Guide and Teachers Edition are Playing Handicap (Maximum Hole Score) now available to order. Click Here.

GOLFERS IN BIG SKY COUNTRY SAVOR SHORT SEASON BY MIKE TROSTEL, USGA

Competitors gathered around the table, their gazes transfixed on the shiny silver object before them. “Is this the first time it’s been in Montana?” one asked. “This is so cool,” remarked -an other as he took a selfie in front of it. “My grandfather played a round with Bob Jones in Butte,” said a third as he admired the name engraved four times on the trophy between 1923 and 1930.

Yes, the U.S. Open Trophy had been to Montana before. Montana resident Steve Jones, the 1996 champion, had brought his trophy there on a victory lap for friends and family to see. But most of those playing in the 2017 Montana State Ama- teur at Missoula Country Club were seeing the trophy in person for the first time. “To have the U.S. Open Trophy at Mon- tana’s biggest amateur championship is pretty special,” said Chris Nowlen, general manager ...Continued on the next page

- 7 - BIG SKY COUNTRY ... from previous page and director of golf at Missoula C.C. “I think it’s inspiring to a lot of these guys. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, if you’re good enough, you can compete at the highest level.”

The State Amateur is conducted by the Montana State Golf Association (MSGA), which was founded in 1917 and recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The MSGA has a staff of three, two of whom have had other jobs in addition to their roles with the association. Jim Opitz, the executive director of the MSGA since 2001, was also the activities director for Helena Public Schools (recently retired). He received the Ike Grainger Award in 2017, honoring his 25 years of service to the USGA as a volunteer. “We have a small, but dedicated, staff that is passionate about golf in Montana,” said Opitz, a life-long teacher, administrator, and coach in Helena. “This state has so much to offer, but golf has remained a consistent part of the outdoor activity scene for more than a century.” Steve Jones, 1996 U.S. Open champion Montana boasts some of the best places to fish, hike, and raft anywhere in the country. Each year, millions of tourists visit Glacier National Park, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and Yellowstone Na- tional Park. But while Montana is the fourth-largest state in terms of area – behind Alaska, Texas, and California – its to- tal population just cracked the 1 million mark for the first time in 2012, and the state is 48th of 50 in terms of population density, with just seven people per square mile. Comparatively, New Jersey, the most densely populated state, has 1,210 people per square mile.

As a result of the population dispersion and weather limitations that bring snow and cold weather to Montana well into the spring, the state has only 110 golf courses. But while the golf season may be shorter than many of its neighbors to the south, what Montana lacks in quantity, it makes up for in the stunning beauty of its landscapes and the passion of its supporters. “We definitely don’t take anything for granted because we only get to play golf for about half the year out here,” said Opitz. “Once winter breaks, our players are chomping at the bit to get out on the course and tee it up.” As part of the USGA's celebration of 125 Years of Golf in America, it is featuring a different state each Montana produces fewer competitive golfers than sun-drenched states week of 2019 on its website at www.usga.org. such as California or Florida. Mike Grob, of Billings, was a six-time win- Montana was featured beginning 7/31/19. ner on the Canadian Tour (now the Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada) between 1997 and 2009, while Edean (Anderson) Ihlanfeldt is the lone Montana resident to win a USGA championship: the 1982 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. Ihlanfeldt also founded and coached the University of Washington women’s golf program, and an invitational event there bears her name.

Interestingly, there were no national championships conducted in Montana for the first 99 years of the USGA’s existence, but the Treasure State hosted its first two the same week in July 1994: the U.S. Amateur Public Links at Eagle Bend Golf Club in Bigfork (won by Guy Yamamoto) and the U.S. Girls’ Junior at Meadow Lark Country Club in Great Falls (won by Kelli Kuehne). Because these national championships were the first in Montana’s history, the Great Falls Tribune wrote tips for gallery members who might not be familiar with golf etiquette. They asked fans not to “touch any golf ball on the course, walk in sand traps, or bring transistor radios or boomboxes that could distract the players.”

While music may not have accompanied the historic 1994 events, a hearty rendition of “Happy Birthday” was sung at Missoula Country Club as the MSGA celebrated its centennial in 2017. And while the gala featured a cake, the object of everyone’s affection was the silver trophy in the center of the room, inspiring a new generation of Montana golfers that anything is possible – even winning the U.S. Open.

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE Want to see something CLICK HERE in the newsletter? to Apply for the Contact Nick Dietzen at: MEN'S STATE AMATEUR [email protected] SUBSCRIBE (406) 459-3459

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