HUNTLEY, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings' women's golf team and men's golf student-athlete,
Gage Huft, picked up first place finishes at the Yellowjacket Spring Invitational.
After entering the final round with a 17-stroke lead, the Yellowjacket women won the tournament for the third straight year. Montana State Billings cruised to the team title with a 325 Friday. MSUB placed four golfers in the top 10, led by
Katie Fish's third place finish. The sophomore shot a 79 in the first round and a 79 in the second round.
Melissa Saken led the field after the first day, but slid to fifth after an 82 in the final round. She finished with a 160 total.
Cayley Fish (165) and
Capri Ingram (168) came in seventh and ninth.
Mariah Cleveland was 14th in the 48-golfer field.
BreAnna Cameron came in eighth as an individual.
“Our women played very well the last two days,” MSUB Head Coach Shawn O'Brien said. “I am excited for the spring, we have been hitting the ball very well and I hope to continue the same success. Katie played very well along with many others on our team this tournament.”
Huft, who won the Yellowjacket Fall Invitational, needed a playoff hole to win the spring title. The sophomore led the men's field after the first day with a 70. He shot a 78 on the second day. Huft then held off North Idaho College's Austin Westphal on the playoff hole. Huft finished with seven birdies and was four-under on par-five holes.
Black Hills State's Brandi Holmes took the women's title. She shot a 79 in the opening round, followed by a 76 on Day 2. Holmes held off Colorado Mesa's Michelle Stripp by two strokes. Holmes made four birdies and 20 pars in the tournament.
North Idaho College won the men's team title. The Cardinals placed its top four finishers in the top six. Westphal led NIC with a 148. The sophomore shot 73 Friday. After leading the first day, the MSUB men finished tied for second with Rocky Mountain College. It marks the first time in the tournament's four-year history that a school outside Billings won the team title on the women's or men's side.
“It was a tough day for our men,” O'Brien said. “We struggled with our putting. Although the wind was blowing, we missed too many greens in regulation to give ourselves a shot at a productive day. Everyone fought hard; it was just not a good day on the course for us. We have a full week of practice before going to Arizona next weekend, so I believe we will get everyone worked on that is needed to be successful down there.
“Gage played well both days. Although he did not score as well as he would have hoped today, he hit the ball great. Unfortunately he had a few bad breaks on the course which went against him. He is a great player, and I am excited to see him place medalist in the tournament. He has a bright future for this spring.”
The Montana State Billings' men travel to Phoenix on March 25 for the Grand Canyon University – Thunderbird Invitational. The following week, the Yellowjacket women travel to GCU's women's Invitational.
“We now have a couple weeks to prepare for the University of Grand Canyon's invitational,” O'Brien said. “The practice will be beneficial for us and I look forward to seeing how we play in Arizona.”
