BILLINGS, Mont. – Signing early letters of intent to join the Montana State University Billings women's golf team for 2018-19, Montana golfers Kinsey Irvin and Tierney Messmer will be the first additions to the Yellowjackets' program for next year announced head coach Kevin Woodin on Thursday.
 
Messmer is a native of Sidney, Mont., and capped a decorated career at Sidney High with the 2017 Montana Class A individual state title. As a senior, she won state after claiming first place at the divisional tournament, and was an all-state selection for the third time.
 
During her junior year at SHS, Messmer won 4 of 10 tournaments that she competed in, and finished third at the divisional and fifth at the state tournaments. As a senior, she took first place in 6 of 9 events, and helped the Eagles to the state title in addition to her individual championship. Her personal-best unofficial golf score is a 70 and her best high-school tournament score is a 75.
 
"Tierney is a quality golfer and an awesome student-athlete," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "She had a stellar high-school career at Sidney, culminating with her individual and team state championship in October. I am excited to see Tierney's game develop in college, and I believe her best golf is yet to come. Furthermore, she is a tremendous student and person, and I look forward to working with her next fall."
 
Messmer is also a four-time academic all-state honoree in both golf and basketball. She is a four-time letterwinner in basketball as a shooting guard under head coach Ruben Moreno.
 

"I chose MSUB because I like the golf program and the family atmosphere," Messmer said. "I truly appreciate the attention Coach Woodin has given me and the generous offer to play golf for the Yellowjackets. I feel the university campus is a nice size and within close proximity to my hometown. I have heard nothing but good things about the quality of education that MSUB provides. I look forward to furthering my education in the great state of Montana."
 
Irvin, a native of Lewistown, Mont., is in her senior year at Fergus High School where she is a three-sport athlete. She is a four-time all-conference and academic all-conference golfer, and won three divisional titles in her career with the Golden Eagles. She was named her team's MVP all four years, and was a three-time all-state selection.
 
"I am pleased to have Kinsey join our program," said Woodin. "She has improved so much over the past couple of years, and has become one of the

best and most consistent players in Montana. Like Tierney, I feel Kinsey's best golf is ahead of her, and I am excited to have her at MSUB. She is a tremendous student-athlete, and I know she will make our women's golf program even better right away."
 
Irvin was the Montana Class A runner up in 2016, and took third place in 2017. Four times during the 2017 season she tied the FHS tournament single-round record with a 75, and she was a member of the girls team that shot a school-record 356 and took second place at the 2017 state championships. Irvin also earned four letters in softball and two in basketball, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
 
"I've had many people from Montana's golf and academic communities encourage me to join MSUB, because of its outstanding program and coaching staff," Irvin said. "I am excited to be part of a team that draws some of the best golfers in the state and region, and I am looking forward to the challenging competition and tournament venues in the GNAC."
 
MSUB's women's golf team completed the fall portion of its 2017-18 schedule on Oct. 15. The Yellowjackets will return to action on March 12 in Las Vegas, and will play five tournaments in 2018 culminating with the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships on April 23-24 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. View a full 2017-18 schedule online here.