BILLINGS, Mont. – Senior Connor Miele bettered par in his final career home tournament, carding a 3-under 213 (73-70-70) at Lake Hills Golf Course Tuesday to lead the Montana State University Billings men's golf team to the title at their spring invitational.
 
The Yellowjackets held off Rocky Mountain College by six strokes, and finished with a three-round team score of 874 (296-281-297) on the par-72, 6,802-yard course layout. "It was a great men's tournament, with a lot of close scores and good golfers," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "The key was the second round, and to shoot 7-under-par for four guys really got us some separation."
 
Miele got off to a strong start with a 2-under-par 34 on the front nine on Tuesday, where he carded a pair of his tournament-high 15 birdies. The senior also had 30 pars, playing just 11 holes at worse than par overall. "We put in a lot of work at Lake Hills these last few weeks, and it really paid off today," said Miele. "I was making putts that I really needed to, and my wedge game excelled this week."
 
Freshman Garrett Woodin tied for fifth place at the tournament, and shot a three-round score of 219 (74-70-75). Woodin played the front nine at 1-under-par Tuesday, and had nine total birdies to go along with 31 pars

over the two days. 

Also in the top-10 was freshman Caleb Stetzner with a score of 221 (71-73-77). Stetzner started the day off strong with a 2-under-par 34 on the front nine, including a birdie on the short par-4 fifth hole where he drove the green and two-putted. Stetnzer tied Woodin for the team lead with nine birdies.
 
Senior Michael Porter wound up in 10th place, three strokes behind Stetzner with a 224 (79-70-75). Porter's 32 pars overall were the second-most on the team behind Stetzner's 35.
 
Tying for 18th place, sophomore Austin Walter wrapped up his tournament with a score of 229 (78-71-80). Scott Larson also competed as an individual, shooting a total score of 242 (80-80-82) and tied for 33rd place.
 
Rocky Mountain College's Michael Tait won the individual title, shooting a 10-under-par 206 while twice breaking 70 in a single round. Tait built on a 71 in his opener, and followed with rounds of 67 and 68 to win the top medal convincingly.
 
THE BUZZ: Miele was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
 
COMING UP: MSUB's men's golf team competes at the Western New Mexico University Invitational next week, running April 3-4 at Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, Ariz. It will be the final tournament for the Yellowjackets before the 2017 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships April 24-25 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.
 
Yellowjacket Spring Invitational
Lake Hills Golf Club | Billings, Montana
Final Results | March 28, 2017
Team – 1. MSU Billings, 874 (296-281-297). Individuals – 1. Michael Tait, RMC, 206 (71-67-68); 2. Connor Miele, MSUB, 213 (73-70-70); T5. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 219 (74-70-75); 8. Caleb Stetzner, MSUB, 221 (71-73-77); 10. Michael Porter, MSUB, 224 (79-70-75); T18. Austin Walter, MSUB, 229 (78-71-80); T33. Scott Larson, IND, 242 (80-80-82).