BILLINGS, Mont. – Under the weather, both literally and figuratively, senior
Bailee Dexter led Montana State University Billings to the women's team title as she claimed medalist honors at the Yellowjacket Spring Invitational on Tuesday at Lake Hills Golf Club.
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Despite sub-50 temperatures and gusting winds throughout the day, Dexter also battled through a cold of her own and posted a tournament-best 75 to claim the title. The 3-over-par score came after her 80 on Monday, as she won the event with a two-round total of 155 on the par-72, 6,119-yard course.
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Dexter led four MSUB players who finished in the top-5 overall, as the Yellowjackets stood out among the four-team field with a two-round total of 637 (315-322).
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Getting paired with her sister Lynzee Dexter of Montana Tech for the day, Bailee got her round started with a bang as she eagled her first hole on the par-5, 464-yard second. She followed with a birdie on the par-5, 481-yard ninth hole, and played the front-nine at 2-under-par 34. The 75 was Dexter's second-lowest round of the 2017-18 season overall, after she shot a 71 at the Western New Mexico Fall Invitational in September.Â
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Bailee Dexter (right) and sister Lynzee of Montana Tech, were paired together for their final round on Tuesday.
Taking second place at the tournament was fellow senior
Sammy Walter, who was four strokes behind Dexter with a two-round total of 159 (78-81). Playing in the final home round of her career, the Billings native was steady with 11 pars in Tuesday's difficult conditions.
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Giving the 'Jackets a clean 1-2-3 sweep of the top spots on the leaderboard was junior
Shealyn Hafer, who took third with a total of 160 (80-80). Hafer closed the tournament strongly, as she played her final nine holes of the day at 1-under-par 35. Like Dexter, Hafer saved a pair of strokes with an eagle on the second hole, and followed with a birdie on the par-3, 140-yard seventh hole as well.
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After posting the team's best score with a 77 on Monday, junior
Sarah Schroefel got off to a strong start as she birdied her first hole of the day. On the par-4, 374-yard first hole, Schroefel curved her 130-yard approach shot off the right edge of the green and within 12 feet of the hole. She drained the midrange putt, and also had a birdie on the ninth hole to highlight her round. Overall Schroefel finished in a tie for fifth place with a two-round total of 163 (77-86).
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Just behind Schroefel was freshman
Sydney Rochford, who showed strong consistency with her best two rounds of the year. Rochford followed an 84 on Monday with an 86 on Tuesday, as her two-round total of 170 was good for ninth place.
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Renae Heisler checked in at 12th place, finishing the tournament with a two-round total of 176 (83-93). Also competing for the 'Jackets was freshman
Kylee Knobloch, who shot a 192 (95-97) and took 22nd place.
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THE BUZZ: Dexter was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
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NEXT UP: The Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships are the final event on the calendar for the Yellowjackets, and will run April 23-24 at Coeur d'Alene Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
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Yellowjacket Spring Invitational
Final Results | April 17, 2018
Lake Hills Golf Club | Billings, MT
Team – 1. MSU Billings, 637 (315-322).
Individual – 1.
Bailee Dexter, MSUB, 155 (80-75); 2.
Sammy Walter, MSUB, 159 (78-81); 3.
Shealyn Hafer, MSUB, 160 (80-80); T5.
Sarah Schroefel, MSUB, 163 (77-86); 9.
Sydney Rochford, MSUB (Ind.), 170 (84-86); T12.
Renae Heisler, MSUB, 176 (83-93); 22.
Kylee Knobloch, MSUB, 192 (95-97).