LAS VEGAS – Borderline unplayable conditions due to sustained winds of 35 miles-per-hour put a dent into the final round of the Winona State Warrior Invitational on Wednesday afternoon, as the Montana State University Billings women's golf team trudged through 18 holes at Stallion Mountain Golf Club.
 
Only one player managed to card a score better than 85 Wednesday, on the par-72, 5,929-yard course, and only five of the 74 players were able to break a 90. "The conditions were unbelievably difficult," said MSUB head coach Jeff Allen. "A ball at rest on the green would get blown off with a gust of wind, and we just couldn't get the ball to sit still. It was unfortunate, and everyone had to endure that difficulty. Good shots weren't rewarded, and it didn't matter what the players did as they couldn't control it."
 
As a team MSUB posted a score of 380, which was the fourth-best team score of the day despite being 74 strokes worse than Tuesday's season-best 306. Despite the conditions, the Yellowjackets settled for third place as a team with a 686, as they finished behind first-place Missouri Western State (653) and second-place Rocky Mountain College (660). "I was just happy that everyone was able to complete their round," Allen said. "It's something we will have to forget about as we move forward with our season."
 
Shealyn Hafer, who entered the round in second place after a career-best 73 on Tuesday, finished in a tie for eighth place as she struggled through a 97 on Wednesday.
 
Freshman Tierney Messmer was the Yellowjackets' top finisher on the day, as she managed a 92 and wound up in seventh place with a two-round total of 169.
 
Senior Sarah Schroefel tied with Hafer for eighth place, after she shot a 95 on Wednesday and finished with a 170 as well.
 
Sophomore Renae Heisler tied for 20th place, with a two-round score of 181 (81-100). Sydney Rochford tied for 24th at 183 (82-101), and Kinsey Irvin was a stroke behind her in a tie for 26th at 184 (88-96).
 
Shi Qing Ong of Missouri Western State managed to hold on to her Round 1 lead, and finished in a tie for first place with a two-round score of 159 (71-88). Her teammate Anna Bech posted the top score Wednesday with a 78, to tie for the individual title as well with a 159.
 
THE BUZZ: Messmer was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets' next scheduled tournament is April 5-6 at the Western New Mexico University Mustang Invitational in Goodyear, Arizona.
 
Winona State Warrior Invitational
Final Results | March 13, 2019
Stallion Mountain Golf Club | Las Vegas, Nevada
Team – 1. Missouri Western State, 653 (313-340); 3. MSU Billings, 686 (306-380). Individuals – T1. Shi Qing Ong, MWSU, 159 (71-88); T1. Anna Bech, MWSU, 159 (81-78). 7. Tierney Messmer, MSUB, 169 (77-92); T8. Shealyn Hafer, MSUB, 170 (73-97); T8. Sarah Schroefel, MSUB, 170 (75-95); T20. Renae Heisler, MSUB, 181 (81-100); T24. Sydney Rochford, MSUB (IND), 183 (82-101); T26. Kinsey Irvin, MSUB, 184 (88-96).