LAS VEGAS – Payton Stott turned in his best round yet as a Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket, with a 2-under-par 70 in the final round of the Minot State University Beaver Invitational on Saturday at Aliante Golf Club.
 
The junior bettered his scores on Friday by 10 strokes, and finished in a tie for 15th place with a three-round score of 230 (80-80-70) on the par-72, 6,960-yard course. Stott's marked improvement was a trend up and down MSUB's lineup, as all five players contributed their best score of the tournament on Saturday. The Yellowjackets saved their best round for last, with a 305 in the final round to move one spot up the leaderboard. Overall MSUB finished in seventh place among the field of 10 teams, with a three-round score of 963 (331-327-305).
 
"I am happy that the men had an improved round, and it is a step in the right direction," said MSUB head coach Jeff Allen. "We still have a lot of work to do, but with a few more days down here we should be able to get there more consistently."
 
Stott's round featured five birdies, including a string of four over the course of five holes on the back-nine. He also birdied the first hole, after a solid drive and a 125-yard approach shot that he stuck to two feet. "I was happy with Payton's performance today," Allen commented on the junior. "He showed some good leadership, and he played to his potential today. I look forward to him getting there a lot more consistently."
 
Garrett Woodin wound up in a tie for 18th place, with a three-round total of 232 (81-77-74).
 
Sophomore Logan Martin broke through the 80 threshold, and jumped to 42nd place with a final tournament score of 250 (85-87-78).
 
Caleb Trost matched his best round from Friday with another 83, and took a tie for 43rd place with a final score of 251 (85-83-83).
 
Sophomore Riley Kaercher moved up two spots on the leaderboard on Saturday, finishing in 49th place with a score of 258 (87-87-84).
 
Logan Skalka of Westminster College rallied to win the tournament, as he edged Day 1 leader Isaac Westlake of Winona State University by a single stroke. Skalka finished with a 217 (78-71-68), with his final round score standing as the lowest of the tournament and one of just three total sub-70 rounds.
 
Skalka's big effort helped Westminster claim the team title with a three-round score of 901 (318-292-291), as it edged second-place Winona State by just four strokes.
 
"Overall everybody made some strides with their game," said Allen. "You could tell they are still a little rusty around the greens, but we will have two good days of practice and get ready for the next event Tuesday."
 
THE BUZZ: Stott was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…his previous low round as a Yellowjacket was a 72, achieved in two different rounds during the Yellowjacket Fall Invite in September.
 
NEXT UP: The 'Jacket men begin the Winona State Warrior Invitational next week in Las Vegas, with play running Tuesday-Wednesday at Stallion Mountain Golf Club. Next week's event will be a two-round tournament.
 
Minot State University Beaver Invitational
Final Results | March 9, 2019
Aliante Golf Club | Las Vegas, Nevada
 
Team – 1. Westminster College, 901 (318-292-291); 7. MSU Billings, 963. Individuals – 1. Logan Skalka, WMC, 217 (78-71-68); T15. Payton Stott, MSUB, 230 (80-80-70); T18. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 232 (81-77-74); 42. Logan Martin, MSUB, 250 (85-87-78); T43. Caleb Trost, MSUB, 251 (85-83-83); 49. Riley Kaercher, MSUB, 258 (87-87-84).