MSUB SPORTS – The best players in the relatively recent history of the Yellowjacket women's golf program competed during the 2010s decade, as the team has steadily improved over its 20 seasons of competition.
 
The top-17 players in terms of career scoring average all competed primarily during the most recent decade, and the top-10 were selected to the all-decade list.
 
"It's an honor to know and have coached the majority of the women on this list. The thing that really makes me proud of the MSUB program and what we strive for is that all but two of these selections are women from Montana. That is very important to the culture of MSUB golf, to find and recruit the best players that Montana and the surrounding states have to offer." – Jeff Allen, third-year MSUB golf head coach.
 

Day	Release
Monday, October 26, 2020	No. 5 Golfer
Tuesday, October 27, 2020	No. 4 Golfer
Wednesday, October 28, 2020	No. 3 Golfer
Thursday, October 29, 2020	No. 2 Golfer
Friday, October 30, 2020	No. 1 Golfer & Full Roster

 

---

Bailee Dexter
Hometown: Townsend, Montana
Playing Years: 2014-2018 (4 seasons)
 
One of the most decorated players in program history, Dexter was a steady model of consistency throughout her four years with the Yellowjackets.
 
Contributing immediately as a freshman, Dexter played in every event in her debut season and went on to tie the school records for most events (35) and rounds (68). She also ranks third in program history with a career scoring average of 80.15 strokes per round.
 
Dexter twice finished in the top-10 at the GNAC Championships and was twice a second-team all-conference selection. She also earned three GNAC Player of the Week awards and was twice picked as the MSUB Women's Golf Player of the Year at the Buzzies. Her 13 top-10 finishes in her career are tied for second-most in school history.
 
Dexter became just the fourth player in program history to post an under-par round, when she shot a 1-under-par 71 on Sept. 26, 2017 at the Western New Mexico Mustang Invitational. That led her to a two-round total of 151, one off her career best of 150. Overall she has three of the top-13 two-round scores in program history.
 
Dexter was just as prolific in the classroom as she was on the course, earning Women's Golf Coaches Association Scholar All-American honors during her senior year. She was also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District pick, a three-time academic all-GNAC selection, and was selected as the MSUB Scholar Athlete of the Year as a senior.
 
Dexter on her fondest MSUB memories: "Going to the GNAC Championships every year with my incredible teams. I often think back to the different tournaments we went to every year and all of the places we got to go. The practice round days were my favorite: Playing with my team, familiarizing ourselves with the course together, and literally laughing our way through the entire round. Thank you, Shealyn Hafer and Sammy Walter."
 
Kevin Woodin (Dexter's Head Coach 2016-18): "Bailee was a blast to coach. She worked so hard on her game both in and out of season, and was very consistent. She was an excellent competitor and had an impressive all-around game."
 
Jeff Allen (Dexter's Assistant Coach 2016-18): "Bailee was a great all-around athlete which really helped her succeed in golf. I can't say I've met many people who are more well-rounded in all areas of their life than Bailee Dexter. She was a great player, captain, and student during her time at MSUB, and left a lasting imprint on me as a coach and most importantly, on this program."
 
Where is she now? Dexter resides in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where she works in guest services at the familiar site of the GNAC Championships – the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.


 

---

  Shealyn Hafer
Hometown: Butte, Montana
Playing Years: 2015-2019 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Larson, Hafer Aces In The Hole For MSUB Golf

Earning second-team all-conference in three of her four years in the program, Hafer was one of the Yellowjackets' top players over four seasons during the decade.
 
Hafer's career started with a hole-in-one during her freshman season at the Dixie State Invitational, and she steadily improved over the next three seasons. Hafer cut five full strokes off her scoring average between her freshman and sophomore seasons, and tied for the team lead with a mark of 80.2 strokes per round as a junior in 2017-18.
 
Hafer then posted the ninth-best single-season scoring average in school history as a senior, averaging 79.65 strokes per round in 2018-19. That was good enough to crack the top-10 in the league, and she finished her career taking 11th overall at the 2019 GNAC Championships.
 
Hafer's career scoring average of 80.97 strokes per round is fifth best in MSUB history, and her 68 rounds and 35 events played are tied for most in MSUB history. Hafer was also a two-time GNAC Player of the Week selection, and was named the MSUB Female Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2019.
 
In addition to her athletic success, Hafer was a standout in the classroom as she was a three-time academic all-GNAC selection as well.


 
Hafer on her MSUB career: "The majority of my fondest memories were spent with my golf team and on our golf trips. To me the golf team wasn't just my team and the golf trips weren't just trips. The team was my family and the golf trips were of course to compete and succeed, but also to spend time with my favorite people in some amazing places."
 
Kevin Woodin (Hafer's Head Coach 2016-18): "Shealyn was a solid player who had an excellent and consistent career. Shealyn truly cared about her teammates and she did a lot both on and off the course to make our program better. She was a tough-minded player, and she gave it her best every round."
 
Jeff Allen (Hafer's Assistant Coach 2016-18, Head Coach 2018-19): "Shealyn was great at playing her own game. She found the best way to make her game fit each golf course we played and she got the most out of her game each day. She was a player, teammate, and captain that wore her heart on her sleeve and she never shied away from that. In my time with the program, she definitely left a positive impact."
 
Where is she now? Hafer resides in Missoula, where she is an eighth grade special education teacher at Meadow Hill Middle School.
 

---

Sammy Walter
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Playing Years: 2014-2018 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: Walters' World: Sibiling Connection Deeply Rooted In 'Jacket Athletics

Walter stood out on the course over four competitive seasons for the 'Jackets, becoming one of the best to ever compete at MSUB.
 
She was twice selected second-team all-conference, and her career scoring average of 80.77 strokes per round is fifth-lowest in program history. Walter got off to a good start, leading MSUB in scoring average at 81.2 strokes per round as a freshman in 2014-15. She finished tied for 10th at the GNAC Championships, and was named the MSUB Women's Golf Player of the Year at the Buzzies.
 
Walter earned her first of two GNAC Player of the Week honors early in her junior year, after an historic performance at the Western Washington Invitational. Walter opened with a 1-under-par 72, marking the fourth-best single-round score in school history. She followed with a 74 in Round 2, tying the school record for two-round total with a 146. That performance was good enough to tie for first place at the event, which featured a field of 73 players.
 
Walter capped her career with another top-10 finish at the conference tournament, taking ninth place in the spring of 2018.


 
Walter on her favorite MSUB memories: "Building a family and friendships that I'll never let go of. Now that I've been out for a few years, I find myself thinking about those memories with my team almost daily. It's such a special gift to be able to travel the country with people you're so close with and to share a sport like golf with everyone that you're surrounded by."
 
Kevin Woodin (Walter's Head Coach 2016-18): "Sammy had great success during her career and was a key four-year player in our program. Her length off the tee was a key part of her game, and when she was on she was one of the very best players in the GNAC."
 
Jeff Allen (Walter's Assistant Coach 2016-18): "Sammy was a player who could simply overpower a golf course. She could naturally hit the ball farther than anyone, which was a great advantage. Sammy also had a great mental approach to the game, and she was never a player that got too stressed or overthought things during tournaments. She would simply go about her business on the course and compete to the best of her ability. Having Sammy as one of our captains, we couldn't have asked for better leadership for our young players."
 
Where is she now? Walter resides in Billings where she runs her own baking and pastry business, Sweets By Sam.

---

  Kortney McNeil
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Playing Years: 2015-2017 (2 seasons)
 
Feature Story: New Faces: MSUB Golf Freshman Kortney McNeil

Although she played just two seasons with the Yellowjackets, McNeil had a major impact on the women's golf program both as a teammate and within the record books. She was selected second-team all-conference in each of her two seasons with the Yellowjackets, was a two-time GNAC Player of the Week, and participated in the GNAC Championships in each of her seasons.
 
McNeil's final round as a Yellowjacket was one of her best, as she shot a 2-over-par 73 at the 2017 GNAC Championships to solidify a tie for third place among the individual leaderboard. That helped the 'Jackets tie for third place as a team at the event.
 
McNeil started her career with a bang, setting the school record for two-round score with a 146 on Sept. 28-29, 2015 at the NCAA D2 National Preview tournament. McNeil's performance included a 1-under-par 71 in the opening round, marking the second-lowest single-round score in MSUB history. After playing 35 rounds in her two seasons, McNeil has the lowest career scoring average in school history at 79.03 strokes per round.


 
McNeil on her MSUB career: "My fondest memories of my time at MSUB would have to be how close each team was that I was a part of. Most of the girls were from Montana and we had grown up golfing against each other. It was awesome to become a team and compete at the collegiate level."
 
Kevin Woodin (McNeil's Head Coach 2015-17): "I had known Kortney for years and although she only played a couple of years at MSUB, she had a huge impact on the women's golf program. Kortney really knew how to compete and play her best under pressure."
 
Jeff Allen (McNeil's Assistant Coach 2016-17): "Kortney is one of the more talented players MSUB has ever had. She came to college with an extreme amount of competitive experience, thanks to her years of tournaments as a junior and high school golfer. That tournament experience transferred to the college game right away, and she made an immediate impact on our team. Her time at MSUB was short, but she improved the quality of our program."
 
Where is she now? McNeil recently graduated from Montana State University with a degree in cell biology and neuroscience. She resides in Billings, where she works at Advanced Care Hospital of Montana as she continues on her path towards becoming a physician assistant.
 

---

Katie Fish
Hometown: Great Falls, Montana
Playing Years: 2011-2014 (4 seasons)
 
Feature Story: A Great Catch: The Fish Sisters

A two-time second-team all-GNAC selection, Fish was a key member of MSUB's top performing teams during the decade. The Yellowjackets finished in second place in the GNAC four years in-a-row, the first three of which Fish was part of.
 
Fish ranks sixth in school history with a career scoring average of 82.2 strokes per round, and she competed in 59 rounds during her MSUB career. Her mark of 78.6 strokes per round during her eight-round 2014 fall season stood out as the third-best single-season mark in school history. She was also a two-time academic all-conference selection.
 

---

Melissa Saken
Hometown: Alberta, British Columbia
Playing Years: 2010-2014 (4 seasons)
 
Starting her career off with a bang, Saken was named the GNAC Freshman of the Year in 2010-11, and placed 13th at the GNAC Championships. She was a three-time second-team all-conference selection, and was twice named the MSUB Women's Golf Player of the Year.
 
Saken notched a career scoring average of 82.56 strokes per round, good enough to rank her seventh among MSUB's all-time leaders. Saken's 31 events played are fourth most in school history, and her 63 rounds played are sixth most. She was a two-time GNAC Player of the Week, and an academic all-conference selection as well.
 

---

Tierney Messmer
Hometown: Sidney, Montana
Playing Years: 2018-20 (2 seasons)


Currently a junior on MSUB's roster, Messmer has emerged into a key leader over the first two seasons of her Yellowjacket career. She ranked third on the team as a freshman in 2018-19 with a scoring average of 82.39 strokes per round, and her overall average of 82.69 strokes per round is eighth-best in program history. Messmer was named the MSUB Women's Golf Player of the Year after the shortened 2019-20 campaign.
 
Jeff Allen (Messmer's Head Coach 2018-20): "Tierney is a player that was relied on heavily as a true freshman. That experience has helped turn her into a great player and leader for our program. Having Tierney and Kinsey Irvin in the same class is not only great for our current team, but for the future of our program as a whole."


 

---

Haley Shackelford
Hometown: Gillette, Wyoming
Playing Years: 2013-2017 (4 seasons)
 
A four-year standout and humble two-year captain, Shackelford steadily improved and emerged into a key player in the MSUB lineup over the course of her career. Shackelford earned second-team all-GNAC as a sophomore in 2014-15, and was a three-time academic all-conference selection. Her career scoring average of 82.85 strokes per round ranks ninth in school history.
 
Jeff Allen (Shackelford's Assistant Coach 2016-17): "Haley was captain of the first team that I was an assistant coach for. She was a very hard worker and was a captain that wasn't real vocal but led by example. She played her best golf during her senior year, which was a great indication of her hard work."


 

---

Capri Ingram
Hometown: Livingston, Montana
Playing Years: 2010-2014 (4 seasons)
 
Like Shackelford, Ingram was a dedicated four-year player who emerged into a team leader by her senior seasons. Ingram's career culminated with second-team all-conference honors her senior season, after she finished in fourth place at the GNAC Championships to lead the team to a second place overall finish. Ingram ranks 10th in school history with a career scoring average of 82.97 strokes per round.
 

---

 
September 29, 2015 – Recap | Results | MSUB broke the school record for two-round total, shooting a 610 which included the school record for single-round score with a 297. The team tied for seventh place among a field of 20 teams at the highly-competitive national preview meet. At the same event, Kortney McNeil came within one stroke of the program single-round record, shooting a 71 in the opening round. In a field of 99 golfers, McNeil tied for eighth place and broke the school record for a two-round score with a 146 (71-75).
 
"My greatest individual moment athletically would have to be when I was a top-10 finisher at the NCAA national preview tournament and shot one round under par. As a freshman, I was very proud of myself to be competing with some of the best D2 golfers in the nation." – Kortney McNeil.
 

---

September 8, 2010 – Recap | Results | MSUB won the Yellowjacket Invitational, topping a field of five teams to claim the crown.
 
March 18, 2011 – Recap | Results | The 'Jackets defended their fall title, winning their spring invitational by 10 strokes among a group of five teams.
 
March 16, 2012 – Recap | Results | MSUB won its spring invitational, blowing away a field of six teams by 12 strokes.
 
March 25, 2012 – Recap | Results | The 'Jackets won the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolf Invitational, holding off second-place Colorado Mesa by a single stroke.
 
March 15, 2013 – Recap | Results | MSUB won its spring invitational, running away from a field of eight teams with a 24-stroke victory.
 
September 13, 2013 – Recap | Results | The 'Jackets won their eight-team fall invitational in record-breaking fashion, as they established a program best team single-round score of 298 in Round 2. The team's two-round total of 616 was also a school record at the time, and currently stands as the third-lowest team tournament score in school history.
 
October 3, 2014 – Recap | Results | MSUB won its fall invitational by a whopping 48 strokes, as seven Yellowjackets finished in the top-10 at the event.
 
March 31, 2015 – Recap | Results | The 'Jackets made it another season sweep of their invitationals, claiming the spring team title by a landslide 45-stroke win.
 
"The second half of my freshman year was pretty exhilarating. I never really felt like I earned my spot since we had lost two great girls, but I think that's what pushed me even harder. I wasn't sure I'd ever get over those college freshman jitters, so to play well that spring season really boosted my confidence throughout my career." – Sammy Walter on settling into MSUB's rotation as a freshman in the 2014-15 season.


 
October 9, 2015 – Recap | Results | MSUB swept the top-six individual spots, and won its fall invitational by 101 strokes. The team's two-round total of 619 at the event was sixth lowest in school history.


 
October 3, 2016 – Recap | Results | The 'Jackets shot the second-lowest two-round total in school history, firing a 613 (307-306) to place second at the Battlin' Bear Invitational. All five of the players in MSUB's lineup finished in the top-10, led by Dexter who took second.


 
March 11, 2017 – Recap | Results | MSUB won a jointly-hosted event in Las Vegas, handily topping a field of six teams with a 42-stroke victory. The entire team lineup finished in the top-eight at the event.
 
 
March 28, 2017 – Recap | Results | The 'Jackets won their spring invitational by 38 strokes, shooting the fifth-lowest two-round score in program history with a 618 (308-310).
 
April 17, 2018 – Recap | Results | MSUB won its spring invitational by 17 strokes, with a two-round score of 637 (315-322).
 
October 6, 2018 – Recap | Results | Facing five of its six conference competitors, MSUB won the Saint Martin's Invitational team title by a convincing 14 strokes over second-place Simon Fraser. Four Yellowjackets finished in the top-10 including three in the top-five.
 
"The fondest memory from the decade that I have is from when I was an assistant coach and the women's team won the Saint Martin's Invite. The weather was poor which made a long golf course even longer. It rained the entire first round to the point that relief from standing water was needed on some greens, and it was a true test of mental toughness and heart. The girls came up with a game plan for that golf course, prepared properly, and stuck to that plan which paid off with the team victory. We had huge performances from senior Shealyn Hafer and freshmen Kinsey Irvin and Tierney Messmer to help us get that team victory." – Jeff Allen.
 

---

September 8, 2010 – Stanhope won the first tournament of the decade, topping a field of 35 competitors and leading the 'Jackets to the team title.
 
March 18, 2011 – Stanhope claimed her second tournament win of the season, beating a field of 34 players and helping the 'Jackets defend their fall invitational title.
 
March 27, 2011 – Recap | Results | Melissa Saken won the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolf Invitational, firing a two-round score of 157 (78-79) to best a field of 47 players.
 
September 26, 2011 – Recap | Results | Stanhope won for the third time in the decade, this time in record-setting fashion as her 1-under-par 70 in Round 2 of the Battlin' Bear Invitational was the lowest in program history. Stanhope shot a three-round total of 219 (72-70-77), to win by a single stroke among a field of 52 players.
 
March 16, 2012 – Stanhope won yet another Yellowjacket Invitational title, cruising to a six-stroke victory among a field of 35 players.
 
March 25, 2012 – Stanhope won her second straight event, piloting the 'Jackets to the CSU-Pueblo Thunderwolf Invitational title. Her two-round score of 149 (72-77) tied for the fifth-lowest in school history.
 
April 23, 2013 – Recap | Results | Saken finished third at the GNAC Championships, tying for the highest-ever finish by an MSUB golfer at the conference event.
 
April 22, 2014 – Recap | Results | Ingram took fourth place at the GNAC Championships, helping the Yellowjackets to a second-place finish as a team at the conference event.
 
October 3, 2014 – Shackelford tied for first place at the Yellowjacket fall invitational, shooting a two-round score of 153 (75-78) which is tied for 18th best in school history.
 
October 5, 2015 – Recap | Results | Hafer aced the par-3 15th hole at Sand Hollow Golf Club in Hurricane, Utah in the opening round of the Dixie State Invitational.
 
October 11, 2016 – Recap | Results | Playing against a stacked west region field of 73 players, Walter tied for second place by shooting an even-par 146 to tie McNeil's school record for lowest two-round total. Walter had rounds of 72 and 74, and it is the only even-par tournament score in MSUB history.
 
April 23, 2017 – Recap | Results | In her final career round, McNeil fired a 73 to vault to a tie for third place at the GNAC Championships.
 
April 17, 2018 – Dexter claimed the individual title at the Yellowjacket Spring Invitational, with a two-round score of 155 to win by four strokes over teammate Walter.
 
"Honestly, just the fact that I played a collegiate sport. When I was growing up, it seemed to be such a big deal and a big feat I always dreamed of accomplishing. Now that it has passed and doesn't seem to me as big of deal as I am now immersed in the reality of adult life, there are moments especially working with people at the golf course where my days at MSUB creep back into conversation. It's these moments that make me feel so grateful for my experiences and proud that I accomplished what I did at MSUB both athletically and academically." – Bailee Dexter on what she is most proud of in her athletic career.
 
April 24, 2018 – Recap | Results | Hafer capped off her junior year by tying for fourth place at the GNAC Championships, shooting a two-round score of 153 (75-78) at the conference's signature event.
 
"There are several rounds or events that I could refer to, but I think the one that stands out to me is what Shealyn Hafer did in her senior season, which was also my first season as head coach. She elevated her game to a level that it had never been at, when her team needed it the most. Her consistency that season and how reliable she was to play well was great, and motivated her teammates to exceed their own expectations." – Jeff Allen.
 

---

A common theme among the women's all-decade performers is the significant growth both on the course as players and off the course as leaders many of the players experienced during their time as Yellowjackets. The vast majority of all-decade selections captained their respective teams at various points throughout the 2010s, and they reflected on the impact being in that leadership role has had on their lives.
 
"My freshman year we drove down to Chadron State and won the tournament for the first time in school history. We had great upperclassman leadership and young talent. All of the girls on the traveling five were from Montana that year. That same team

also qualified for the NCAA regional tournament, which is still the only time in school history. If I hadn't attended MSUB, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet those life-long friends. I met my husband, who also golfed and now coaches for the 'Jackets." – Kalli (Stanhope) Allen.
 
"Throughout my four years on the golf team I was fortunate enough to have had great teammates who were easy to get along with. My teammates were always my family. What stood out the most to me was how much fun we had and how much we laughed. Out of all the teams at every tournament it seemed like we always had the most fun and the best team chemistry. The MSUB education program and those involved in that program prepared me for my career today. I had an amazing education experience at MSUB and truly feel after graduating that I was ready to walk into a classroom and put what I learned to use. The women's golf team shaped me into the leader, competitor, and teammate I am today in all aspects of my life whether it be at my job or at home. The MSUB women's golf team has given me some of the greatest friendships that will last a lifetime. My golf coach, Jeff Allen, always reminded us to enjoy the moment you're in and that is something that I have carried with me and will continue to carry with me throughout life." – Shealyn Hafer.
 
"When I graduated college, I moved out to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Maybe I would have discovered the Coeur d'Alene Resort another way, but because our GNAC championship was held here every year, I always told myself that I wanted to live here every time I visited. Now, I live here and have an amazing community of friends and am really involved in the church and that has always been more of my heart's desire than pursuing a career. Yes, I am still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do, but I am so glad that I am in a place that I really love surrounded by people I really love. I feel so grateful for my experience at MSUB and for the opportunity to travel all over the country. I never knew how much of a love I had for travel until I did it every fall and spring for four years at MSUB. In 2019, I spent an entire year in Honduras helping out with a church down there. I think that getting to do so much travel in college gave me the courage and desire to continue to go do it for a year after graduating rather than settling into a career and regular life right away. Again, my golf career gave me so much more confidence and courage in myself and I am so grateful and blessed that I got the opportunity to experience it." – Bailee Dexter.
 
"I think just the bond we had on and off the course. Living together, going to school together, and spending so much time together in the sport and there were truly never any bad moments! We had so much fun together, always laughing, and we really knew how to lift each other up when we needed it most. We couldn't have landed anyone better than Jeff and Kevin as coaches. Being able to learn from them was something I'm super grateful for, as an athlete and a person. I know that I'm biased, but truly think everyone needs to learn the game of golf at least once in their life. It's so much more than a game. It teaches you respect, honesty, integrity and there's honestly no greater mental challenge than to play a game with just you and your own head. It's taught me to work harder than I ever thought I could in my career, and on top of that it's a sport that I get to play and appreciate for the rest of my life. I'm so thankful MSUB gave me the chance to continue the sport for four more years." – Sammy Walter.  

---

About the All-Decade Project
The top student-athletes from each of Montana State University Billings' current varsity athletic teams from 2010-2019 have been selected, and 14 all-decade teams will be revealed throughout the course of the fall of 2020. Each sport's all-decade team is comprised of the top-performing student-athletes, with weight given to individual athletic achievement and accolades, team achievement, academic achievement, as well as community service. For more information on MSUB's all-decade project, and to view each sport's all-decade teams, view the all-decade project webpage online here.