GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Wrapping up its final event before the 2022 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships on Tuesday at Palm Valley Golf Club, the Montana State University Billings women's golf team completed the RJGA Palm Valley Classic.
 
The Yellowjackets took 27th place among the 28 teams competing on the par-72, 6,045-yard course layout, shooting a two-round total of 650 (332-318). MSUB improved by 14 strokes between rounds, finishing the event with a 318 on Tuesday.
 
Senior Tierney Messmer led the Yellowjackets, shooting a two-round total of 158 (80-78) to finish in a tie for 82nd place. Messmer birdied her first hole of the tournament, and had nothing worse than a bogey across her 36 holes.
 
Fellow senior Kinsey Irvin placed 103rd among the field of 146 competitors, with a two-round score of 161 (80-81). Irvin's lone birdie at the event came on the par-4, 330-yard seventh hole in Round 1.
 
Jalen Wagner finished the event with a two-round score of 166 (86-80), and ended in 129th place. Wagner made 17 pars and a birdie to highlight her performance.
 
True freshman Meilyn Armstrong was the most improved Yellowjacket, cutting off nine strokes between rounds and finishing with a 169 (89-80) to take 139th place. Armstrong's best stretch of play came over her final nine holes, in which she made two birdies and carded a 2-over-par 38.
 
Completing the Yellowjacket lineup was Brennan Larson, who shot a 170 (85-85) and finished in 142nd place. Larson birdied the par-4, 305-yard first hole in each of her two rounds.
 
Northeastern State won the event, posting a two-round score of 588 (298-290). Faith Kilgore of Colorado Christian University was the individual medalist, with a two-round score of 137 (69-68) to claim the top spot in the field.
 
THE BUZZ: Armstrong was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…her 80 was her lowest score of the season, surpassing an 83 she recorded on Sept. 13 at the Saint Martin's Invitational.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets travel to the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho for the GNAC Championships, running April 18-19.
 
RJGA Palm Valley Classic
Final Results – April 2, 2022
Palm Valley Golf Club – Goodyear, Arizona
Team – 1. Northeastern State, 588 (298-290); 27. MSU Billings, 650 (332-318). Individuals – 1. Faith Kilgore, CCU, 137 (69-68); T82. Tierney Messmer, MSUB, 158 (80-78); T103. Kinsey Irvin, MSUB, 161 (80-81); T129. Jalen Wagner, MSUB, 166 (86-80); T139. Meilyn Armstrong, MSUB, 169 (89-80); 142. Brennan Larson, MSUB, 170 (85-85).