BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings men's and women's golf teams won the Mike Grob and Leslie Spalding Cups over Rocky Mountain College. The annual rivalry series concluded today after three days of match play in the Rimrock Rivalry. The Yellowjacket men won 13-7 and the Yellowjacket women won 8.5-7.5. The two trophies will now reside back in the 'Jackets trophy case in the Physical Education Building on MSUB's campus. 

Thursday – Best Ball 

Day 1 of the Grob and Spalding Cups was the only day where the Yellowjackets got in some trouble. The match-play style was at Laurel Golf Club on Thursday and was filled with cold temperatures and constant rain throughout the day. Freshman Orraya Tipasathien had to back out of day 1 after becoming ill, and without the potential of a point in the best ball format, the Yellowjacket women lost 3-1, with Adessa Lundburg and Gia Vargas pulling out a victory in their pair.  

The Yellowjacket men battled the conditions to end day 1 tied 2.5 to 2.5. With their clothes drenched from head-to-toe, golf gloves included, Paul O'Neil/Carson Garner and Brady Cady/Liam O'Halloran were each able to claim a point for MSUB. Quinn Haigwood and Vuttichai Tharpanawongwech halved to secure a half point. The 'Jackets were not content with their split on day 1, but after battling the elements, they were confident they would retain the cup with the remaining two days being at Lake Hills – the Yellowjackets home course, despite the cups being hosted by Rocky this year.  

Friday – Alternate Shot 

After leaving early due to illness on day 1, Tipasathien came back strong and got her revenge. Her and Chloe Van Strien defeated their partners 8&6, the most dominant victory of the weekend. Meilyn Armstrong and Haylee Adams also won and with Lundberg and Tatum York-Bement halving, the 'Jackets were able to grab 2.5 of the 4 possible points on the day. The women's team knew they were down by 1 point going into the final day, needing 5 points to win and 4.5 to tie the Cup. The 'Jackets coaching staff liked their chances, especially after individual pairings, and that confidence rolled over to the team on the final 18 of the competition on Saturday. 

The 'Jacket men had a huge 2nd day, backing up their confidence in themselves and taking 4 out of 5 points during the alternate shot competition. Garner and Cady continued their strong play with a 3&2 win, which was the same result for Lucas Howell and O'Halloran. Kevin Kolb and Blake Finn had a dramatic 1-up win, which was the same result for O'Neil and Jarek Shepherd. The 'Jackets were going into the final day up 6.5 to 3.5, only needing 4 of the final 10 points to win the Cup and bring the trophy back to MSUB's campus. The team had their sights set on bringing back the trophy, something the senior class is set on doing in their last Grob Cup of their careers. 

Saturday – Singles 

The final day was everything the Grob and Spalding Cup were created to be. The Yellowjackets and Battlin' Bears were set up for a dramatic finish and that is exactly what they provided, on the women's side. The men's golf team had another strong day, winning the cup 13-7, but each of the 10 singles match ups had some exciting moments with close finishes. Kolb and Finn had the most dominant wins, both winning 4&3 to end the round on hole 15. Garner and Shepherd also ended the round early, winning 2&1 which was the 4 points needed to take the team trophy. Cady and O'Neil both finished 1-up, bringing their team total on the day to 6 points, meaning their team again won the most matches. Tharpanawongwech halved bringing the team total to 13 points which was more than enough to win the Cup. 

The 'Jacket women filled the day with drama and excitement, something that this style of golf will usually bring. With 8 individual matches on the day, the 'Jackets needed at least 4.5 to tie, but 5 points would secure a victory and they did just that. Armstrong went into hole 17 with a 2-up lead, but her competition won the hole, which set up a dramatic finish at hole 18, right at the clubhouse. Both Armstrong and her competition had roughly a 20-foot putt for birdie, and it was the Yellowjacket senior who sank the putt, allowing the 'Jackets to celebrate and go home with the Leslie Spalding Cup.  

Armstrong put the finishing touch on the impressive day for the Yellowjackets, but it was a true team effort to grind out the win. Lundberg capped off her impressive weekend with a 3&2 win. Tipasathien had another dominant day, finishing with a point as she won 4&3. York-Bement won 2&1 and Vargas cruised to a 6&5 victory, allowing her to cheer on her teammates. The 5 outright victories on the day allowed the 'Jackets to win the Cup 8.5 to 7.5, securing a dramatic comeback and overcoming illnesses and other unfortunate circumstances. 

HEAR FROM COACH: 

"Very good days for both teams. There was a lot of good golf from both teams this week. Thursday was long, cold and wet at Laurel but the skies cleared today nicely," said Yellowjacket head coach Adam Buie. "Rocky has strong programs and is the class of the Frontier conference nearly every year. Their women's team came in 10th at NAIA Nationals last year and we got worked over pretty badly last year in the Spalding Cup so it speaks highly of how far we have come in a year. The Rocky men's team made a charge today and had a lot of matches close but we finished pretty strong to close it out."

THE BUZZ: Meilyn Armstrong is named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game. Armstrong made the final putt on 18 to secure the win for the Yellowjackets. Armstrong won her match 2-up. 

UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings golf teams have a quick turnaround as they host the Yellowjacket Fall Invitational at Lake Hills on Monday and Tuesday, October 16th and 17th.