LAUREL, Mont.- Highlighting the Beartooth Invitational at Laurel Golf Club, the Montana State University Yellowjacket men's and women's golf team placed themselves on the podium. Conditions were not easy as it rained and blew nonstop the whole third round of the tournament.

The Yellowjacket women placed 2^nd among the 8 teams competing, posting a three-round score of 317, 316, and 322. This resulted in a combined score of 955, just 6 strokes behind the Battlin' Bears. "The women's team posted some of the lowest scores I've seen in a few years for us," said head coach Adam Buie. "Today was especially impressive with the wind and rain making it tough, but all of them had good attitudes and grinded it out."
 
The individual results were the most shocking as there were four 'Jackets that tied for a 4^th place overall finish. Gia Vargas led the way for most of the tournament posting back-to-back 77's, followed by an 85 for a combined score of 239.
 
Tatum York-Bement, also with a three-round score of 239 played some of the most consistent golf of the bunch. York-Bement in her Yellowjacket debut put up an 80, 78, and an 81.
 
The third Yellowjacket with a score of 239 (80-81-78) was Hannah Adams. Adams posted the most birdies for the 'Jackets in the tournament with five.
 
Rounding out the four-way tie was Orraya Tipasathien also with a 239 (80-80-79). "Having four players tied for fourth was very cool. I don't think I have ever seen that many teammates tied like that before," said Buie.
 
Not far behind was another pair of Yellowjackets tied for 15^th overall. Meilyn Armstrong posted a three-round score of 254 (85-85-84). Matching Armstrong's score was Haylee Adams with a score of 254 (79-89-86). Also competing was Adessa Lundberg who tied for 31^st among the 44 golfers with a score of 272 (91-91-90). Rounding out the women was Chloe Van Strien in 40^th and posting a 288 (97-95-96).

The Yellowjacket men's "A" team shot a three-round score of 882 (291-293-298) and placed 3^rd among the field of 11 teams competing. The 'Jackets "B" team was not far behind, posting a score of 906 (301-305-300) and placing 6^th overall as a team. "The second team on the men's side ended up beating half of the field, which goes to show the amount of depth we have," said Buie. "The first team posted three good rounds under 300 even with the conditions not being ideal."
 
Leading the way from the "B" squad was Lucas Howell who tied for fourth place and posted a three-round score of 216 (71-75-70). "We had solid play top to bottom in the lineup, with Lucas especially having a strong week," said Buie. "He had a tough round in qualifying but redeemed himself when it counted in the event."
 
Following Howell was Liam O'Halloran who finished tied for 7^th place, with a score of 218 (72-73-73). "Liam is still playing some strong golf for us, and I was happy to see a 7^th place finish out of him," Buie stated. This was O'Halloran's best three-round tournament score, beating his previous record by 32 strokes.
 
Kevin Kolb was the third Yellowjacket finisher on the men's side, posting a three-round score of 222 (75-70-77) and tied for 13^th place among the 61 golfers. Following, was senior Blake Finn that tied for 17^th place with a score of 223 (72-77-74), and Carson Garner that tied for 19^th place with a score of 224 (72-76-76). Brady Cady tied for 22^nd and had a personal best three-round tournament score of 227 (78-74-75), beating his previous record of 228. Matching Brady's score was Paul O'Neil also tied for 22^nd with a score of 227 (75-76-76).
 
Also competing for the Yellowjacket men was Jarek Shepherd who shot a three-round score of 228 (75-78-75) that tied for 22^nd, Quinn Haigwood who posted a 235 (80-76-79) that tied for 36^th and rounding out the 'Jackets in his MSUB collegiate debut was Vuttichai Tharpanawongwech in 51^st place with a score of 253 (85-79-89).
 

BUIE'S THOUGHTS:
"All in all, it was a very good tournament for both teams. As far as the women's team goes, we have a deeper and stronger team this year and can get even better. Moving forward, the men have some time to rest up before the Mike Grob Cup and the women are ready to compete at the WWU Women's Invitational.
 

THE BUZZ
October 2^nd: Gia Vargas and Brady Cady were named Intermountain Health Players of the Day.
October 3^rd: Hannah Adams and Lucas Howell were named Intermountain Health Players of the Day.
 

COMING UP: The Yellowjacket women head to Bellingham, WA for the WWU Women's Invitational on October 9-10^th.