DuPONT, Wash.. – The Montana State University Billings men's golf team finished the Saint Martin's Invitational – a three-round tournament at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington. Senior Carson Garner led the Yellowjackets, finishing in T-20^th place while shooting 220 (+4).
 
The Home Course is no stranger to the Yellowjackets as they usually compete in multiple tournaments there each year. As a team, the 'Jackets shot 894 over the two-day tournament, consisting of two full rounds on day 1. The 'Jackets shot 296 in the first round, following by 295 and 303 to close out the tournament which was filled with west-region teams – teams that the 'Jackets could see in the postseason.
 
On day 1, Carson Garner and Liam O'Halloran led the 'Jackets, each shooting par (72) in round 1. Lucas Powell (+2) finished as the third Yellowjacket in the first round, followed by Kevin Kolb (+4) and Blake Finn (+6). In round two, O'Halloran led the way, once again shooting a 72, followed by Finn (+1), Kolb and Howell (+3) and Garner (+4).
 
On the final day of the tournament, the 'Jackets went into the day in 11^th place with 18 holes to go. Garner led the final day of the Invite with a 72, followed by Kob with a 76, O'Halloran with a 77, Howell with a 78 and Finn with an 80. On a day that had higher scores for almost every team, the 'Jackets were able to improve and finish in T-9^th place.
 
Garner was the Yellowjackets top finisher with a three-round score of 72-76-72 (220). Garner was closely followed by teammates O'Halloran 72-72-78 (222), Kolb 76-75-76 (227), Howell 74-75-78 (227) and Finn 78-73-80 (231).
 
The senior-heavy 'Jackets will look to use their experience, both mental and physical, to make a run to the NCAA West Regionals in May of 2024. The Saint Martin's Invitational was a great test to start the season, competing against all four GNAC foes and a total of 8 west region opponents. The 'Jackets will continue their road trip as they head up to Bellingham, Washington to compete in the WWU Invitational – a tournament that will again consist of some top teams in the west region.
 
Simon Fraser won the team tournament title, finishing with a team score of -4. The top finisher was Easton Hether from Cal State East Bay, who finished -6 on the tournament.
 
THE BUZZ: Carson Garner was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Day. Garner was the top Yellowjacket, finishing the 3^rd round with an impressive par-72 which allowed him to finish in T-20^th place.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets head up to Bellingham, Washington and will compete in the WWU Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 25^th and 26^th. Live results can be followed here and all tournament information can be found on the tournament website here.