By: Hayden Foltz, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Highlighting the Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's golf team at the RJGA Palm Valley Classic, the Yellowjackets shot a three-round season best 868 (289-294-285) including a single round team best (285) on the final round. In their three-round campaign, MSUB also had a season best (56) total birdies, and (3) eagles on the 7,015-yard par-72 course.
Not only were these season bests for the 'Jackets but their three-round score (868) ranks T-6
th All-Time in the MSUB record books which hadn't been done since 2017-18. The team's single round gross score of 285 also ranks T-13
th All-Time which hadn't been done since 2013-14. Lastly,
Kevin Kolb's (65) in the final round of the tournament ranks T-3
rd All-Time which hadn't been done since Austin Walter in 2016-17.
HEAR FROM BUIE: "The team is playing some solid golf right now, finishing three under par today (285). Competing in these big events with loaded competition is great preparation for the GNAC Championships coming up. I'm excited to get over to Coeur d'Alene and compete for a title."
Leading MSUB to a T-14
th place finish was
Paul O'Neil who finished T-23
rd amongst the 104 players, shooting a three-round career best 214 (69-75-70). Also shooting a career best and just one stroke behind O'Neil was
Carson Garner. Garner placed himself T-28
th overall and shaved off four strokes from his previous three-round total. Garner shot a 215 (72-73-70) which included eight total birdies and two eagles.
Next for the Yellowjackets was
Kevin Kolb who competed as an individual and was unfortunately unable to contribute to the team score. Kolb started off the tournament slow, shooting a 75 and a 78 on the first day of competition. Day two was a different story as Kolb tore apart Palm Valley Golf Club, shooting the third best single round in MSUB history (65). The seven-under performance was also a career low for Kolb which included nine total birdies. Kolb ended the tournament in T-43
rd with a total gross of 218 (75-78-65) which also was a personal best three-round score.
HEAR FROM BUIE: "Kevin had an incredible round today, one of the best in school history. He got hot and ended up making nine total birdies which is the most anyone has had in a single round all year."
Following Kolb was
Lucas Howell in T-61
st who came into the clubhouse with a total gross score of 2020 (76-70-74) including 11 total birdies and one eagle in the tournament. Just one stroke behind Howell was senior,
Liam O'Halloran who had a three-round score of 221 (72-77-72) and placed T-66
th overall. Rounding it out for the Yellowjackets was
Blake Finn in T-90
th and finished with a total gross score of 226 (77-76-73).
THE BUZZ
ROUND 1: Paul O'Neil was named Intermountain Health Player of the Day after posting a 69 (-3) with three birdies in the opening round of the RJGA Palm Valley Classic.
ROUND 2: Kevin Kolb was named Intermountain Health Player of the Day after posting a unbelievable 66 (-6) in the final round. Kolb led the whole field with his round three performance which included nine birdies!
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's golf team has a short break and will prepare for the GNAC Championships at Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course that is set to start on April 22
nd.
RJGA Palm Valley Classic
Results – April 9, 2024
Palm Valley Golf Club – Goodyear, Arizona
Team – 1. Colorado Christian, 827 (279-270-278); 15. MSUB, 868 (289-294-285).
Individuals – 1. Adam Niles, Western New Mexico - 203 (67-66-70); T-23.
Paul O'Neil, MSUB – 214 (69-75-70); T-28.
Carson Garner, MSUB - 215 (72-73-70); T-43.
Kevin Kolb (IND), MSUB - 218 (75-78-65); T-61.
Lucas Howell, MSUB - 220 (76-70-74); T-66.
Liam O'Halloran, MSUB - 221 (72-77-72); T-90.
Blake Finn, MSUB - 226 (77-76-73).
