COEUR D'ALENE, Ida. — The Montana State University Billings golf teams closed out the 2026 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships with the men finishing fourth at 881 and the women placing fourth at 945, highlighted by a historic performance from
Pete Netrnilweerachot, whose runner-up finish marked the best individual performance at the GNAC Championships in MSUB golf history.
Competing at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course with the famous hole 14 island green, both Yellowjacket squads battled through deep, competitive fields, with the men squaring off against three nationally ranked programs and the women remaining in a tightly packed leaderboard throughout the three-day event.
Netrnilweerachot delivered one of the most impressive performances in program history, firing rounds of 69, 69, and 75 to finish at 213 and tie for second place overall. He held a share second place after each of the first two rounds and remained in contention down the stretch, ultimately finishing just one stroke shy of claiming the individual title. His effort not only set the program's top GNAC finish but also solidified one of the best GNAC Championship performances ever by a Yellowjacket.
"The men's team finished the year playing some of their best golf," head coach
Adam Buie said. "Pete was extremely impressive this week, finishing second place for the best finish in school history. The last day wan an absolute grind with the cold, wind, and rain. Pere is such a great kid and has worked really hard in his two years here, so it is very easy to root for him and see his hard work paying off."
Behind him,
Bowdie Fox turned in a strong showing, tying for 12th at 221 (73-71-77), while
Aubrey Kelley and
Mark Pramounmat each tied for 15th with totals of 224. Kelley was consistent throughout, including a second-round 71, and Pramounmat responded with a final-round 74 after a challenging middle round.
Kaopun Akmaneenin rounded out the lineup with a 237.
"Our first two rounds of 288-289 were solid for us, and our 304 in the final round with the conditions was very impressive," Buie said. "Bowdie, Mark, and Aubrey have been strong for us all spring and I told the men that if we can play like we have been the last three events, we can be an NCAA Tournament Team moving forward. The guys are excited for the future, getting better every time out on the course, and have a great attitude and work ethic that will keep them on an upward track."
As a team, the MSUB men opened with rounds of 288 and 289, placing them squarely in contention for a top three finish entering the final round. The Yellowjackets' steady play through 36 holes kept them within striking distance, but a 304 in the final round created separation as Saint Martin's and Simon Fraser edged ahead.
Western Washington claimed the team title at 855, followed by Saint Martin's (873) and Simon Fraser (876), with MSUB finishing just five strokes out of third place. Despite the final-round setback, the Yellowjackets demonstrated consistency and competitiveness against some of the top teams in the region.
On the women's side, the Yellowjackets women opened the tournament with back-to-back rounds of 309, holding their position in the middle of a tightly contested field. Entering the final round within striking distance of a top three finish, MSUB slipped to fourth after a 327 on the final day allowed Seattle Pacific and Western Washington to move ahead.
"The women's team left Coeur d'Alene a little disappointed," said Buie. "I thought back-to-back 309's were solid scores in the first two rounds, but with our conference getting stronger every year it left us in fourth. We were off to a good start in round three but made some big numbers after the turn. We just have to get better at playing in tough conditions.
Ella Tannenberger led the way with an eighth-place finish, posting rounds of 77, 76, and 79 for a total of 232. Her steady performance anchored MSUB's lineup and kept the team in the mix throughout the championship.
Orraya Jan Tipasathien followed with a 12th-place finish at 237 (77-76-84), while
Kyleigh McGowen placed 13th at 238.
Pygmy Kompoj added a tie for 16th with a 242, and
Emy Cambuzat completed the team scoring with a 247.
"Ella matched her 2025 performance with another T8th finish with three rounds in the 70's which was awesome to see," Buie said. "Jan played solid but faced some adversity with a controversial and untimely two-stroke penalty which was hard to overcome in Wednesday's conditions. Kyleigh, Pygmy, and Emy each contributed with rounds in the 70's but we just made too many big numbers at a team. We still had a great season and are hoping it ends on a positive note."
Simon Fraser secured the women's team title at 913, while MSUB finished just one stroke shy of third place, emphasizing how closely contested the standings remained from start to finish.
THE BUZZ: Pete Netrnilweerachot and
Ella Tannenberger were named Intermountain Health Players of the Tournament.
UP NEXT: With the conference championships complete, the Yellowjackets women will now await the NCAA selection show to see if they earn a berth into the NCAA West Region Championships.
"We knew we could solidify our fate and lock up an NCAA bid with at least a second-place finish, so now we have to wait and see what the committee decides," Buie said. "Hopefully on Sunday we are happy and advancing to the NCAA Regional Tournament."
