BILLINGS, Mont. – Fresh off a season that featured multiple tournament championships, record-breaking performances, All-GNAC honors, and an NCAA Regional appearance, the Montana State University Billings golf programs enter the 2026-27 season with high expectations.
Now entering his sixth season at the helm, head coach
Adam Buie returns nearly every key contributor from both the men's and women's squads while adding two accomplished transfers in
Tanner Moody and
Maria Briceno. With veteran leadership, championship experience, and proven depth on both sides, the Yellowjackets are positioned for another successful year on the course.
Building on Program Momentum
The women's team continued its rise as one of the top programs in the GNAC, capturing two tournament championships while recording the lowest team scoring average in program history (312.8). MSUB also set school records for both 18-hole (298) and 36-hole (601) team scores while
Orraya Tipasathien advanced to the NCAA West Regional for another postseason appearance.
On the men's side, the Yellowjackets captured one tournament victory and earned a pair of runner-up finishes, including a second place showing at the Sapona Intercollegiate. The 'Jackets also posted one of the best rounds in school history with a six-under-par 282 at the Palm Valley Classic. The men's squad finished fourth at the GNAC Championships and saw
Pete Netrnilweerachot earn the best individual finish at the GNAC Tournament in school history.
With experienced veterans throughout both rosters, Buie believes the continuity within the program will be one of its greatest strengths entering 2026-27.
Preseason Outlook
Both teams open the fall season September 13-15 at the Travis Roy Memorial Invitational in Sheridan, Wyoming.
The women will compete in five fall tournaments, highlighted by the annual Yellowjacket Fall Invitational at Lake Hills Golf Course on October 4-6. Additional events include the Travis Roy Memorial Invite, the Westminster Wasatch Invitational, South Dakota Mines Hardrocker Invitational, and Midwestern State Invitational.
The men's team will also begin at the Travis Roy Memorial before traveling to the Kevin Bishop Invitational and Western Washington Fall Invitational prior to hosting the Yellowjacket Fall Invitational in Billings.
Key Newcomers
The Yellowjackets welcome two experienced transfers who have already demonstrated collegiate success.
Tanner Moody, junior (Vancouver, Wash.) – Moody transfers from Lewis & Clark College after earning the team's Most Improved Player award during the 2025-26 season. He competed in eight tournaments as a sophomore, posted three par-or-better rounds, and recorded career bests of 70 (-2) for 18 holes and 142 (-2) over 36 holes at the Pines Cup. Moody also earned a spot in Lewis & Clark's Northwest Conference Championship lineup after finishing fifth on the team in scoring average.
Maria Briceno, junior (Villahermosa, Mexico) – Briceno joins the women's program after two standout seasons at Ohio Dominican. A former Female Newcomer of the Year, she competed in the NCAA East Regional and owns career lows of 71 for 18 holes, 149 for 36 holes, and 234 for 54 holes. Last season she finished second on her team with an 80.1 scoring average while recording three top 25 finishes, including a runner-up performance at the Pawley's Island Beach Bash.
Returning Women's Core
Senior,
Orraya Tipasathien returns after earning First Team All-GNAC honors for the second consecutive season. She led MSUB with a 77.16 scoring average while collecting two tournament victories, five top five finishes, and six top 10 finishes. After making her second straight appearance at the NCAA West Region Tournament as an individual, Tipasathien looks to lead the Yellowjackets to a team qualification this season.
Ella Tannenberger, junior, also returns after a Second Team All-GNAC season in which she averaged 77.45, recorded four top five finishes, and five top 10 finishes while matching the team's low round of even-par 72.
Kyleigh McGowen, the reigning GNAC Newcomer of the Year, enters her senior season after averaging 79.82 and recording two top 10 finishes during her first year as a Yellowjacket.
The experienced lineup continues with
Pygmy Kompoj, who averaged 80.58 while adding a top five finish and another top 10,
Rachel Rerick, who produced an 84.00 scoring average with a top five finish, and
Emy Cambuzat, who competed in eight events during her freshman season and averaged 81.88.
Sophomore
Hanna Boyd gained valuable collegiate experience in six tournaments as a freshman, while senior
Chloe Van Strien provides veteran leadership entering her final season.
Returning Men's Core
Senior
Bowdie Fox returns after averaging 75.20 while recording eight rounds under par, highlighted by a pair of 68s and a victory at the Palm Valley Classic. Fox also earned multiple top 10 finishes throughout the season and established himself as one of the team's leaders.
Junior
Pete Netrnilweerachot is back following another outstanding campaign that included a 74.95 scoring average and seven rounds under par. He finished runner-up individually at the GNAC Championships and recorded multiple rounds in the 60s during the season.
Sophomore
Aubrey Kelley returns after averaging 74.52 and recording four rounds in the 60s, including a season-best 69. Sophomore
Mark Pramounmat enjoyed an impressive freshman season, averaging 75.09 while posting four rounds in the 60s, including a career-best 68.
Senior
Ryder Conner made an immediate impact during his first season at MSUB, leading the team with a 74.50 scoring average over four tournaments while recording two top five finishes. The Yellowjackets also welcome back
Kaopun Akmaneenin,
Payton Black,
Ryan Badger, and
Cameron Hackmann, each of whom gained valuable experience throughout last season and add important depth to an experienced lineup.
Women's Fall Schedule
- Sept. 13-15: Travis Roy Memorial Invitational (Sheridan, Wyo.)
- Sept. 20-21: Westminster Wasatch Invitational (Salt Lake City, Utah)
- Oct. 4-6: Yellowjacket Fall Invitational (Billings, Mont.)
- Oct. 12-13: South Dakota Mines Hardrocker Invitational (Rapid City, S.D.)
- Oct. 19-20: Midwestern State Invitational (Wichita Falls, Texas)
Men's Fall Schedule
- Sept. 13-15: Travis Roy Memorial Invitational (Sheridan, Wyo.)
- Sept. 25-26: Kevin Bishop Invitational (DuPont, Wash.)
- Sept. 28-29: Western Washington Fall Invitational (Bellingham, Wash.)
- Oct. 4-6: Yellowjacket Fall Invitational (Billings, Mont.)
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