(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
ANACONDA – Montana State jumped two spots in the team standings during the final 18 holes of tournament play to place third overall at the Battle at Old Works on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Old Works Golf Course.
The Bobcat women’s golf team used a score of 297 in the final round to move from fifth to third out of eight teams in the standings. Montana State’s three-round score of 932 (319-316-297) pushed the Bobcats past fourth place Weber State (935) and fifth place Cal State Fullerton (937).
MSU’s third round stroke total tied for the team’s 10th best 18-hole round score in program history. The Bobcats led the tournament field on Par 3s with an average score of 3.48.
“Obviously to finish low on the final day is a goal,” Montana State Brittany Basye said. “The key word is consistency and a couple of the girls hit that. We hit the ball well yesterday, we just couldn’t make any putts. I knew we couldn’t probably get first or second, so our goal was to finish third and the girls brought it.
“They shot a 297, which anything under 300, that’s very respectable. We made some putts, got some confidence and I think this was a good step forward.”
The Bobcats had four golfers in their lineup finish in the 70s during Tuesday’s final round.
Junior Delaney Elliott led the charge with an even-par 72. She was closely followed by fellow juniors Kelly Hooper (74), Lilly Navarre (75) and Coral Schulz (76). Freshman Hailey Oster rounded out the contingent with an 8-over 80.
Schulz was MSU’s top finisher in the Battle at Old Works as she tied for 10th place individually by firing a 15-over 231 over 54 holes. Elliott finished close behind in a tie for 13th with a 233.
Hooper tied for 21st at 237 strokes, while Navarre (240) and Oster (240) each tied for 25th.
Eastern Washington and North Dakota State closed out tournament action in a tie for first place after 54 holes with 908 strokes apiece. The two teams went to a one-hole playoff with each golfer in the teams’ lineups playing the 10th hole. EWU took the team title by carding a 21 which topped NDSU’s 23.
The Eagles also were represented by individual medalist, Alexa Clark, who completed her three rounds at 3-over 219.
MSU had three golfers compete as individuals in the Battle at Old Works. Senior Clare Dittemore finished tied for 23rd with a 238 over the course of three rounds. Sofia Rodriguez Todd tied for 35th with a 244 and Lucia Prieto Romano placed 47th with a 269.
“The golf course is amazing,” Basye said. “The people that are around here love to have us out here. They’re great hosts. The teams like coming out here because it’s a different type of golf course. You’ve got the black slag, you’ve got the elevation and you’ve got great greens. We appreciate getting those teams here and we’re hopeful we get a few more teams and keep building the tournament up.
“We head to Coeur d’Alene next Saturday, so this is a good lead-up into that.”
The Bobcats compete in their second of four fall tournaments next weekend. MSU is scheduled to travel to Idaho to participate in the Challenge at Coeur d’Alene Resort from Sept. 17-18.
