(Editor’s note: MSU Billings media release)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Teeing off in its third round in the last four days, the Montana State University Billings women’s golf team wrapped up the opening round of the Western Washington University Invitational on Monday at Bellingham Golf and Country Club.
The Yellowjackets posted a team score of 331 on Monday, and are in a tie for 10th place among the field of 13 teams on the par-73, 5,983-yard course. “It wasn’t our best day today, and it is tough to come off playing really well at SMU and carry that over to a new golf course,” commented MSUB associate head coach Jeff Allen. “On a long trip like this it’s easy to get tired, but I was happy with how they battled. They played hard all day long, and we are looking forward to an improved round tomorrow. Hopefully we can end the trip on a high note.”
Sophomore Renae Heisler was MSUB’s top performer on Monday, as she posted a score of 79 her first time through the course. She was just 1-over-par through her first seven holes, after making a birdie on the par-5, 464-yard Hole 1. She also finished her round strong at even-par over her final four holes, including her second birdie of the day on the par-5, 428-yard Hole 9. Heisler enters the final round in a tie for 28th place.
Finishing the day with an 83 was freshman Tierney Messmer, who sits in a tie for 42nd place overall. Her lone birdie on Monday came on the par-4, 328-yard Hole 15, and she also had six pars on the round. Matching Messmer was freshman Kinsey Irvin, who also shot an 83 in her first round.
Senior Shealyn Hafer turned in a score of 85 in Round 1, and is in a tie for 52nd place. Hafer started out well at even-par over her first five holes, including her lone birdie of the day on Hole 15.
Rounding out the field of five for the ‘Jackets was senior Sarah Schroefel, who shot an 85 her first time through the course. Schroefel’s round consisted of eight pars.
Leading the team race after the opening round of play is Sonoma State University, which shot a score of 298 with four players posting sub-80 rounds. The Seawolves hold a six-stroke lead over second-place and host Western Washington University (304). Megan Daleo of SSU, Lacy Sheldon of WWU, and Nicole Gargarella of Victoria (BC) are all tied for first place after carding rounds of 1-under-par 72 on Monday.
THE BUZZ: Heisler was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…it was Heisler’s fifth sub-80 round of the season.
NEXT UP: The tournament concludes on Tuesday morning, with the second and final round of action scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time/10 a.m. Mountain. Live scoring will be available online through Golf Stat here. The WWU Invite marks the final tournament of the fall season for the Yellowjackets, who will close out the fall with the Leslie Spalding Cup against Rocky Mountain College in a match play event running October 18-20 in Billings.
Western Washington University Invitational
Bellingham Golf & Country Club | Bellingham, Washington
Round 1 Results | October 8, 2018
Team – 1. Sonoma State, 298; T10. MSU Billings, 331. Individual – T1. Megan Daleo, SSU, 72; T1. Lacy Sheldon, WWU, 72; Nicole Gargarella, Victoria, 72; T28. Renae Heisler, MSUB, 79; T42. Tierney Messmer, MSUB, 83; T42. Kinsey Irvin, MSUB, 83; T52. Shealyn Hafer, MSUB, 85; T52. Sarah Schroefel, MSUB, 85.
