Editor’s Note: MSGA Press Release
HELENA — After one day of competition, the professionals lead the amateurs 19.5 to 16.5 in the 2018 Montana Cup held at Green Meadow Country Club.
The annual competition matches 12 club professionals against 12 amateur golfers who earn their inclusion on their respective teams based on a points system from the previous year based on tournament play around the state.
In the morning matches, the professionals gained an 11 to 7 advantage in four-ball stroke play.
Green Meadow’s head professional, Chad Carlson and Laurel Golf Club’s Tom Anderson picked up the lone sweep (3 points to 0) of amateurs Marcus Drange of Billings and Jason Winkler of Kalispell.
Eddie Kavran of Hilands and Scott Longnecker of Bill Roberts picked up 2.5 points vs. Spencer Williams (Helena) and Bill Dunn (Missoula).
Ryan Malby of Ironhorse and Brian Eekhoff of Cottownwood Hills won 2.5 points as well in their match vs. Logan Lindholm (Kalispell) and Joe Cielak (Libby).
Jason Lehtola of Whitetail and Jake McKinney of Laurel picked up 2 points vs. Sean Hauser (Missoula) and Ross Bartell (Great Falls).
The amateurs were able to gain points as Taylor Ratliff (Fairfield) and Brady Kirkeby (Helena) earned 2.5 points vs. David Owens of Hamilton and Ted Babcock of Valley View.
Bob Hasquet (Missoula) and Payton Taylor (Hamilton) also earned 2.5 points in their match vs. Renzi Lee of Lake Hills and Connor Sproull of Missoula Country Club.
In the afternoon, the amateurs narrowed the gap with a 9.5 to 8.5 advantage in modified chapman play which included three 18th hole victories to salvage halves or outright victories.
Carlson and his afternoon partner Sproull, picked up another sweep, this time over Kirkeby and Cielak in the afternoon.
Owens and Longnecker picked up 2.5 points vs. Bartell and Hasquett. The amateurs were able to keep it close with Ratliff again on a team picking up 2.5 points with his partner Williams.
Play concludes tomorrow with 12 singles match play matches each worth three points. One point for the front side, one for the back side and one for the overall match total. The professionals need 36 points to retain the cup.
Green Meadow general manager Tod Fitterer is the captain for the professionals and former MSGA Mid-Amateur Champion, Parker Heller is the captain for the amateurs for 2018.
The Montana State Golf Association would like to thank Green Meadow for hosting this year’s Montana Cup.
