Jacket Golfers Head to Hawaii for PacWest Championships (Apr. 18, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT - After a season of school and personal records, the Montana State University-Billings men’s and women’s golf teams are set to compete in the 2005 PacWest Conference championships.   The championships will be held April 21-23 in Hilo, Hawaii.

Host team Hawaii-Hilo men are ranked as the second lowest scoring team in NCAA Division II according to Golf Stat scoring with a four round average of 292.67 and are the favorites to win.  The Yellowjacket men will be looking to finish in the top two at the championships.

“This is the first team we’ve had that can hold their own,” said head coach Roger Burckly.  “To finish in the top two, we must have good rounds from all five players.  Nick Larson has a lot of confidence after playing so well in California, and I am hoping it will carry over to the championships.”

Larson (Fr., Riverton, WY) finished ninth in Turlock, California last week making it the first time a Yellowjacket has finished in the top ten at a major regional tournament.  Larson also leads the Jacket men in scoring with an average of 75.  Teammates Chris McConnell (Jr., Lewistown, MT) and Chris Haas (Jr., Bozeman, MT) will look for strong performances and have scoring averages of 75.33 and 76.72 respectively.  Freshman Zach Abels (Fr., Twin Falls, ID) is shooting a 76.83 average with senior team captain Bryan Barthelmess (Sr., Condon, MT) shooting a 78.72 for the season.

“This team has been a joy to coach as each of them tries to improve their game each tournament,” added Burckley.  “This is a competitive team that has a chance to do something great in Hawaii.”

Newly hired head women’s golf coach, Jeff Nelson will be making his first trip with the women’s golf team to Hawaii for their PacWest Conference championships also held April 21-23.

“I am excited about building this program from its already strong foundation,” said head coach Jeff Nelson.  “Although the team struggled a bit this season, they have a lot of talent and I look for good things to happen.  The women’s team has a great opportunity and if they shoot well, I believe they can have a top three finish in the team competition.”

Freshman Halley Montalban (Fr., Billings) leads the Lady Jackets in scoring this season and is looking for a top five finish at the championships.  Teammates Amanda Rabenberg (Jr., Livingston, MT) and Julie Clifford (Jr., Forsyth, MT) are consistently shooting in the 80’s each round and will make a strong contribution to the overall team score.  Nicole Clayton (Sr., Wolf Point, MT) will be competing in her final collegiate tournament and will be looking to reach another personal best after shooting a 90 at the Maverick Invitational last week in Colorado.  Nicole Salsbery (Fr., Malta) is currently shooting third for the team and will look to improve her numbers in Hawaii.