YellowjacketMen’s and Women’s Golf Opens First Yellowjacket Invitational; Men Tied for First

Men's Results

Women's Results

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BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings men’s and women’s golf teams opened the inaugural MSUB Yellowjacket Invitational Thursday afternoon at Eaglerock Golf Course.  The Yellowjacket men are tied with Rocky Mountain College with a 303 score on the par 72, 6651-yard course.  The MSUB women’s team is in second place with a 342 score, behind leader Rocky with a 321.

“I am pleased with the way that the first day of our first tournament went,” MSUB head men’s and women’s golf coach Shawn O’Brien said.  “Everyone was able to get out and compete with the weather cooperating.”

Miles Community College sits in third place with a 332 score and the University of Great Falls is in fourth place with a 352 score on the men’s side.

MSUB senior Jeff Allen and Rocky’s D.J. Kovach are tied for first leading the 26-player field each with a 1-over 73.  Yellowjacket senior Jacob Harr is tied for fourth with a 75, while freshman Kyle Armstrong playing in his first collegiate competition fired a 76 and is tied for eighth.  Senior Chris Richter carded a 79 putting him in a tie for 13th.  Junior Travis Gates is tied for 18th with an 81. 

Playing as an individual, freshman K.C. Kindle carded a 79 and is also tied for 13th.  Rocky had three players playing as individuals finish the first round third (Andy Rutz, 74) and two are tied for fourth (Casey Faught and Tom Meyer, 75). 

“I am very proud of the way the men played today,” O’Brien said.  “Jeff Allen showed great senior leadership while tying the tournament-low with a 73.  I am also proud of the way Kyle Armstrong played in his first-ever college tournament shooting the third-lowest round on our team.  Tomorrow will be an exciting day as we have an opportunity to go out and possibly win our first golf tournament of the year.”

On the women’s side, the Yellowjackets sit in second place, 21 strokes behind Rocky.  Senior Amy Nordeen is fifth after carding a round of 83.  Sophomore Kalli Stanhope is tied for sixth with an 84, while sophomore Erin Heaney fired an 87 and is 10th.  Sophomore Libby Rutz is 11th with an 88 and freshman Liz Tikriti is tied for 15th with a 92. 

Individually, senior Breanna Magness is tied for eighth with an 85 and sophomore Kate Murdock is tied for 19th with a 94.

Chadron State College, a fellow Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference member, is third with a 365 team score, while University of Great Falls is fourth with a 397. 

Rocky’s Jen Orchard leads the way after carding a 75, while teammate Rachel Hosterman is second with a 79. 

“Rocky played well today,” O’Brien said.  “They capitalized when the opportunity presented itself.  I felt we would have scored lower if we had capitalized on those same opportunities.  I am looking forward to tomorrow to redeem ourselves and score well.”

The final round is scheduled to begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. 

Men
T 1 Montana St. Billings 303
T 1 Jeff Allen 36- 37 73
T 4 Jacob Harr 39- 36 75
T 8 Kyle Armstrong 37- 39 76
T 13 Chris Richter 41- 38 79
18 Travis Gates 39- 42 81

Women
2 Montana St. Billings 342
5 Amy Nordeen 43- 40 83
T 6 Kalli Stanhope 45- 39 84
10 Erin Heaney 37- 50 87
11 Libby Rutz 47- 41 88
T 15 Elizabeth Tikriti 48- 44 92