Stetzner holds on to 10th-place finish in 1st spring tourney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, February 28, 2017 Stetzner holds on to 10th-place finish in 1st spring tourney

Freshman Caleb Stetzner holds on to his spot in 10th place at MSUB’s first men’s golf tournament of the 2017 spring season, and the Yellowjackets finish in ninth.

LIVERMORE, Calif. – Holding on to his spot in the top-10 through the third and final round of the East-West Bay Area Invite on Tuesday, Montana State University Billings freshman men’s golfer Caleb Stetzner led the Yellowjackets with a three-round total of 9-over-par 225 (77-73-75).

Stetzner entered Tuesday’s final round in a tie for 10th place, and maintained the spot for his third top-10 finish overall this year. “A top-10 finish was really good for Caleb, and I am really proud of him,” said MSUB assistant coach Jeff Allen.

“He hit the ball very well today, and only missed two greens. There are a lot of good players in this event, and for him to show up and compete the way he did is very good.”

Stetzner tied for 12th among the tournament field with 35 pars, and added seven birdies across his three rounds. The freshman had strong iron game to thank for his competitive score, as he drilled 16 of 18 greens in regulation on Tuesday.

The ‘Jackets battled through frigid conditions during the final round, as a 30minute frost delay pushed back tee times at the par-72, 6,580-yard course.

MSUB finished in ninth place with a three-round team score of 955 (324-310321), among the field of 12 teams.

“I told the guys to take what positives they could from the event, and hopefully they use it as motivation to get back to work,” Allen said. “It gives us something to work on and base our spring on. Everybody has something they can build on, and overall it was a good first test.”

Freshman Garrett Woodin wrapped up the event with a 78 on Tuesday, carding two more birdies and playing the front nine at just 1-over-par 37. Woodin finished with five birdies in the tournament, and wound up in a tie for 30th place with a score of 234 (80-76-78).

Finishing behind Woodin was senior Michael Porter, who wrapped up the event in a tie for 39th place with a three-round score of 239 (81-79-79). Porter matched Stetzner with seven birdies, four of which came in his opening round at the event.

Freshman Garrett Woodin was MSUB’s secondleading finisher at the East-West Bay Area Invite.

In a tie for 53rd place was senior Connor Miele, who carded a score of 257 (8682-89) in his first event of the spring. MSUB’s fifth golfer, Scott Larson, completed his tournament in 58th place with a score of 266 (86-85-95).

Cal State East Bay rallied to win the tournament with a final round of 292, jumping past second-place Holy Names with a final tally of 884 (303-289-292). The Pioneers’ Adam Stone won the event with a score of 209 (73-70-66), holding off HNU’s Zach Sims who finished in second with a score of 213 (69-71-73).

Also competing in the event from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference were Saint Martin’s University (4th place, 904, 303-297-304), and Concordia University (7th place, 926, 306-318-302).

THE BUZZ: Woodin was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…Stetzner was one of three players from the GNAC to finish in the top-10, along with SMU’s Ryan Pickthorn and Concordia’s Ryan Melnychuk.

NEXT UP: The ‘Jackets head to Las Vegas to co-host the Beaver-Jacket Invite at Aliante Golf Club. The three-round men’s event runs March 10-11.

East-West Bay Area Invite Final Results | Feb. 28, 2017 Wente Vineyards | Livermore, CA Team – 1.Cal State East Bay, 884 (303-289-292); 9.MSU Billings, 955 (324-310-321). Individual – 1.Adam Stone, CSUEB, 209 (73-70-66); T10. Caleb Stetzner, MSUB, 225 (77-73-75); T30. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 234 (80-76-78); T39. Michael Porter, MSUB, 239 (81-79-79); T53. Connor Miele, MSUB, 257 (86-82-89); 58. Scott Larson, MSUB, 266 (86-85-95).

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