MSUB men save best round for last in opening tourney of spring

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, March 22, 2016 MSUB men save best round for last in opening tourney of spring

MSUB’s men’s golf team shoots its best round of the tournament with a 314 on Tuesday, finishing its first tournament of the spring at the Cal Baptist University Invite in California.

CORONA, Calif. – Posting its best round of the tournament, the Montana State University Billings men’s golf team shot a 314 in the third and final round of the Cal Baptist University Invitational on Tuesday at Eagle Glen Golf Club.

The Yellowjackets totaled a three-round score of 952 (317-321-314) to finish in 16th place among the 18-team field.

“It was great to see the guys battle against such a strong field,” commented MSUB assistant coach Marcus Drange. “At a course as demanding as this one, to bounce back today was a good confidence boost from a team standpoint. We have much more potential in the future as the spring progresses towards conference, and I fully expect our players’ games to be sharp in late April.”

MSUB was led by junior Michael Porter and freshman Austin Walter, who tied for 60th place with scores of 236. Walter twice broke the mark of 80, with a personal best round of 74 on Monday and finished with a round of 77 on Wednesday with an 85 in between. Porter had rounds of 79 and 77 on Monday, and finished with a score of 80 on Day 2.

Junior captain Connor Miele had his best round of the tournament on Monday, finishing with a 76 and a total score of 241 (82-83-76). Miele’s 76 was the top score among the team on Tuesday, and he finished in 74th place overall in the field.

Freshman Braden Luper was just behind Miele, taking 75th place with a score of 242 (82-79-81). Freshman Scott Larson rounded out the field for the ‘Jackets with a score of 251 over the three rounds (82-82-87).

Host Cal Baptist took home the team title, holding off second-place BYU-Hawaii and Colorado Christian by seven strokes with a score of 869 (290-288-291). CCU’s Nathaniel Goddard captured medalist honors, finishing with a score of 213 (7071-72) to capture the crown.

Other Great Northwest Athletic Conference teams competing in the event were Western Washington University (T-4th), Simon Fraser University (7th), Northwest Nazarene University (9th), and Saint Martin’s University (10th).

Miele was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day with his team-leading score in the third round. “Now we know where we stack up, especially against our conference opponents,” Drange said. “I look forward to seeing us in action next week on our home course for our invitational.”

Final Results Cal Baptist University Invite – Eagle Glen Golf Club, Corona, CA Team – 1. Cal Baptist 869 (290-288-291); 16. MSU Billings 952 (317-321-314). Individual – 1. Nathaniel Goddard, CCU, 213 (70-71-72); T60. Michael Porter, MSUB, 236 (79-77-80); T60. Austin Walter, MSUB, 236 (74-85-77); 74. Connor Miele, MSUB, 241 (82-83-76); 75. Braden Luper, MSUB, 242 (82-79-81); 86. Scott Larson, MSUB, 251 (82-82-87).

NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets host their spring invitational next week, welcoming teams to Pryor Creek Golf Club in Huntley, Mont., on Monday and Tuesday for two rounds of action. The Yellowjackets’ women’s golf team will begin its spring season at the event as well.

--@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--