MSUB men leading Yellowjacket Spring Invite after Day 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, March 27, 2017 MSUB men leading Yellowjacket Spring Invite after Day 1

MSUB’s men’s golf team has a strong showing on Day 1 of its spring invitational, shooting rounds of 296 and 281 to lead the field by 15 strokes with one round left to play.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Finding its groove and improving 15 strokes between rounds on Monday at Lake Hills Golf Club, the Montana State University Billings men’s golf team jumped out to first place on the team leaderboard after Day 1 of the tournament.

The Yellowjackets improved on a 296 in Round 1, with four players below par in a stellar 281 the second time through the par-72, 6,802-yard course layout. “The guys played very well, especially down the stretch when it got chilly and the wind picked up,” commented men’s assistant coach Marcus Drange. “The guys did a good job of staying poised all day.

Having four players turn in rounds under par on a day of 36 holes is pretty impressive.”

Seniors Connor Miele and Michael Porter and freshman Garrett Woodin all shot a 2-under-par 70 in the second round, and all three players are in the top-5 with one round left to play on Tuesday.

Miele is MSUB’s overall leader, and is tied for third place with a 1-under-par 143 (73-70) on Day 1 of the event. Miele’s 10 birdies were the most among the field of competition. He had two in-arow on holes 12 and 13 his first time through the course, and again on holes 1 and 2 his second time around.

Woodin and fellow freshman Caleb Stetzner are each tied for fifth place, after carding scores of 144 on Day 1. Stetzner fired a 1-under-par 71 in Round 1, and followed with a 1-over-par 73 later Monday afternoon. Stetzner tied for the third-most pars on the day with 24, and added six birdies.

Like Miele, Woodin bolstered his solid day with birdies as he finished with seven total. He also had one of just seven eagles among the tournament field on the day, as he chipped in on his third stroke on the par-5, 546-yard 13th hole.

Senior Michael Porter showed the most improvement between rounds, shaving off nine strokes and currently sitting in a tie for 11th place with a 149 (79-70). Porter caught fire with six birdies in the second round, saving strokes on back-to-back holes twice during his final 18. He tied for the second-most overall birdies with eight, and made par on 19 holes on Monday.

Sophomore Austin Walter also shot a 149, and, like Porter, improved significantly with a 71 in Round 2 after a 78 in the Garrett Woodin carded a 2-under-par 70 in Round 2, thanks in opener. Walter also had eight birdies Monday, five of which part to a 45-foot birdie putt on Hole 18. came in the second round. Walter had a string of three-straight birdies and four total among holes 6-through-10 in Round 2, and carded an impressive 4-under-par 32 on the front nine.

Also representing the Yellowjackets as an unattached individual was Scott Larson, who is tied for 28th after shooting a two-round total of 160 (80-80). Larson made par on 19 holes throughout the day, and had three birdies.

MSUB has a firm 15-stroke lead over second-place Rocky Mountain College, but the Battlin’ Bears’ Michael Tait leads the individual race with a stellar 6-under-par 138 (71-67) on Monday.

“The guys stayed consistent and didn’t let anything get away from them,” Drange said. “They posted a great secondround team score. We are looking for them to ride on the momentum they just finished up with from Round 2, and close out the tournament strong tomorrow.”

THE BUZZ: Miele was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…Woodin’s 70 was his second-best singleround score of the season…RMC’s Tait was the lone player among the field to break 70 on the day.

COMING UP: Play continues Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., with the third and final round teeing off in shotgun format.

Yellowjacket Spring Invitational Lake Hills Golf Course | Billings, Montana Day 1 Results | March 27, 2017 Team – 1. MSU Billings, 577 (296-281). Individuals – 1. Michael Tait, Rocky Mountain College, 138 (71-67); T3. Connor Miele, MSUB, 143 (73-70); T5. Caleb Stetzner, MSUB, 144 (71-73); T5. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 144 (74-70); T11. Michael Porter, MSUB, 149 (79-70); T11. Austin Walter, MSUB, 149 (78-71); T28. Scott Larson, IND, 160 (80-80).

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