Stetzner leading MSUB men after Day 1 at WNMU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, April 3, 2017 Stetzner leading MSUB men after Day 1 at WNMU

Caleb Stetzner leads MSUB’s men’s golf team on Day 1 of the WNMU Invite, with rounds of even-par 72 and 2-over-par 74 at Palm Valley Golf Club.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Caleb Stetzner put together a pair of strong rounds on a gusty Monday afternoon at Palm Valley Golf Club, leading the Montana State university Billings men’s golf team on Day 1 of the Western New Mexico University Invitational.

The freshman is currently tied for 37th place, after shooting even-par 72 in Round 1 and following with a 2-over-par 74 for a two-round score of 146 at the par-72, 7,015-yard course layout.

The Yellowjackets are in 15th place as a team among the field of 20, after posting team rounds of 297 and 295 for a total of 592. “This tournament provides great competition, as all of the teams are Division II and most are from southern climates,” said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. “I was pleased with our first round, and we started fast. We just didn’t

finish the final six holes as a team very well. Most teams had their score go up in the second round, but I was happy we were able to improve from our morning score.”

Stetzner carded five birdies his second time through the course, playing the front-nine at 2-under-par 34 to keep his score low. In his opening round, Stetzner also had five birdies and he only played eight holes over par on the day.

Garrett Woodin was the other Yellowjacket with a par round on Monday, shooting an even-par 72 in the second round after a 75 in the first for a total of 147. Woodin was highly efficient his second time through the course, shooting just two bogeys and negating them with a pair of birdies. The freshman is in a tie for 46th place entering the final round.

Senior Michael Porter and sophomore Austin Walter are tied for 62nd place, after each carding a score of 150 on Monday. Austin had three consecutive birdies in the first round on holes 1-through-3, and finished with seven total on Monday. Porter got off to a stellar start, with birdies on 3 of 4 holes and just one bogey on the front-nine for a 2-under34 in Round 1.

Senior Connor Miele finished his first day with a two-round total of 155 (81-74), and cut down by seven strokes between rounds. Miele found his groove in the second round, making birdie on holes 1, 3, and 4, and playing the front-nine at even-par 36.

Adam Stone of Cal State East Bay is the individual leader after Day 1, carding a score of 136 (69-67). BYU-Hawaii is the team leader, coasting to a score of 566 (284-282) and placing three individuals in the top-10.

Also competing in the event from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference are Western Washington University, in fourth place with a score of 573 (288-285), and Saint Martin’s University in eighth place with a total of 582 (289-293) after Monday.

“I am optimistic that we could have our best team score tomorrow morning, if we come with the right state of mind,” said Woodin.

THE BUZZ: Stetzner was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…the ‘Jackets were named the GNAC Team of the Week on Monday after winning last week’s Yellowjacket Spring Invite in Billings.

AHEAD: The third and final round is scheduled to tee off Tuesday morning, as the ‘Jackets play their last round before the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships April 24-25 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Western New Mexico University Mustang Invitational Palm Valley Golf Club | Goodyear, Arizona Day 1 Results | April 3, 2017 Team – 1. BYU-Hawaii, 566 (284-282); 15. MSU Billings, 592 (297-295). Individuals – 1. Adam Stone, CSUEB, 136 (69-67); T37. Caleb Stetzner, MSUB, 146 (72-74); T44. Garrett Woodin, MSUB, 147 (75-72); T62. Michael Porter, MSUB, 150 (7674); T62. Austin Walter, MSUB, 150 (74-76); T88. Connor Miele, MSUB, 156 (81-75).

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