FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Friday, September 18, 2015 MSUB men finish first 2 rounds at Saint Martin’s Invite
MSUB shaves a dozen strokes off between rounds at the Saint Martin’s Invite to finish Day 1 in a tie for seventh place with one round to play on Saturday. OLYMPIA, Wash. – Completing the first two rounds of the Saint Martin’s University Invitational on Friday at Olympia Country & Golf Club, the Montana State University Billings men’s golf team currently sits in a tie for seventh place among the 16-team field. As a team, the Yellowjackets shot a 593 (302-291) and are tied with host school and Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent Saint Martin’s in seventh. Juniors Connor Miele and Michael Porter are each in the top-10 at the event, with Miele shooting a 1-under par 141 (7170) on the day and Porter close behind with a 1-over par 143 (73-70). Miele is tied for fifth overall, while Porter is tied for ninth. “Connor and Mike played great, allowing our other guys a little room for error,” commented MSUB head coach Shawn O’Brien. “It was very close after the first round, giving us an opportunity to jump past several teams in the second. Connor and Scott had a couple of great eagles in the first round to help.”
Porter carded one birdie in his second round to go along with 17 pars as he played without a bogie his second time through the course. “Anytime a player can play a round bogie-free it is an amazing experience and feeling,” O’Brien commented on the strong, consistent performance by Porter.” Freshman Scott Larson is tied for 50th at the event, shooting a 154 (78-76) on Day 1. Braden Luper shot a 156 (81-75) and Austin Walter rounded out MSUB’s top-5 in a tie for 70th with a 160 (80-80). The Yellowjackets improved 11 strokes between rounds, dropping below the 300 mark in the second round as their 291 was tied for fifth-best among all schools in the second round. “During the second round we got off to a hot start and were ahead of a lot of teams for most of the round,” O’Brien said. “Again, Connor and Mike played fantastic and I am very proud of both of them. Unfortunately, we did not play our last three holes very well. We did play a lot better which I am proud of with this young team, but we need to finish stronger if we want to compete.” Leading the team race is the University of British Columbia, which shot a 563 (287-276) and leads second-place Simon Fraser by a dozen strokes. All five GNAC men’s golf teams are participating in the event, with Western Washington in fourth with a 583 (293-290) and Northwest Nazarene 15 strokes behind MSUB and SMU in 11th place with a 608 (312296). UBC’s Trent Abraham and Victoria’s Lawren Rowe are tied for the lead after the first day, as each shot a 3-under par 139. “I am excited for tomorrow to get back on the course and play well, allowing our team to continue to gain on the leaderboard,” O’Brien said. Miele was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day for MSUB. Tee-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. Mountain time on Saturday morning as the third and final round will commence. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--