Women win tourney, McNeil, Hafer go 2-3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, March 11, 2017 Women win tourney, McNeil, Hafer go 2-3

MSUB’s women’s golf team wins the Beaver-‘Jacket Invite, with sophomores Kortney McNeil and Shealyn Hafter taking second and third place in their first event of the 2017 spring season.

LAS VEGAS – Sophomores Kortney McNeil and Shealyn Hafer took second and third place, respectively, at the BeaverJacket Invite, finishing strong and helping the Montana State University Billings women’s golf team to a first-place finish on Saturday at Aliante Golf Club.

McNeil finished with a two-round total of 155 (74-81), just missing out on medalist honors as she was one stroke behind Eryn Ellis of Rocky Mountain College, who shot a 154 (79-75). Hafer was just one behind McNeil with a 156 (75-81), leading the ‘Jackets to a team score of 629 (310-319) on the par-72, 6,117-yard course layout.

“This was a great start to our spring season for the women overall,” said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. “Our strengths were the way we drove the ball and how we played around the greens, and for as little practice as we’ve had outside, I felt the team did very well. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do in California next week.”

The placing was the best of the year for both McNeil and Hafer. “I am very happy for Kortney and Shea, and they had a great two-day tournament,” Woodin said. “For them to finish with individual honors in the top-five is outstanding.”

Bolstering MSUB’s strong team performance was junior Bailee Dexter, who finished in sixth place with a two-round score of 159 (82-77). Dexter cut five strokes off her first-round score, and utilized three birdies including a 15-foot putt on the first hole in her second round. On the 11th hole, Dexter drilled an 8-iron to three feet, and she hit 11 of 18 greens in regulation and 11 of 14 fairways on the day. “It was great to see Bailee come back strong today, and I felt that she was a lot better off the tee today than she was yesterday,” said Woodin.

Senior Haley Shackelford wound up in seventh place, also improving her score between rounds and finishing with a 162 (8280). Shackelford rode strong short game play in her second round, and had 31 putts to help lower her score. On the ninth hole, she landed an 8-iron shot 15 feet from the cup, and sunk the putt to save a stroke. She was also effective off the tee, hitting 9 of 14 fairways.

Completing the field of five golfers and also finishing in the top-10 was junior Sammy Walter, who finished the tournament with a two-round total of 164 (79-85) for eighth place.

Bailee Dexter finished strong with a 77 in Round 2 on Saturday, and wound up in sixth place at the Beaver-Jacket Invite.

The ‘Jackets ran away with the team title, with RMC finishing in a distant second place with a score of 671 (341-330).

THE BUZZ: Dexter was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day…it was the fourth top-5 finish of the year for the Yellowjacket women, and the first team title of the season for the squad.

AHEAD: MSUB heads to Seaside, Calif., for the Cal State Monterey Bay Otter Invitational running March 20-21.

Beaver-Jacket Invite Aliante Golf Club | Las Vegas, Nevada Final Results | March 11, 2017 Team – 1. MSU Billings, 629 (310-319). Individual – 2. Kortney McNeil, MSUB, 155 (74-81); T3. Shealyn Hafer, MSUB, 156 (75-81); 6. Bailee Dexter, MSUB, 159 (82-77); 7. Haley Shackelford, MSUB, 162 (82-80); 8. Sammy Walter, MSUB, 164 (79-85).

--@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--