FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, October 10, 2016 Walter in first place after opening round of WWU Invite
Sammy Walter shoots a career-best 72 on Monday, and enters the final round of the WWU Invite in sole possession of first place. BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Sammy Walter bettered her top career round by three strokes, as she shot a 1-under-par 72 on Monday in the opening round of the Western Washington University Invitational at Bellingham Golf and Country Club. The junior is currently in sole possession of first place at the event, holding a one-stroke lead over Northeastern State University’s Ebba Moberg. “Sammy played lights out today and had an incredible round for us,” said MSUB assistant coach Rhett Hightower. “The team wants to tighten up tomorrow and shoot for a top-three finish. I am very proud of their mental game today as well as their scores.” Walter’s stellar round helped the Yellowjacket women to a team score of 309, as the ‘Jackets sit in third place and are just six strokes off of tournament-leading Simon Fraser University. Walter had four birdies and 11 pars, playing just three holes at bogey on the day.
Sophomore Kortney McNeil is in a tie for 10th place, after shooting a 4-over-par 77 in her opening round of the event. Shealyn Hafer and Haley Shackelford matched one another, each firing an 80 their first time through the course, and sit in a tie for 32nd place. Hafer and Shackelford each tied for the team high with a dozen pars in the opening round, and McNeil notched a pair of birdies. In a tie for 56th place after Day 1, junior Bailee Dexter finished her first round with an 84 on Monday. The Clan shot a team score of 303 to take an early lead, while the University of British Columbia is in second place with a score of 307. The second and final round of the tournament kicks off on Tuesday morning, as the Yellowjacket women prepare for their final round of the fall season. Walter was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Day. Western Washington University Invitational Bellingham Golf & Country Club | Bellingham, WA Round 1 Results | October 10, 2016 Team – 1. Simon Fraser University, 303; 3. MSU Billings, 309. Individual – 1. Sammy Walter, MSUB, 72; T10. Kortney McNeil, MSUB, 77; T32. Shealyn Hafer, MSUB, 80; T32. Haley Shackelford, MSUB, 80; T56. Bailee Dexter, MSUB, 84. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--