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A WORD OF THANKS FROM MSGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NEW COURSE RATING ADMINISTRATOR Don Larsen of Helena has been named by the MSGA as the new administrator of course rating. Larsen, who is a member of one of the three course rating teams in Montana, has been active in course rating for some time. He personally developed a yardage book for his home course, Green Meadow Country Club, and has been actively involved in that club in various capacities. As administrator, Larsen will oversee the work of the three rating teams and double check the many factors that are involved in rating a golf course.
Planning to play in one of the state tournaments in the next year or so? To help those who like to plan ahead (way ahead), the MSGA has posted the schedule for the next few years for the three tournaments it sponsors plus the Women's Amateur, sponsored by the Montana State Women's Golf Association, and the Senior Men's Championship, hosted by the Montana Seniors Association. Those schedules beyond the immediate future may be subject to change. The rotations:
PEAKS AND PRAIRIES USES MSGA MONEY FOR EDUCATION The Montana State Golf Association contributes $4,000 yearly to the Peaks and Prairies Course Superintendents Association. This contribution is made possible by the many Montana golfers who hold MTS handicap cards. Tom Ask, president of Peaks and Prairies, says that this year's contribution was used by his group to sponsor several educational sessions for superintendents throughout the State. By being able to hold seminars at various locations the group was able to attract more attendees and, more importantly perhaps to golfers, assure that the superintendents didn't have to travel long distances and thus be away from their own courses for any extended period.
FEE INCREASE COMING FOR STATE TOURNEYS After several years the rising cost of everything we do is going to show up in entry fees to Montana's two statewide men's tournaments. The Montana State Golf Association, at its annual meeting, voted to raise the entry for both the Men's Amateur and the Men's Mid-Amateur from $150, where it has been for some time, to $175. This increase was necessitated by several factors, not the least of which is the fee the MSGA gives clubs that host these events. The board of directors is studying the fee structure and will determine a per player fee for each tournament. This will serve to equalize the stipend to the host club since it is obvious that a club with a full field of 208 players (the limit for both tournaments) shouldn't receive the same fee as a club which might only attract 100. This appears unlikely to be a problem, however, since these two tournaments have recently filled up quickly. The board is also planning to establish a 10-year rotation for host courses and contract with host clubs five years in advance. This is an ongoing MSGA project.
TWO NEWCOMERS, VETERAN WIN "MAJORS" A pair of newcomers and a veteran won the three 2000 statewide tournaments for adult players. Brett Bennyhoff of Great Falls won his first state crown taking the Mid-Amateur title; Scott Ostrum of Billings collected his first at the Men's Amateur and Jennifer McGregor James of Ennis won her third Women's Amateur title in six years. Ostrum's title was technically his third state crown since some time ago he won a high school crown and the State Junior Championship. Both the Mid-Amateur and the Amateur contested at Meadow Lark in Great Falls and Yellowstone in Billings attracted full fields. The Women's event, at The Briarwood in Billings, didn't fill up but continues to grow. When the Women's and the Amateur were contested in July in Billings it was the first time since the early 60's, when both events were combined, that these two tournaments were played in the same town at the same time.
He's been knocking on the door a long time. Finally, it's been opened. Brett Bennyhoff of Great Falls has been consistently among the leaders in various Montana golf tournaments for some time. He has always been a contender in both the Amateur and the Mid-Amateur. This year he broke through with a convincing victory in the Mid-Amateur. That it happened at his home course, Meadow Lark Club in Great Falls, made it all the sweeter. Bennyhoff was in command throughout the tournament and opened the final round with a four-shot lead. When he birdied the second and fourth holes, on his way to a final round 76, the tournament was over. Strong, gusty winds on a hot afternoon the final day seemed to work to Bennyhoff's advantage since he was sitting on the lead. A lifetime familiarity with the tough Meadow Lark course didn't hurt either. Dirk Cloninger of Missoula and Steve Williamson of Shelby tied for second, five shots behind Bennyhoff's winning total of 214. The leaders:
If at first you don't succeed -- try, try again. That old saw is certainly true for Billings' Scott Ostrum, who played in 13 previous State Men's Amateurs before finally breaking through to win the title this year. Ostrum, who was practically born on the host Yellowstone Country Club course in Billings, held off his friend Robb Bergeson, the 1997 champion, over the final 18 holes for the victory. Ostrum has worked many jobs at Yellowstone during 11 years at the tough Billings track and has played many rounds there. That experience undoubtedly helped him capture his first State Amateur to go along with state high school and a state junior title. Ostrum opened the final day tied for the lead and never gave it up as he carded a final round two-over 74. He was helped by back to back birdies on 14 and 15, just when it looked like he might be catchable. Bill Dunn of Missoula, who had entered the final round tied with Ostrum, had trouble with a wandering driver off the tee and was four over after the first four holes and never a factor after that. Defending champion Eddie Kavran of Dillon finished with a 74 and captured third place. The leaders:
WOMEN'S
AMATEUR Oddly enough, second place belonged to Shannon McDonald of Bozeman who was second for the second straight year and Cathie Williamson of Shelby finished third for the second straight year. In the Seniors Division, which crowns the Montana Women's Seniors Champion, Billie Jean Bloxham of Great Falls captured the crown besting Robin Koontz of Missoula by 5 shots. James' victory was in doubt throughout the final afternoon until she sealed it with a ling birdie putt on the final hole after McDonald had three putted the same hole. Williamson, who plays collegiately for the University of Arizona, struggled all afternoon with a balky putter. Bloxham posted a final round 89 compared to an 86 by Koontz and a fine 83 by Gerry Jovanovich of Fort Benton but had such a big lead after 36 holes she was never in danger. The leaders:
YOUNG MONTANANS IN MAJOR TOURNEY Montana sent eight of its finest junior players to a pair of prestigious golf tournaments this summer and both teams played well. Four Treasure State girls finished 16th in the Girls Junior Americas Cup, contested at the Eisenhower Golf Club at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Four boys were in 16th place as well when the competition ended at the Boys Americas Cup at Sahalee Country Club in Redmond, Washington. Sahalee was the site two years ago of the PGA Championships. The Americas Cup brings together some of the finest junior golfers in the country (17 is the age limit) at a different site each year. The boys and girls events are not held together. The girl's event will be contested in 2003 at Meadow Lark Country Club in Great Falls. The teams play 54 holes of stroke play with the low three of four scores counting for a team each of the three days. The Americas Cup is strictly a team event with no individual prizes awarded. The girls team composed of Devon Newell of Helena (256 for three rounds); Jasi Acharya of Columbus (258); Kylie Anderson of Great Falls (265) and Megan McDonald of Bozeman (283) finished with a three day total of 779 compared to the 674 turned in by the winning team from Mexico and the runner-up score of 675 recorded by Northern California. On the boys side the group of Andy Hessen of Three Forks (240); Renzie Lee of Billings (243); Colt VanDewerker of Billings (259) and Robert Sullivan of Whitefish (245) finished with a three day total of 728 compared to 658 for the winning team from Southern California. Sonja Dehn of Great Falls was Team Captain for the girls team assisted by Mary Ann Rodman of Whitefish. Woody Hahn of Billings captained the boy's team. Both captains pointed out that the Montana youngsters did well when one considers that the competitive season in the Treasure State is only four or five months while most of the teams that compete play in climes where golf is a year round sport. Both also pointed out that the Americas Cup competition provides a wonderful opportunity for Montana youths to compete with some of the finest junior golfers in this country, Mexico and Canada and gives them an additional opportunity to see other parts of the country and some of the finest courses available. All expenses for both teams are paid for by the Montana State Golf Association.
MONTANA GIRLS CUP TEAM The Montana girls' teams which competed in the Junior Americas Cup included: (bottom l to r) Jasi Acharya of Columbus; Megan McDonald of Bozeman; Devon Newell of Helena and Kylie Anderson of Great Falls. Mary Ann Rodman of Whitefish (top l) and Sonja Dehn of Great Falls (top r) were the assistant and the captain of the team.
Both Montana teams turned in superb performances this year in winning both sides of the Montana-Alberta Cup and ending a long dominance by north of the border teams. The yearly competition, which shifts black and forth between Montana and our northern neighbor, has been contested for several years. Usually the Canadians take home the trophies, but not this year. The Montana girls, coached by Mary Ann Rodman of Whitefish, won for the first time in six years. The Montana boys, headed by Woody Hahn of Billings, ended an even drier spell. Hahn's boys hadn't beaten their Alberta counterparts in nine years. The competition for the cup, held this year at Whitefish Lake Golf Course, consists of three days of play in best ball, alternate shots and individual matches. Competitors are placed in age groups of 15, 16 and 17 for girls with an additional 14 year old group for boys. The girls team of 17-year old Megan McDonald of Bozeman, 16-year olds Kylie Anderson of Great Falls and Devon Newell of Helena and 15-year olds Rachel Warren of Billings and Britney Hayes of Polson took a big 15-3 lead in the opening round and polished it off with a 24-12 victory margin. The boys weren't quite as dominating but still victorious, posting a 27-21 victory total. The boys team included 14-year olds Josh Hedges of Billings and Jon Thomas of Dillon; 15-year olds Colt VanDewerker of Billings and Cassey Keyser of Kalispell; 16-year olds Nick Obie of Havre and Adam Hober of Missoula and 17-year olds Robert Sullivan of Whitefish and Jeff Dooley of Polson.
MTS HANDICAP HOLDERS WILL GET SOME RECOGNITION All golfers in Montana who hold MTS handicap cards contribute through their handicap fees to the work of the Montana State Golf Association. Now they will get a little recognition for those efforts. The MSGA annually contributes $5,000 to both the University of Montana and Montana State University for their womens' golf teams. It also gives $5,000 to the Frontier Conference to be spread among the Montana members of that conference. This fall, checks will be presented from the MSGA to the various schools during half-time of one of the schools' football games. During this presentation it will be acknowledged that the funds are made possible by Montana's many men and women golfers.
WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION GETS MORE MONEY The Montana State Women's Golf Association, the overseer of women's golf in Montana, is getting a raise -- or at least its executive secretary is getting a raise. The Montana State Golf Association annually presents a stipend of $5,000 to the MSWGA which is used for many projects including paying for its executive secretary. This amount has remained static for some time despite the fact that the MSWGA has steadily increased the number of projects which is undertakes and despite the fact its executive secretary has an increased workload. In recognition of this the MSGA has voted to add $500 to its contribution every other year for the next six years. The MSGA has also asked the women's group to develop a budget and present it to the MSGA with an eye toward additional help if that is indicated.
Miss the Summer 2000 Newsletter? Find it HERE! |
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