PO Box 4306, Helena MT 59604-4306 (406) 458-3359
July Tournaments
7/1/17
Stillwater Open
Stillwater GC (Columbus)
7/4/17
Firecracker Open
Big Sky GC (Big Sky)
7/4/17
Red, White, & Blue
Airport GC (Wolf Point)
7/5/17
Missoula Junior Golf Tour
Canyon River GC (Missoula)
7/5/17 - 7/7/17
Rotary Junior Golf Camp
Prairie Farms GC (Havre)
7/6/17
Drive, Chip, & Putt Qualifier - Juniors
Canyon River GC (Missoula)
7/6/17
Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Airport GC (Wolf Point)
7/7/17
Drive by Night
Trestle Creek GC (St. Regis)
7/7/17 - 7/9/17
Member Guest
Beaverhead GC (Dillon)
7/8/17
4 Person Red Ball
Stillwater GC (Columbus)
7/8/17
Annual Couples Tournament
Forsyth CC (Forsyth)
7/8/17
Club Tournament
Plentywood GC (Plentywood)
7/8/17 - 7/9/17
Miller Lite Men’s Invitational
Anaconda CC (Anaconda)
7/8/17 -7/9/17
Scotch Ball Mixed
Signal Point GC (Fort Benton)
July 2017 - Volume 7, Issue 7
Two Aces in One Round: AGAIN!
Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, a Montana golfer makes not
one, but two holes-in-one in a single round.
In May, Jan Quessenberry put two aces on her card at Eagle Bend.
This incredible feat of two holes-in-one in one round didn’t even
last a month before history repeated itself in Big Sky Country.
This time, on June 6th, George Cook of Great Falls wasted no time going from
never having had a hole-in-one to amassing two in three holes. Cook accomplished the feat in league play at Anaconda Hills. Cook said that a Google
search result suggested a one-in-two billion chance,
yet this marks twice in two weeks in the Treasure
State.
Using a seven iron on hole 13 from 149 yards, Cook
described the shot, “When I hit it, it was just like
butter. Oh man, I thought, I hit it good; it hops
twice and boom, right in the hole.”
Cook’s league match opponent, Kent Cox, advised
Cook to put the ball (a Titleist) away for safe keeping. The change in equipment from Titleist to
Noodle and 7 iron to sand wedge created the same
result just two holes later on the 112-yard 15th hole.
“It was butter again. Pow. Nice and high, it hops
once and boom – right in,” Cook recounted.
George Cook, Two Holes-in-one
Cook not only made good on the two perfect shots,
but added a birdie on hole 18 and parred his final hole, the 10th, to shoot 33
(two-under) a wonderful performance for the duffer who regularly shoots in the
low 40’s for nine holes.
Cook’s feat gained attention via national media. “I’m just a hack, like everyone
else. I’d never even been close to one before,” Cook said.
Keep up the good work Montana golfers! We’ll gladly save space in next
month’s newsletter for another astounding feat – there’s no quota for holes-inone this year, why not get two in your next round?
7/8/17 - 7/9/17
The Gleason Haralson
Sidney CC (Sidney)
7/8/17 - 7/9/17
Tri-Tee Tourney
Trestle Creek GC (St. Regis)
7/9/17
Rotary Blast
Prairie Farms GC (Havre)
7/10/17
Big Bros Big Sisters Celebrity Tourn
Big Sky GC (Big Sky)
7/10/17
Cascade County Junior Golf Tour
Eagle Falls GC (Great Falls)
7/10/17
PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am
Old Works GC (Anaconda)
7/10/17
RMSPGA (YC) Pro-Am
Cottonwood Hills GC (Bozeman)
7/10/17
Wheat Montana Junior Tour
Valley View GC (Bozeman)
7/11/17
Missoula Junior Golf Tour
The Ranch Club (Missoula)
7/12/17
Cascade County Junior Golf Tour
Pondera GC (Conrad)
7/12/17
Hawaiian Open Ladies Invitational
Livingston GC (Livingston)
7/12/17 - 7/13/17
Buffalo Hill Junior Club Championships
Buffalo Hill GC (Kalispell)
7/12/17 - 7/13/17
RMSPGA (YC) Yellowstone Jr Champ
Powell GC (Powell, WY)
7/13/17
CHS
Marias Valley GC (Shelby)
7/13/17
Mission Mountain Ladies Best Ball
Mission Mountain GC (Ronan)
7/13/17
MLWGA Ladies Invitational
Meadow Lark CC (Great Falls)
7/13/17 - 7/15/17
MCC Men’s Member-Guest
Missoula CC (Missoula)
7/14/17
Flathead Builders Assoc Scramble
Village Greens GC (Kalispell)
7/14/17 - 7/16/17
The Cannon Ball (Member Guest)
Scobey GC (Scobey)
7/15/17
A.L.E.R.T. Scramble
Village Greens GC (Kalispell)
Congratulations to our newest
Ace Club Members!
Did you get a hole-in-one? Go to www.msgagolf.org to see
how to get your MSGA Hole-in-One Certificate!
Mark Kohoutek, 6/25/17, Meadow Lark CC, Hole #4, 123 yds, Pitching Wedge
Blain Nicholls, 6/22/17, Canyon River GC, Hole #14, 174 yds, 6 Iron
Dan Petersen, 6/21/17, Meadow Lark CC, Hole #6, 173 yds, 5 Wood
Michelle D. Luce, 6/13/17, Yellowstone CC, Hole #8, 93 yds, 9 Iron
Daniel Ehlang, 6/4/17, Exchange City GC, Hole #12, 162 yds, 4 Iron
2017 Montana State Junior Champions Crowned
Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director
Marias Valley Golf & Country Club played host to the 2017 MSGA State
Junior Tournament, June 19-20.
Joey Moore, no stranger to both
prep and junior golf success won
the 16-18 age group with a total
of 137 (-5). Moore, who will be
a senior at Billings West this fall,
closed with a sizzling six-underpar 66 after opening with 71.
Moore came back from a six shot
deficit to begin the final round,
forcing a playoff with high
school teammate Caleb Trost,
who opened with the low round
of 65 (-7) and finished with even
par 72 on day two. The first
playoff hole witnessed a dramatic
conclusion as Moore promptly
holed a wedge shot from 67
yards for eagle to win.
Rylan Perriman, a senior-to-be
at Great Falls High, finished
in third, three shots back, with
rounds of 72-68, 140. West,
Trost, Perriman, and Colton
Hudson 69-72, 141, of Huntley,
all finished under par for the
tournament and will play in the
Junior America’s Cup representing Montana.
Perriman will also compete in
the Montana-Alberta Cup with
Bucky Crippen of Missoula,
Jack Thorsen of Bozeman, and
Braxton Humphrey of Billings.
...Continued on the next page
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Boys 16-18: 1st, Joey Moore; 2nd, Caleb Trost;
3rd, Rylan Perriman; 4th, Colton Hudson
Boys 14-15: 1st, Carson Hackmann; 2nd, Jarek Shepherd;
3rd, Nick Pasquarello; 4th, Konner Flint
Boys 13 & Under: 1st, Jordan Verge; 2nd, Justus Verge;
3rd, Tyler Avery; 4th, Conor Walsh
STATE JUNIORS ... from previous page
Finishing out things on the boys’ side, Jordan Verge of Bozeman won the 13 and
under division with rounds of 68-67, 135. Carson Hackmann of Laurel had low
honors for the 14-15 flight with
74-68, 142. Hackmann and Jack
Shepherd of Conrad, who finished second in the division with
77-80, will be members of the
Montana-Alberta Cup team.
On the girls’ side, Macee Greenwood of Corvallis posted 86-77,
163, to win the 13 and under
title. Isadora Tomazeli of Missoula shot 78-79, 157, to win the
14-15 age group, Carrie Carpenter of Billings 81-80, 161, was
second. Tamazeli and Carpenter
will compete in the MontanaAlberta Cup.
Girls 16-18: 1st, Tricia Joyce; 2nd, Kylie Esh; 3rd, Laurel
Ward; 4th, Hannah Rosanova
Girls 14-15: 1st, Isadora Tomazeli; 2nd, Carrie Carpenter;
3rd, Katie Fagg; 4th, Ashtyn Swigart
Girls 13 & Under: 1st, Macee Greenwood; 2nd, T.J. Nordahl;
3rd, Karsyn Swigart; 4th, Isabella Johnson
Butte’s Tricia Joyce 76-72, 148,
won the girls’ 16-18 division
and earned a bid to the Junior
America’s Cup. Joyce edged out
Missoula’s Kylie Esh who fired
74-75, 149. Joyce and Esh will
be joined by Laurel Ward (7874, 152) and Hannah Rosanova
(76-78, 154), both of Bozeman,
on the Junior America’s Cup
squad. In addition to the 14-15
age competitors, the MontanaAlberta Cup Team will feature
Joyce, Esh, and Ward, along with
Kinsey Irvin 78-76, 154, who
was defeated in a playoff for
fourth.
For complete results, go to http://www.msgagolf.org/tournament-results.
100th Men’s State Amateur
Deadline: July 13th
100th Women’s State Amateur
Deadline: July 15th
-Three MSGA Logo Choices -
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7/15/17
Club Championship
Airport GC (Wolf Point)
7/15/17
Digger Open
Trestle Creek GC (St. Regis)
7/15/17
Pepsi Tournament
Stillwater GC (Columbus)
7/15/17
Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundtn
Plentywood GC (Plentywood)
7/16/17
Alice Ritzman Junior Golf Fundraiser
Buffalo Hill GC (Kalispell)
7/17/17
Ladies Invitational
Whitefish Lake GC (Whitefish)
7/17/17
PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am
Butte CC (Butte)
7/17/17
Wheat Montana Junior Tour
Riverside CC (Bozeman)
7/18/17
Missoula Junior Golf Tour
University GC (Missoula)
7/20/17 - 7/21/17
21st Mission Mountain Seniors
Mission Mountain GC (Ronan)
7/20/17 - 7/22/17
Montana State Men’s Amateur
Missoula CC (Missoula)
7/20/17 - 7/22/17
MT State Women’s & Sr Women’s Am
Laurel GC (Laurel)
7/20/17 - 7/22/17
The Lark Member-Guest
Meadow Lark CC (Great Falls)
7/20/17- 8/6/17
vTour THE “BIG DOG” RUN
Register at msgavtour.golfnet.com
7/21/17
NW Montana Association of Realtors
Village Greens GC (Kalispell)
7/22/17
DFMAN Redball Tourney
Jawbone Creek CC (Harlowton)
7/22/17
Marias Mixer (Couples Event)
Marias Valley GC (Shelby)
7/22/17
River Runs Through It
Livingston GC (Livingston)
7/22/17 - 7/23/17
MT Disabled American Veterans Tourn
Bill Roberts GC (Helena)
7/24/17
Cascade County Junior Golf Tour
Signal Point GC (Fort Benton)
June Tournament Roundup
Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director
Old Works Amateur
Sean Benson of Billings fired rounds of 75-72, 147, to claim the Old Works
Amateur. Jackie Mee of Missoula was low net finisher with 72-76, 148, and a
140 net. Day one leader, Caleb Stetzner was second gross with 71-79, 150. Josh
Heath was third with 78-74, 152.
88th Oilfield Invitational
Sean Gilligan picked up his second Oilfield Trophy
thanks to rounds of 71-71, 142 (-2), as Marias Valley
Golf & Country Club in Shelby hosted the 88th Oilfield
Invitational.
Joey Moore
Gilligan of Sunburst, who won in 2015, edged out Missoula’s Bob Hasquet 70-73, 143 (-1). Ross Bartell of Great
Falls was third with 71-74, 145. James Russell of Shelby
shot 149, and defending champion, Brady Kirkeby of
Helena, was fifth at 150.
Trusted Choice Big I National Junior Qualifier
Joey Moore of Billings and Kameryn Basye of Bozeman
are headed to Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi, by virtue of winning medalist honors in regional
competition to compete for the Big I Junior Championship.
Kameryn Basye
Bridger Creek in Bozeman played host to the qualifier.
Moore’s two-day total of 133 and Basye’s 155 were good
enough to vault the junior golfers to Mississippi. The
championship will be contested August 7-10.
Park City’s Liam Clancy finished second on the boys side,
with a 137 total, and also will be headed to the national
tournament thanks to his performance.
This year, more than 70 golfers entered the state tournament. Nationally, more than 2,000 boys and girls golfers
participated in 60 local and state qualifying tournaments.
Liam Clancy
Raffle Tickets on Sale Now!
ALL proceeds go to support Junior golf programs in Montana!
Go to www.msgagolf.org/raffle-fundraiser for more information and to download a brochure with application.
Twelve great trips are offered, including Scotland, British
Columbia, Hawaii, and a Mexican Riviera Cruise! Don’t want
to go it alone? Have a mini-raffle with your league group, your
workmates, or your friends, and buy a ticket together. With
only 300 tickets sold, and 2 winners a month, your chances are
good for a return on the cost of the ticket.
And, ultimately, it goes toward a great cause... our kids, the
future golfers of Montana. Get your ticket today! Thanks for
your support!
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7/24/17
County Juniors
Laurel GC (Laurel)
7/24/17
RMSPGA (YC) Pro-Am
Powell GC (Powell, WY)
7/24/17
Wheat Montana Jr Tour (Ages 7-13)
Headwaters GC (Three Forks)
7/24/17
Wheat Montana Jr Tour (Ages 14-17)
Madison Meadows GC (Ennis)
7/24/17 - 7/25/17
Men’s US Amateur Qualifer
The Ranch Club (Missoula)
7/25/17
Missoula Junior Golf Tour
Linda Vista GC (Missoula)
7/25/17
RMSPGA (YC) Ladies Pro-Am
Hilands GC (Billings)
7/25/17 - 7/27/17
Boys Junior America’s Cup
The Home Course (Dupont, WA)
7/25/17 - 7/28/17
CSGA Junior Academy
Missoula CC (Missoula)
7/26/17 - 7/27/17
RMSPGA (YC) Gallatin Valley Jr Champ
Bridger Creek GC (Bozeman)
7/27/17 - 7/29/17
29th Annual Governor’s Cup
The Flathead Valley
7/28/17
2-Man Practice Round
Stillwater GC (Columbus)
7/29/17
Bobcat Scramble
Polson Bay GC (Polson)
7/29/17
Ladies Invitational
Beaverhead GC (Dillon)
7/29/17
Sizzler
Marias Valley GC (Shelby)
7/29/17 - 7/30/17
2-Man Tournament
Stillwater GC (Columbus)
7/29/17 - 7/30/17
Mens & Ladies Club Championship
Canyon River GC (Missoula)
7/29/17 - 7/30/17
Tobacco Root Classic
Headwaters GC (Three Forks)
7/31/17
Cascade County Junior Golf Tour
Anaconda Hills GC (Great Falls)
7/31/17
Missoula Junior Golf Tour Champ
Missoula CC (Missoula)
7/31/17
PNWPGA (WMC) Pro-Am
Green Meadow CC (Helena)
7/31/17
RMSPGA (YC) Pro-Am
Eaglerock GC (Billings)
7/31/17
Wheat Montana Junior Tour
Cottonwood Hills GC (Bozeman)
Support Junior Golf!
Proceeds from MSGA Specialty
Plates are used to help support
Junior Golf Programs in Montana.
msgagolf.org/golf-etiquette-101
Billings’ Sean Benson Claims Montana State Match Play Championship
Nick Dietzen, MSGA Communications Director
The Magic City was well represented as Sean Benson defeated fellow Billings’ golfer
Jordy Donoven 4 & 3 in the Montana State Match Play Championship held at Green
Meadow Country Club.
Both golfers not only claim Billings as a hometown, but they are left-handed golfers
and have had tremendous success in the Frontier Conference. Benson, who will be
a junior at Montana Tech this fall, uncharacteristically struggled in the stroke-play
qualifier and by virtue received the 27th of 32 seeds for Match Play. That was the
most resistance the sweet-swinging lefty had as the rest of the weekend was mostly
stress-free considering the format.
Sean Benson
(Photo by Jerek Wolcott)
Jordy Donoven
Semi-finalists Match Play
Benson and Donoven (who competed at Rocky Mountain College) have squared off in stroke play
many times before, but in match play through eight holes it was all knotted up. Benson moved
quickly from all-square status to three-up with consecutive victories on holes nine through eleven.
After finding the hazard on the par-three 12th hole, Benson was able to get up and down and tie
Donoven, continue the momentum and eventually seize hold of the match on the par-four 14th hole.
Benson elected to lay up to a water hazard and safely reach the green in regulation as Donoven attempted to drive the green and make up ground. Donoven’s ball found the hazard and with that the
match’s result was nearly solidified as Benson went on to win 4 & 3.
Benson’s route to the championship included victories over Drew Vanyo of Missoula, Rob Logsdon
of Helena, Garrett Woodin of Billings, and Brady Kirkeby of Helena. In the consolation match, Helena golfers Kirkeby and Marc Parriman were head to head. Kirkeby, no stranger to the semifinals of
the tournament won his match 3 & 2 to claim third place.
Tournament organizers Bennett MacIntyre and Spencer Williams, both of Helena, have rejuvenated the event that was traditionally held on the western half of
the state before being discontinued. The past five years have seen Green Meadow
play host and entries have risen. This year’s field of 55 entrants made for a competitive group, bringing golfers from all around Montana to the Queen City.
(Photo by Jerek Wolcott)
“Our goal is to attract the best players in Montana,” MacIntyre said. “The reality of this is it’s the only amateur tournament in Montana with a cut. There’s some good players who
Marc Parriman
(Photo by Jerek Wolcott)
didn’t even make it. We hope to continue to have a strong field and increased entries going forward.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________
The MSGA caught up with the 2017 champion Sean Benson to discuss the uniqueness of playing match play, golf ’s oldest
format.
MSGA: How do you like playing match play in comparison to all the events that you play which are stroke play?
SB: I love it. It’s totally different. You don’t have to worry about making doubles, you just go out and play each hole and
try to beat your opponent. If you do well, you don’t have to play all 18, you just move on to ...Continued on the next page
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MATCH PLAY ... from previous page
the next match.
MSGA: How often do you play matches?
SB: This is the second time I’ve played in this tournament. To win was awesome. Last year I had a
bad taste in my mouth losing to Caleb Stetzner the way I did (6 & 5). I have played some Ryder Cup
style matches in the past with the Rocky Mountain Junior Golf Tour down in Arizona. I don’t get to
play it a lot, so I prefer it since it’s so rare to get the chance.
MSGA: What did you think of this year’s change going from qualifying to matches on day one?
SB: I’m used to playing 36 holes in a day during Frontier Conference play, so that was not a problem
for me. I had my girlfriend, Courtney, caddying for me so it was a good walk.
Sean Benson
MSGA: Was the qualifier the most nerve-racking of the whole weekend?
SB: Yeah, especially considering I had two shanks, four doubles, and a triple during that round. After that, I had to go
into the clubhouse and just move on from that and focus on matches.
MSGA: What, if any, changes in your mindset occur when you play matches?
SB: I really just focus on each hole and trying to be aggressive, put my foot on the pedal, and go. I am flag hunting more,
worried less about position on drives – try to hit it long, throw a wedge in close, and make as many birdies as I can.
MSGA: Congrats on the victory, it’s been a good start to the summer. What’s up next for you before the college season
comes around again?
SB: Thanks. I played in the Old Works Open and played well, was able to beat Jackie Mee, and with this win, it’s been a
good start. I will play the 4th of July Tournament in Whitefish, the State Amateur in Missoula, and then it’s August, so
we’ll kick things off with practice and on to the season.
The Rainmaker Swing
Knee-Knocker Open
PLAYER PRIZES:
Fred Schweitzer, Cottonwood Hills GC
Leo Wikstrom, Glacier View GC
Tim Casey, Laurel GC
Larry Spangrud, Overland GC
Kelly Williams, Bill Roberts GC
Tom Hammerel, Yegen GC
Kevin Krook, Stillwater GC
Kenny Trust, Eagle Bend GC
Jim Schaible, Buffalo Hill GC
Justin Sullivan, Missoula CC
Julie Embleton, Hamilton GC
Paula Blessinger, Bill Roberts GC
Marina Ramias, Village Greens GC
Kandi Davis, Riverside CC
Deb Savas, Briarwood CC
Karen Holmes, Village Greens GC
Try the MSGA
Smartphone APP.
Available in the
Apple or
Android Stores.
PLAYER PRIZES:
Robin Allen, Whitefish Lake GC
Bob Duncan, Iron Horse GC
Tim Keating, Laurel GC
Michael Hoffer, University GC
Dave Whisenand, Bridger Creek GC
Garry Williams, Bill Roberts GC
Ron McGrorty, Fox Ridge GC
Mike Baumgartner, Eagle Falls GC
Charlie Mueller, Bill Roberts GC
Joel Voytoski, Canyon River GC
Donna Wehlage, Whitefish Lake GC
Vickey Ward, Larchmont GC
Cindy Stein, Whitefish Lake GC
Linda Blakney, King Ranch GC
Erin Kelly, Anaconda CC
Cathy Grace, Black Bull
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Contact Nick Dietzen at:
[email protected]
(406) 459-3459
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