MSU Golfers Head to Red Rocks Invite

For the eighth consecutive season, the Montana State Women's golf team will travel to Sedona, Arizona March 2-3, for the Red Rocks Invitational hosted by Northern Arizona University.

Last season the Bobcats finished seventh among 20 teams in the tournament. MSU's best team finish competing in the Invitational came in 2006 with a sixth place finish. Montana State has had one individual champion during the seven years in the tournament. In 2009 Kelly Gillum posted rounds of 75-73 to total four-over par 148 for the two-day event for the first place trophy.

The tournament will be played at Oakcreek Country Club in Sedona, a par 72, 18-hole golf course (6,089 yards). Along with MSU and host Northern Arizona University, the teams competing include British Columbia, Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Northridge, Eastern Michigan, Eastern Washington, Grand Canyon, Idaho State, North Dakota, Northern Kentucky, Oakland, Seattle, South Dakota, Southern Utah, Toledo, Utah Valley, Weber State and Western Michigan.

Competing for MSU are Paige Crawford, Molly Dorans, Kati Greear, Kelly O'Brien and Pamela Calderon Rojas. Once again, the Bobcats have three golfers competing who have played the course at Oakcreek. At last year's invitational, Dorans finished 24^th, Crawford came in 50^th and O'Brien in 78^th. O'Brien knows the advantages of being familiar with the course. “It's good experience. It is always nice to know the course you are playing, where to hit it and where not to hit it and also the different clubs you've hit.”

Since early January, the Bobcats have been practicing in MSU's indoor facility, and aside from the first tournament of the spring season February 11-13 in Chandler, Ariz., for the Lumberjack at Ocotillo, haven't had the opportunity to prepare outside. “It's a tough transition from being indoors to competing outside. In the facility, we can't see the ball flight so we work on our targets and dialing in on the short putts,” added O'Brien. Mental preparation is also key as Montana State gets ready for action, “A lot of it is mental. We need to focus and do our best. Other than ourselves there isn't much we can control,” said Calderon Rojas.

With over two weeks since MSU has last competed, head coach Brittany Basye is confident the Bobcats are ready. “I'm very anxious to get the team back on green grass and to keep moving forward and building confidence. We've been working hard mentally and now need to put it into action. I know the ladies are ready to compete.” Basye said.

The 36-hole tournament will begin on Saturday with a 1 p.m. shotgun start, while Sunday will begin at 8 a.m. also with a shotgun start.

Results following each day of competition will be posted at msubobcats.com. For scoring updates and highlights throughout the season “like” MSU Golf on Facebook and follow the Bobcats on http://msubobcatgolf.blogspot.com/.

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