Montana State Closes Big Sky Golf Championship With Strong Performance

Sunday, April 23

Boulder City, NV

Montana State University

2017 Big Sky Conference Championship

Janelle Reali capped her final round as a Bobcat with a solid 2-over-par 74

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

Montana State Closes Big Sky Golf Championship With Strong Performance

4/23/2017 6:32:00 PM | Women's Golf

Final Results

Three Bobcats complete stellar third rounds to help MSU end its season with a solid set of 18 holes

By: Andrew Pedersen

BOULDER CITY, Nev. – The Montana State women's golf team put together one of its top rounds of the season to close out the Big Sky Championship Sunday, April 23, at Boulder Creek Golf Club.

The Bobcats wrapped up the final round of play by firing a 300. The team score was the lowest for MSU over the spring portion of its schedule and tied for fourth best during the entire season. Heading into the final 18 holes, only two teams had eclipsed 300 in a round.

MSU finished in 10th place with a score of 958 (329-329-300). Sacramento State and Idaho were tied at 900 after three rounds, but the Hornets earned Big Sky Championship honors by defeating the Vandals in a playoff hole.

Freshman Kelly Hooper achieved MSU's top nine-hole score of the meet with her efforts on the back nine. Hooper fired a 1-under-par 71, which combined with her 2-over on the front nine, gave her a 1-over 73 on the day. She finished the meet as the tournament's top player on par 5s by shooting 7-under and averaging a score of 4.42, while she also tied for the second highest birdie total among all Big Sky participants (10).

Hooper finished tied for 27th overall at 19-over (235).

Senior Janelle Reali and junior Jaylee Tait both had consistent performances for the Bobcats Sunday. Both shot 1-over on the front and back nine to card 74s.

Reali (242) ended her Bobcat career at the Big Sky Championship by tying for 37th. Tait (243) tied for 42nd overall and tied for 12th among tournament participants in pars (33).

"We knew we could play well and we just needed to prove to ourselves that we know we can play this game," Montana State head coach Brittany Basye said. "I'm happy with how Jaylee, Janelle and Kelly finished. They upped their game and took it to the next level and I'm proud of them for taking that challenge on."

Freshman Delaney Elliott was MSU's second-best finisher with her 34th-place showing (241). She completed the third round with a 79. Freshman Coral Schulz also completed her final round in her Big Sky meet debut with an 87 to take 57th overall (262).

Big Sky Golfer of the Year Sofia Anokhina of Northern Arizona earned the individual title finishing with a meet score of 2-over (218).

"We have three freshmen in our lineup and a junior and we're going to be back next year," Basye said. "That's really exciting. I'm proud of Janelle and how she finished and am excited for what lies ahead for her (as well as our team) in the future."