Big Sky Times

Garner, O’Neil Help Lead Yellowjackets to Success at the Nighthawk Invitational

The Montana State University Billings men's golf team concluded a successful performance at the NNU Nighthawk Invitational, finishing in fourth place as a team with a pair of top ten finishers.

 

Carson Garner finished in ninth place, while Paul O'Neil ended in a tie for tenth place. Playing on Poppy Ridge Golf Course, Garner hit nine birdies over the 36 holes, shooting a 149 (75-74) to gain the Yellowjackets highest overall finish of the spring season so far. O'Neil wasn't far behind him, finishing with a score of 150 (74-76). With three birdies, O'Neil limited mistakes throughout the tournament, shooting par or better on 27 of 36 holes in the tournament.

 

As a team, the 'Jackets finished with a score of 606 (306-300). MSUB were the top GNAC team in the field, outperforming Saint Martin's University and Northwest Nazarene.

 

"We had a nice finish to end our California trip," said head coach Adam Buie. "The men all fought windy conditions to all shoot in the 70's, and 300 as a team. Carson and Paul played really well this week to finish in the top ten. Blake came back with a really nice final round to move into the top 25. It's always nice to beat other GNAC schools."

 

Blake Finn shot a 154 over the two rounds (80-74), finishing in a tie for 22nd. Finn responded well after a slow start in the first round, finishing with a 74 in round two, collecting four birdies while climbing 16 spots to improve his final finish.

 

Also improving after a tough first round was Dawson Strobel, who finished tied for 30th after scoring a 156 (80-76). Strobel began showing improvements after snagging an eagle on the back nine in the first round, and improved from there, finishing with four birdies on the final round.

 

Kevin Kolb finished tied with Strobel at 156 (77-79). Kolb shot consistently, shooting par on 25 holes across the two days while earning one birdie.

 

Ryan Hong from Cal State East Bay finished in first after defeating Edvin Backstrom on a playoff hole. Backstrom's Holy Names University finished at the top as a team, shooting a 591 in the tournament.

 

THE BUZZ: Garner was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Golfer of the Meet.

 

UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets continue their spring season at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational, a three round tournament at Turlock Country Club in Turlock, California. The tournament is scheduled for March 27-28.

Original source can be found here.