Monday, April 18
Talking Stick Golf Club<br>Scottsdale, Ariz.
Montana
at
Big Sky Conference Championships
Griz golf finishes eighth in Big Sky Championship
4/20/2022 5:07:00 PM | Golf
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Montana women's golf team concluded its last round in the Big Sky Championship, finishing eighth overall, scoring 300 in the last round of 18. The Griz had their best finish in the Big Sky Championship since 2018, when the Griz finished seventh overall.
Northern Arizona took the trophy this go around, finishing the tournament scoring 872 (288-287-297). Sacramento State was six strokes behind, finishing the Championship scoring 878 (286-304-288). From there, it was as tight race from sixth to 11th place, with each place being determined by four strokes or fewer.
Though the Griz didn't achieve their goal of breaking 300, they continued to play solid golf across the board.
"That's a tough pill to swallow because we should've broken 300. We had a lot of bogeys the last two holes and a couple of birdie opportunities that didn't drop," said head coach Kris Nord.
"The course is playing a little tougher today, pinning placements was a little tougher. I'm really pleased that we kept going in the right direction with our total score. I'm glad we've climbed. We talked about climbing the ladder and get as high as we could. I don't think our kids are ecstatic, but they are pleased."
Jessica Ponce led the Griz throughout the tournament, scoring one over par and logging two birdies to finish the day. The junior tied for sixth overall in the tournament, scoring 220 (72-75-73). Ponce was tied with two other players, and was two strokes behind clinching fourth place.
"Jess has been our steady head. She's calm and keeps her poise throughout the entire day and it just shows in her golf. She doesn't make many bad decisions at all and she's improved since the Big Sky Conference Championship last year. That's the only tournament where I've seen her falter and this was kind of a redemption Big Sky for her so I'm really happy. She deserved it; she's put in a lot of work," said Nord.
Kylie Esh was the second Griz player to place in the top-20, posting an overall score of 224 (76-71-77) to help her tie for 16th overall. The senior finished the tournament registering one birdie to help keep her in the top-20 range. Esh was two strokes shy of tying for 15th overall.
Emmy Sundby was consistent throughout the week, getting progressively better as the tournament continued. The junior finished the day scoring 74 and tallied three birdies. In three rounds, she scored 235 (82-79-74) to help her tie for 42nd overall.
Tricia Joyce was close behind Sundby, scoring 76 on the day and logging three birdies. The junior finished the tournament scoring 239 (82-81-76) to boost her to 49th overall.
Allison Sobol finished the tournament with an overall score of 244 (79-80-85) which put her tied for 53rd overall.
Now that season has concluded for the Griz, Nord has a few things he plans to focus on going forward.
"We've got specific ideas now that we've seen a lot of competition for the returners to work on and that's going to be invaluable time to make those changes and maybe come back a bit better."
Not only will the Montana have a handful of returners back on the greens next season, the Grizzlies will also have some fresh faces joining the program.
"We have our best recruiting class. I'm excited about next year," added Nord.
Northern Arizona took the trophy this go around, finishing the tournament scoring 872 (288-287-297). Sacramento State was six strokes behind, finishing the Championship scoring 878 (286-304-288). From there, it was as tight race from sixth to 11th place, with each place being determined by four strokes or fewer.
Though the Griz didn't achieve their goal of breaking 300, they continued to play solid golf across the board.
"That's a tough pill to swallow because we should've broken 300. We had a lot of bogeys the last two holes and a couple of birdie opportunities that didn't drop," said head coach Kris Nord.
"The course is playing a little tougher today, pinning placements was a little tougher. I'm really pleased that we kept going in the right direction with our total score. I'm glad we've climbed. We talked about climbing the ladder and get as high as we could. I don't think our kids are ecstatic, but they are pleased."
Jessica Ponce led the Griz throughout the tournament, scoring one over par and logging two birdies to finish the day. The junior tied for sixth overall in the tournament, scoring 220 (72-75-73). Ponce was tied with two other players, and was two strokes behind clinching fourth place.
"Jess has been our steady head. She's calm and keeps her poise throughout the entire day and it just shows in her golf. She doesn't make many bad decisions at all and she's improved since the Big Sky Conference Championship last year. That's the only tournament where I've seen her falter and this was kind of a redemption Big Sky for her so I'm really happy. She deserved it; she's put in a lot of work," said Nord.
Kylie Esh was the second Griz player to place in the top-20, posting an overall score of 224 (76-71-77) to help her tie for 16th overall. The senior finished the tournament registering one birdie to help keep her in the top-20 range. Esh was two strokes shy of tying for 15th overall.
Emmy Sundby was consistent throughout the week, getting progressively better as the tournament continued. The junior finished the day scoring 74 and tallied three birdies. In three rounds, she scored 235 (82-79-74) to help her tie for 42nd overall.
Tricia Joyce was close behind Sundby, scoring 76 on the day and logging three birdies. The junior finished the tournament scoring 239 (82-81-76) to boost her to 49th overall.
Allison Sobol finished the tournament with an overall score of 244 (79-80-85) which put her tied for 53rd overall.
Now that season has concluded for the Griz, Nord has a few things he plans to focus on going forward.
"We've got specific ideas now that we've seen a lot of competition for the returners to work on and that's going to be invaluable time to make those changes and maybe come back a bit better."
Not only will the Montana have a handful of returners back on the greens next season, the Grizzlies will also have some fresh faces joining the program.
"We have our best recruiting class. I'm excited about next year," added Nord.
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