Higgins, Griz finish third in Spokane

Sunday, October 6

The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course; Spokane, Wash.

Montana

Tri-State Invitational

Photos: Eastern Washington Athletics

10/7/2024 8:00:00 PM | Golf

PDF Results

By: Montana Sports Information

Elle Higgins shot a second-round, 1-over 73 to tie for third and Montana carded a 296 on Monday as the two-day Tri-State Invitational wrapped up at The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course in Spokane, Wash.

The Grizzlies (302-296) finished third at the four-team tournament, two strokes behind Eastern Washington (303-293), 11 behind team champion Idaho (290-297).

"We played better today. If we could have avoided some big numbers, it would have been a really good day," said coach Jimmy Mee.

"Everybody did a really good job of rebounding from some mishaps. Overall it was really close to being a really good round."

All eight of Montana's golfers -- five scoring players, three individuals -- shot 78 or better and the octet piled up 24 birdies.

Higgins (74-73) had four, freshman Bella Johnson (76-74) had six, all coming in the first 10 holes. She also had four double-bogeys to finish with a 2-over 74 and in a tie for ninth.

Kate Bogenschutz (79-74) had four birdies over the final 10 holes and came in at 74, her best collegiate round, while Raina Ports (81-75) carded a 75.

Kendall Hayward (73-78) tied for 14th, Bogenschutz tied for 18th, Hannah Ports (79-75) tied for 20th, Raina Ports and Kylie Franklin (80-76) tied for 22nd.

Madison Cecil (89-75) improved by 14 strokes from Sunday to Monday to finish 30th.

"We did a good job with the birdies part. We just had a few too many doubles. We're getting there," said Mee.

"Our attitudes were great today. Everybody handled their poor holes. We were able to put them behind us and move on, which is what good teams do. We're making a lot of progress."

Gonzaga's Taylor Mularski (73-72) and Idaho's Emma Kang (71-74) tied for first at 1-over, two strokes ahead of Higgins and Eastern Washington's Kami Twining.

Montana will compete next Monday and Tuesday at the Portland State Invitational, to be held at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland.