(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
RIVERSIDE, C.A. – Jaylee Tait fired a 2-under-par 70 and Kelly Hooper shot even-par to help lead the Montana State golf team to a third round 301 on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Battle at the Rock hosted by UC Riverside.
MSU completed the final round of play at Oak Quarry Golf Club with its fourth best 18-hole score as a team this season. The Bobcats moved up from 14th to 12th on Tuesday behind a three-day total of 919, jumping past Montana (931) and CSU Fullerton (923).
“The 301 is a good score considering we haven’t been outside and on a real-life golf course,” Montana State head coach Brittany Basye said. “Kelly and Jaylee definitely came through for the team today. Delaney (Elliott) birdied her last hole to shoot 79 and Jaylee birdied her last hole to go to 2-under. Kelly parred her last hole to stay even and those were clutch moments.”
Tait completed MSU’s second-best round of the season by knocking in five birdies, with three coming on the back nine. Tait’s 6-over 222 (80-72-70) placed her in a tie for 19th and her total was her best 54-hole tournament of the season.
Hooper followed her 72 in the second round with a 72 in the final round thanks to a 2-under score on the front nine. Her 10-over 226 put her in a tie for 32nd overall.
Delaney Elliott wrapped up her appearance at the tournament by shooting a 79 and finished tied for 46th at 231 strokes (77-75-79). Coral Schulz rounded out the MSU scoring lineup Tuesday and completed the tournament at 240 (79-81-80) strokes.
“We need everyone on this team to contribute and play well,” Basye said. “We had some inconsistencies which is to be expected. We’re hitting it well on the range, now we need to get everyone hitting it well on the golf course.”
Lilly Navarre finished with a 243 and Clare Dittemore marked down a 251 to complete tournament play for the Bobcats.
“This team has a ton of talent,” Basye said. “It’s early in the season. Two rounds under our team average coming out of winter is a good start. We just need keep learning and trusting our games.”
Montana State returns to action from Feb. 24-25 when the Bobcats compete in the Grand Canyon Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz.
