BILLINGS — One of the most decorated and dominant senior golfers in recent Montana history is now a Hall of Famer.
Earlier this week Billings native Jerry Pearsall was inducted as part of the MSGA’s 2026 class.
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“The whole Hall of Fame thing has been — I didn't know quite what to think when I first heard about it but it's such an honor," Pearsall said. "(Wednesday) night's banquet was pretty special with a lot of good friends and family. That's what makes it special, is sharing it with other people like that. My good friend Craig Hurlbert was on the screen last night, which was special, and my other best friend Rich Nagle was here from Los Angeles. It was just an awesome week."
Pearsall won the State Senior tournament in 2019, 2024 and did so for a third time on Thursday. He did so by pulling away from fellow Hall of Famer Bill Dunn on the back nine of the final round.
“We went back and forth with eagle on No. 8 and (Dunn) eagle'd No. 9 then made birdie on No. 10. So when I fell one back, it's OK. I hit a good shot on No. 11," Pearsall said of his birdie on the Par 3 to tie Dunn. "What I think really broke it open is I made a totally unexpected long putt on 13, the Par 5," Pearsall said. "It's one of those that's almost embarrassing to make, but it went in and gave me a one-shot lead, then I played pretty solid coming in."
Thursday’s final round of the 2026 State Senior tournament was a full-circle moment of sorts for Pearsall. He wrapped up the tourney with a 6-under 66 at Lake Hills, where he served as the assistant pro from 1986-93.
“It helped me a few times. A few putts, especially, I was confident with my reads. I knew there would be a lot of break, like my putt on No. 12," Pearsall said. "It makes a difference. It's definitely helpful, especially around the greens. Bill, he's never played here, so he doesn't have any scar tissue. Sometimes you have to forget about that, too."
Pearsall has his spot in the MSGA Hall of Fame, but he’s not finished adding to his resume.
