Nov. 8, 2011

Final results

The University of Montana had its best team average of the season but against fierce competition the Griz finish in 11^th place at the Challenge at Onion Creek golf tournament in Austin, Texas. Montana closed out its final tournament of the fall season Tuesday shooting 300-309-305--914 at the event.

Montana's 300 in the opening round was its lowest team round of the 2011 fall season.  

First-year head coach Emily Milberger knew this tournament would host the toughest competition that her Grizzly team had seen and she was dead on. The top five team finishing teams all posted sub-300 stroke scores in every round of the tournament.

"This was a really excellent field," Milberger said. "I think the team stepped up their level of play, and realized that they are not far from competing with elite collegiate teams."

Texas Tech (288-291-295--874) came away with the team trophy with its top golfer Gabriella Dominguez (70-69-73--212) walking away with the individual title.

The Grizzlies were led by junior Olivia Weber who finished in a tie for 14^th place. Weber had her best score in the opening round of play Monday morning. Weber, who started slowly on the back nine, had three birdies on the front nine to finish the round with a two-over-par 72. She continued to pace the Griz shooting a pair of 75's in the final two rounds.

Weber was only three strokes off a first-place tie after one round and only two shots back from, eventual winner, Dominguez's last round effort of 73.

Freshman Tara Green (78-75-77--230) continued to improve throughout the tournament ending at 20-over-par after three rounds to come in 42^nd in a field of 75. Green's 75 in the second round was a career low.

"I am excited about the improvements we have made throughout the fall," Milberger concluded. "I think the girls are excited too about how good they can be."

The Grizzlies will now have three months away from competition before they travel to City of Industry, Calif., at the CSU Fullerton Folino Invitational to kick off the spring season.