The Montana State women’s golf team took a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Bobcat Desert Classic at the Golf Club of Estrella, according to an April 13 announcement. The team posted a score of 1-under 287 on Monday, putting them ahead in the tournament’s early stages.
This performance puts Montana State in a strong position as they aim for success in the multi-round event. Early leads can be important in collegiate golf tournaments, where consistency over several rounds often determines final standings.
Ashleigh Wilson and Eva Heinz led Montana State with rounds of 71, tying for third place individually through 18 holes. Lauren Greeny contributed an even-par 72 to tie for eighth place, while Maddie Montoya finished tied for eighteenth with a round of 73. Head coach Brittany Basye said, “A solid first round today – always a good day when you are below par. I thought we started off a little slow, maybe too hesitant, and then they settled in and started making birdies. It’s a team effort with this group, and they are sticking to the game plan. It’s nice to see hard work paying off for them. Tomorrow is a new day and a new round of golf, and I am excited to see what they accomplish for round two. Lots of golf left!”
Other notable performances included Sailor Graham posting a score of 75 while competing individually for twenty-eighth place after carding four straight pars at the start and birdies on holes eleven and fifteen. Norah Seidl and Lauren Nau both shot rounds of seventy-seven to share forty-second place.
At one under par (287), Montana State is followed by Seattle University at one over (289) and Weber State at two over (290). North Dakota State’s Avery Bartels holds an individual lead with five under par (67), ahead by two strokes from Seattle U’s Zoe Rubichon (69). Five players—including Wilson and Heinz—are tied at third after shooting rounds of seventy-one.
The second round will begin Tuesday morning with an early shotgun start. Live scoring is available online.
