Avery wins Big 'I' Tourney

BOZEMAN — Kalispell’s Teigan Avery set new course and tournament records on Thursday at Bridger Creek Golf Course to convincingly win the Big “I” Junior State Qualifier, and set up a trip to the national championships later this summer.

Avery, an incoming junior at Glacier, shot a 3-under-par 68 on the final day of the tournament, vaulting off of her 73 on Wednesday to finish at 141, five strokes ahead of the field. She started the day one stroke back, but attacked the foggy course to overtake Helena’s Coral Schultz.

“I played a solid round today,” Avery said. “I didn’t get ahead of myself when things started to go well. I kept in the moment.”

Schultz a junior at Helena Capital, finished second, shooting a 74 on the second day, following up a 72 in her opening round. Recent Butte grad Hailey Hoagland, who has signed to play with the University of Montana this fall, finished third. Missoula’s Sadie Crippen finished fourth and Billings’ Kortney McNeil fifth.

By virtue of taking the top two spots, Avery and Schultz earned a spot at the Big “I” National Championship on Aug. 5-8 at Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport, W.V. The girls’ championship, which has taken place since 1993, has seen some prestigious champions, including LPGA major title winners Cristie Kerr and Grace Park.  

Big “I” Junior State Qualifier

Thursday

At Bridger Creek GC

Bozeman

Yardage: 4,929, Par: 71 (36-35)

Final Round

Teigan Avery, Kalispell    73-68    —    141

Coral Schultz, Helena    72-74    —    146

Hailey Hoagland, Butte    73-77    —    150

Sadie Crippen, Missoula    76-75    —    151

Kortney McNeil, Billings    80-76    —    156