Briefs: Change coming to Men's State Am; Milton; Brisendine; Lakers scramble

The Montana State Men’s Amateur Championship will introduce a new qualifying structure for its 110th playing in 2027, the Montana State Golf Association announced on Monday.  

The 2027 State Am is set for June 24–26 at The Wilderness Club in Eureka and will feature a a 96-player field, with players earning entry through local qualifying events or tournament exemptions awarded by the MSGA.  

As part of the change, the Senior and Super Senior Amateur Championships will be separated from the Men’s Amateur and become a stand-alone event. Dates and location will be announced as part of the MSGA’s official schedule release this fall.  

Qualifying for the 2027 State Amateur will begin in fall 2026 and continue in spring 2027, with events hosted at courses across Montana. Players may compete in as many qualifiers as they choose, with each qualifier limited to 48 players. 

Larchmont Golf Course in Missoula will host the first qualifier on Sept. 26, followed by Lake Hills Golf Course in Billings on Oct. 10. Four spots in the 2027 field will be awarded at each event. The MSGA anticipates hosting an additional four to six local qualifiers in spring 2027. 

“Our staff and volunteers are committed to balancing the demand for our championships with opportunities for players across the state to compete,” MSGA executive director Nick Dietzen said in a release. 

Lakers Golf  Classic Sept. 2 

Registration is open for the 2026 Kalispell Lakers Golf Classic, which will be Sept. 2 at Village Greens Golf Course. 

Cost is $600 per team or $150 per individual; fees including the scramble, cart, range balls and dinner, and there will hole prizes as well as rewards for low gross and low net. 

To sign up head to kalispelllakers.org and click on the Events & Camps button. 

MHSA honors Polson’s Milton 

Polson golfer Max Milton was named the Montana High School Association’s male Athlete of the Week for Aug. 31-Sept. 6, after his blazing start to the season. 

The junior was medalist at the Helena Invitational, played at Bill Roberts Golf Course on Sept. 3-4, with rounds of 63 and 64 for a two-day total of 17-under par. He finished 10 strokes ahead of the defending tournament champion, John Gilbert of Helena Capital. 

The MHSA noted Milton, who recently committed to the University of San Diego, holds a scoring average of 66.1. 

The Female Athlete of the Week was Livingston soccer player Loralai Iverson, who had five goals and an assist in a 7-1 win over Hamilton on Sept. 5. 

Brisendine scores goal in WSU’s 1-1 draw 

Glacier HIgh product Reagan Brisendine scored a goal in Washington State’s 1-1 draw with host Cal State-Fullerton on Sunday. 

Brisendine, one of nine University of Montana player to move to the Cougars with coach Chris Citowicki, scored the equalizer off an assist from Lexi Lee in the 26th minute.  

The tie left WSU with a 2-3-3 record going into a Wednesday home match with Seattle University. Brisendine has one goal and one assist this season and is fifth on the team in minutes played.