Montana golf: 4 Griz named WGCA All-American Scholars

The Montana women's golf program had four players named All-American Scholar this week by the Women's Golf Coaches Association. That total matches last year's as the most in program history.

Earning the honor, which requires a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, for 2016-17 were Hailey Hoagland, Kari Opatz, Baylee Barckley and Teigan Avery.

Hoagland was named All-American Scholar for the third time, as was Opatz, who collected the award twice while competing at Concordia-St. Paul prior to transferring to Montana.

Hoagland and Opatz, who led Montana in scoring last year at 78.4 and 77.0, respectively, will be the Grizzlies' two seniors in 2017-18. Hoagland holds a 3.57 GPA as a finance major, Opatz a 3.78 GPA as a psychology major.

Barckley, a rising junior who has a 3.55 GPA as a marketing major, was honored for the second time. Avery, who wrapped up her freshman year with a 4.0 GPA as an economics major, collected her first award.

Barckley had a scoring average last year of 79.8 to rank third on the team behind Opatz and Hoagland. Avery ranked fourth at 79.9.

Montana has collected 22 All-American Scholar awards in program history.