Former Scottie Wins State Golf for DCHS

Dawson County High School senior Breilyn Riggin came back from a one-stroke deficit after day one of the State Class A Golf Tournament to finish as the top lady golfer in Hamilton.

Riggin (163) was three shots better on Saturday than her 83 on Friday to beat Lewistown’s Kinsey Irvin (166) and last year’s runner-up, Butte Central’s Tricia Joyce (168).

Riggin and Irvin tied for 11th last year at the state tournament in Sidney. Riggin was a shot back of Sidney’s Kaelyn Volk after the first round on Friday.

Asked when she knew she had the tournament won, Riggin said she “honestly felt it.”

“I already knew I was ahead because I started off with a birdie, and I kept coming back on holes,” she added. “I birdied both of my par-3s, and after my putt on 18, I knew I had it.”

Riggin managed to follow up her win at the Eastern A Divisional last week in Sidney with a win at the Hamilton Golf Course despite shooting 93 in Sidney on Sept. 10.

She was shooting in the 70s at Cottonwood Country Club during practice over the summer, but her season got off to a slow start. However, Riggin said she never got nervous about the state of her game until state.

“The first day of state I was a little nervous, just because of the fact it would be my last year, and I knew the competition would be really good,” she said.

The way Riggin honed her skills in perfect time for the tournament schedule has already turned some coaches’ heads. She spoke to Dickinson State and will take a tour of the school before considering an offer.

Montana State University-Billings interim coach Kevin Woodin also said he is very aware of Riggin’s ability, and a full-ride scholarship to Miles Community College has already been offered. Riggin said her decision will be based on her goals of becoming a therapist and, perhaps, a coach.

“I would totally teach golf over the summer if I could,” she said. “Two summers ago I taught little kids how to golf … and that’s something I’d really like to do.”