by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Corvallis’s head golf coach Kristy Schlimgen was recently named the Montana “Coach of the Year” for Boys Class A Golf by the Montana Coaches Association for the 2025 fall high school sports season.
Schlimgen led the Corvallis boys to the 2025 Class A boys state championship on October 4 in Sidney. This was the first state championship for golf at Corvallis.
“I’m so proud of the program, and I’m so proud of the kids,” said Schlimgen. “Golf is a very challenging sport and as a group we had to overcome all sorts of obstacles this year to bring home the title.”
The Corvallis golf program is in its 10th season, and Schlimgen has been the only head coach for the program.
Corvallis’s head golf coach Kristy Schlimgen (second from right) was recently named the Montana “Coach of the Year” for Boys Class A Golf by the Montana Coaches Association for the 2025 fall high school sports season.
“I was initially approached by Todd McKay, Susie Thomas, Tammy Bedey and Ben Greenwood to be the first head coach,” said Schlimgen. “They had a plan to start a program, and I’m so happy I was able to be a part of it. The success of the Corvallis golf program started with them, then over the years there have been so many people who have helped out.”
Schlimgen constantly strives to have the best for her players and for the golf program.
“I have always wanted to provide as many opportunities to my golf team as I could, like golfing at courses like the Stock Farm and the Wilderness Club,” said Schlimgen. “And I also want to make sure our kids always have the best equipment. And since golf can be an expensive sport, we have had tremendous support from the Corvallis community to help provide for the team.”
Winning a state championship at any sport is a challenge, but winning at golf poses a unique set of challenges – the best golfers in the world routinely miss cuts and lose tournaments.
“It’s a unique sport to coach, there are so many variables that have to come together for a team to win, that’s why I’m so proud of this year’s team,” said Schlimgen. “But ultimately, to be a good golf coach you need to be a great administrator. There are a lot of components that you have to keep together.”
Schlimgen continued, “Personally I have been blessed to be on great teams, have had great coaches, and have been a part of many championships, but I never won a state championship as a player or coach, so winning this year was frosting on the cake.”