WHEATLAND – 2024 marked the 20th year of the Ty Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament hosted by the Montoya family and the Wheatland Golf Club. The tournament traditionally boasts 24 teams including approximately 100 players with a wait list each year.
Symbolism was everywhere as Ty’s love for superman was printed on a Yeti cooler as a prize, and many participants wore the emblem on their shirts. Family and friends wore orange, the signature color of Ty, and many wore kilts representing Ty’s love for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
The nine-hole course advertised many local sponsors offering hole prizes for “closest to the pin in two” or “closest to the Tyger”. Tony’s good friend, Jim Wilkenson has driven from Cheyenne for this event to provide live music for the number five tee box. Any tips he earns he has given right back to the scholarship fund.

Each pin flag has the Tyger symbol which has become synonymous with Ty Montoya. Sandy Hixson (Tony Montoya’s sister and Ty’s Aunt) stated she, along with family and friends, make sure that each participant leaves with at least one door prize. Tickets are announced and prizes sponsored by local businesses and community members which are provided at the conclusion of the event each year. In addition, auction items are also up for bid as golf carts circle the driving range with friends and family gathered to contribute to the scholarship fund. This is a huge community event benefiting Wheatland High School students who have the opportunity to apply for the Ty Memorial Scholarship each year during the Spring Semester.
Tony and his family are the kind of people that would ‘give you the shirt off their back,’ as recognized by the overwhelming support from over 100 guests alongside their spouses and children gathered to donate more to the scholarship fund in remembrance of Ty Montoya.
Prizes included custom made lawn chairs, a custom cornhole board featuring a wood burned tiger, a jersey of Josh Allen, a custom fishing pole, a patriotic leather golf bag, and much, much more. Kelly Simonton, Jr. served as the emcee and auctioned off many of the donated items, raising funds that will keep this scholarship going for years to come.
The family would like to thank the community for donating time, effort, and gifts for the 20 year fundraiser to help establish a scholarship fund for past and present WHS students. The Montoyas would like to emphasize that this scholarship and event would not be possible without all of the support they have received in memory of Ty.