St. Peter, Minn. – Gustavus Adolphus men’s golfer Andrew Oakes (Jr., Hermantown, Minn.) began September with a bang and didn’t look back for the remainder of the month. For his efforts, Oakes has been named the Gustavus Male Student-Athlete of the Month for September.
“Oakes came into the season with his game in top form. No one prepares harder than him, and his scores have been indicative of his preparation,” said Head Coach Scott Moe. “He is a terrific competitor. When he has gotten off to a rocky start, he has battled through it to finish strong.”
In Gustavus’ first outing of the 2012 fall season, Andrew Oakes led the Gusties to a first place finish at the Augsburg Fall Invitational. He recorded the first tournament win of his career after shooting a 73-74-147 (+3).
The junior would go on to lead the Gustie men’s golf team to three more top three finishes including a win at the Twin Cities Classic, a second place mark at the Frank Wrigglesworth Blugold Invite, and a third place finish at the Saint John’s Fall Invitational. Oakes led the Black and Gold at both the Augsburg Invite and Saint John’s Invite, while finishing second on the team at the Frank Wrigglesworth, and third on the squad at the Twin Cities Classic.
Against a field of 113 golfers at the Saint John’s Invite held on Sept. 15-16, Oakes turned in his best two-round score of the month with a 72-72-145 (+1) to finish third overall. In Eau Claire, Wis. at the Wrigglesworth, he finished 10th overall with a 155 (+13), and at the Twin Cities Classic he placed eighth with a three-day 219 (+3).
So far this season, the Hermantown product ranks second on the team with a 74.0 stroke average. He has played in all nine rounds and carries a low round of 71, which he fired on the second day of the Twin Cities Classic.
Coach Moe credits Oakes’s ironwork and prowess on the greens for his hot start. “His putting has really come around, and he is very confident in his iron game. That combination can lead to low scores, which he has been able to do regularly this fall.”
In addition, Andrew was also named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men’s Golf Athlete of the Week twice in September. He garnered the honor following both the Augsburg and Saint John’s Invitationals.
Oakes and the rest of the Gustavus men’s golf team will gear up for the MIAC Championships set to take place this weekend at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids, Minn. The MIAC Championships will run from Saturday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 8.