Le Sueur, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s golf team battled through cold and blistery conditions to claim a share of the 2015 Bobby Krig Championship on Monday at the Le Sueur Country Club. Sitting in a tie for first place with a 300 alongside Saint John’s after day one, the Gusties shot back-to-back 312s this afternoon to stay the course and remain in first with a three-round total of 924 (+68). The Johnnies shot a 313 on the first 18 holes of the day and then followed with a 311 on the final 18 to match Gustavus’s 924 (+68) total.
Head Coach Scott Moe said his team was in good position to reclaim Bobby Krig Trophy after day one and that he was especially pleased with how it performed and responded to playing with a lead and dealing with harsh conditions. “One of the harder days of golf we’ve had,” said Moe. “The wind never let up and the temperature never warmed up. I thought our guys battled all day, which is not easy to do for 36 holes in these conditions. It feels great to be on top at the Bobby Krig once again, and it was fun to have Barbara Krig there with us at the awards ceremony.”
Leading the Gusties by the completion of today’s rounds was rookie Chris Captain (Rochester, Minn.) and junior Matt Spier (Prior Lake, Minn.). Captain, who shot an even-par 72 at the Ridges at Sand Creek on Sunday, maintained his second place position on Gustavus’s home course today. He shot a five-over 75 to open the day and then fired a four-over 76 to finish the tournament in second place overall with a 223 (+9). After shooting an 80 (+8) to finish day one in 37th, Spier bounced back with a seven-over 77 and a one-over 73 to place seventh overall with a 230 (+16). His 73 to finish the competition was the lowest score carded at the Le Sueur Country Club.
“Chris Captain and Matt Spier both put together great tournaments,” complimented Moe. “Matt’s 73 this afternoon was simply outstanding, and Chris didn’t falter in what was a solid wire-to-wire performance.”
Captain was beaten by only Collin Seal of Saint John’s. Seal bested the Gustie frosh by one stroke with a 222 (+8). Augsburg’s Brandon Jones rounded out the podium in third with a 225 (+11).
Saint John’s second team and UW-Eau Claire finished in a tie for third with 929s (+73).
Rounding out Gustavus’s lineup was Andrew Brandt (Jr., Medina, Minn.) in 23rd with a 238 (+24), Alec Aunan (Fr., Rock Island, Ill.) in 27th with a 239 (+25), and Matt Rastetter (Fr., Maple Grove, Minn.) in 35th with a 243 (+29).
“It was great to see us bear down and grind our way to a share of the title,” Moe said. “Everyone knows they could’ve saved at least one shot out there somewhere, but in the end nobody beat us this weekend. Although we need to produce better at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots because it’s too hard to win in this league with only two or three good scores, we are looking forward to the challenge and are excited about our upcoming weekend at St. Cloud and Monticello.”
The Gusties will be back on the links Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 when they travel to central Minnesota to compete in the Saint John’s University Spring Invitational. The tournament will be held at the St. Cloud Country Club and the Monticello Country Club.