Stillwater, Minn. – The Gustavus Adolphus men’s golf team put the finishing touches on its 2014-15 season with a second place finish at the UW-Eau Claire StoneRidge Classic held Friday at the StoneRidge Country Club. Gustavus placed runner-up at the quadrangular after firing a 281 (-7). UW-Eau Claire bested the Gusties by just one stroke to win the meet with a 280 (-8). Bethel University finished third with a 288 (E), and Augsburg College rounded out the field in fourth with a 299 (+11).
“We always have a goal to finish our season at the NCAA Championships, but this year we fell a little short,” said Head Coach Scott Moe. “We are playing some outstanding golf at the moment and I would confidently put this team up against any in the country. I know this year’s finish will provide a great deal of motivation to work hard this summer and come into fall camp ready to compete for an MIAC Championship. I’m pleased with not only our effort today, but our effort throughout the spring.”
Leading the Gusties with a four-under-par 68 was Matt Spier (Jr., Prior Lake, Minn.). Spier finished in a tie for second overall alongside Bethel’s Dillon John. UW-Eau Claire’s Jake Erickson won the 24-player event with a six-under 66. Spier’s 68 this afternoon was his lowest round of the season; besting his second-round 69 (-2) carded at the Saint John’s Spring Invite last weekend in Monticello.
Rounding out Gustavus’s top finishers was Alec Aunan (Fr., Rock Island, Ill.) and Andrew Brandt (Jr., Medina, Minn.) in a tie for fourth with three-under 69s, and Chris Captain (Fr., Rochester, Minn.) in a tie for 13th with a three-over 75.
Over the course of its six events (12 rounds) this spring, the Gustavus men’s golf team averaged a 303.8 per round.
“With a one round tournament like this we told the guys that it was important to get off to a fast start. They did that and continued to improve throughout the round,” added Assistant Coach Randy Stuckey. “Playing so soundly over our last two tournaments is a great way to finish the season. Shooting a 281 – our best single round in relation to par – will win you 99 out of 100 tournaments, but UW-Eau Claire put together a terrific round to edge us by one. It was one of the best ball-striking tournaments I’ve witnessed and fun to see such great collegiate golf.”
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One response to “Men’s Golf Caps Season With Runner-Up Finish At UW-Eau Claire StoneRidge Classic”
This team seems to be on the verge of greatness. Next fall should bring big results!