LE SUEUR, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s golf team wrapped up the Twin Cities Classic on a blustery Monday at the Le Sueur Country Club, finishing in second place of 16 teams. The Gusties posted a 313 in the final round for a total of 890 (+34), seven strokes behind the winner Saint John’s. The University of Manitoba took third place, four strokes behind Gustavus.
“The wind played a big part in today’s round,” Head Coach Scott Moe said. “Not just because it affected our shots, but it also played with our heads; wondering how much the wind would come into play on our putts and chips. We did not execute the way we needed to. Sometimes your home course can be a challenge in itself because you expect certain things to happen and you think you should score well and when you don’t you start to press.”
Alec Aunan (Jr., Rock Island, Ill.) carded a three-over par 67-73-77-217, taking third place in a field of 85 golfers. Ben Hauge (Fy., Ramsey, Minn.) tied for sixth place with a 73-71-76-220. Max Savini (So., Ramsey, Minn.) posted a 70-75-80-225 to tie for 12th, Chris Captain (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) tied for 27th with a 73-77-80-230, while Sam Majka (Sr., Wayzata, Minn.) rounded out the Gustavus first team with a 76-75-83-234, tying for 39th place. Alex Koopmeiners (Jr., St. Cloud, Minn.) paced the second Gustie team with a 77-74-75-226, tying for 15th place.
“It was nice to see Ben and Alec finish in the top ten,” Moe said.
Gustavus wraps up the fall season at the MIAC Championships, held Oct. 8-10 at Bunker Hills Country Club in Coon Rapids, Minn. The MIAC winner earns an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Division III Championships, held May 16-19 at the Mission Inn Resort – course Gustavus is familiar with having played there for the NCAA Preview last week.
“We have almost two weeks before conference and we need to get sharp,” Moe said. “Consistency with the need to post low scores will have a huge impact on success in the MIAC. If weather cooperates, low scores will be needed.”