ST. PAUL, Minn. - Keller Golf Course was flooded with purple on Tuesday as the University of Northwestern Men's Golf team sent its entire roster to the historic St. Paul course for the 2024 UNW Invite. Northwestern split into "A" and "B" teams, with two additional players competing as individuals and not counting toward a team total. The two Eagle squads ended up finishing incredibly close at the top of the standings, showcasing the depth they bring to the table in 2024. Northwestern's "A" squad won the event with a score of 313 (+25), while the "B" team finished third with a total of 319 (+31). Bethany Lutheran was sandwiched in between the two UNW units with a second-place showing of 315 (+27).
Leading the way for the Eagles' top squad were a seasoned veteran and a promising rookie. Junior
Shane Seiffert (Corcoran, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong), who was the 2023 UMAC Player of the Year, and freshman
Trevor Zenk (Forest Lake, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) both shot rounds of 75 (+3), tying with each other for second place. After that, the "B" boys showed out.
Mikey Vall (Eau Claire, Wis./Hillcrest Lutheran Academy) fired a 77 (+5), landing him in solo sixth place, while
Dawson Burke (Rogers, Minn./Maple Grove) was right behind him in a tie for seventh with a score of 79 (+7).
Jackson Courteau (Otsego, Minn./Rogers) (B) and
Noah Frazell (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) (A) had impressive collegiate debuts, tying for 12th after shooting matching 81's (+9).
Right behind the pair of freshmen were
Carter Dilly (Henning, Minn./Henning) (A),
Mason Heidgerken (Melrose, Minn./Melrose Area) (B) and
Gordon Skaar (Coleraine, Minn./Homeschool) (A), who all carded 82's (+10), placing them in a tie for 17th.
Carson Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake-Glenbeaulah) (B) was next down the leaderboard with an 83 (+11), followed by
Andrew Carlson (Mosinee, Wis./Mosinee) (89, +17) and
Sam Schwarz (Marshall, Minn./Marshall) (91, +19), who competed as individuals.
The Eagles' second event of the season is an important one, as they head to South Bend, Indiana for the NCCAA North Central Regional. The two-day event will take place September 9th and 10th at Blackthorn Golf Club.
