PALM COAST, Fla. - The University of Northwestern Men's Golf team is participating in the National Christian College Athletic Association Men's Golf National Championship at Hammock Beach Resort this week. It is the fifth time in program history that UNW has qualified for the event (with the last coming in 2018), doing so via winning the NCCAA North Central Regional in September. The Eagles will play three rounds at the resort's Conservatory Course, with a champion being crowned after Wednesday's final round. Follow along with the action all week long
here.
Day One
Fresh off receiving the NCCAA's Dan & Kelly Wood Award on Sunday morning,
Jakob Swanson (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) continued to make his presence known in Palm Coast, as he bounced back from a tough start to make four birdies and shoot 73 (+1), including a one-under 35 on the front nine (his second nine). The senior is in solo third place with 36 holes remaining and is just two shots off the lead.
Carson Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake-Glenbeaulah) was the next lowest Eagle, using a birdie on 18 to shoot 80 (+8).
Shane Seiffert (Corcoran, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong) and
Luke Frazell (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) made one and two birdies, respectively, on their way to matching 81's (+9), while
Carson Besonen (Madison, Minn./Lac qui Parle Valley) carded an 85 (+13) with a birdie on the par-three eighth. As a team, UNW is in seventh place through 18 holes with a team score of 315 (+27), 18 shots behind leader Wayland Baptist.
Northwestern will begin round two at 9:50 AM local time (8:50 AM CT) on Tuesday.
Day Two
After an underwhelming opening round as a team, UNW found its groove during round two on Tuesday. Despite First Team All-UMAC selection
Shane Seiffert (Corcoran, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong) being disqualified from the round due to a misinterpretation of course rules (he will be able to return to play Wednesday), the Eagles improved by 14 strokes, shooting a team score of 301 (+13), keeping them in seventh place. Northwestern's pair of freshmen led the way in the second round after tough starts to the tournament, each shooting 74 (++2).
Luke Frazell (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) made four birdies on the day to pull himself into a tie for 25th place at +11, while
Carson Besonen (Madison, Minn./Lac qui Parle Valley) made three birdies, all on his first nine, to move up to a tie for 34th at +15 for the tournament.
Jakob Swanson (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) was just one shot off the rookies, following up his 74 on Monday with a 75 (+3) on Tuesday, putting him in a tie for eighth place entering Wednesday's final round.
Carson Mersberger (Kiel, Wis./Elkhart Lake-Glenbeaulah) improved by two shots from the opening round, turning in a 78 (+6) with a pair of birdies on his first nine to place him in a tie for 32nd with 18 holes to play.
UNW will conclude play at Hammock Beach Resort Wednesday at 7:55 AM local time (6:55 AM CT).
