Spartan Golfers End Fall Season at Mayville State Invite in Hawley

The M State Spartan golf team participated in the Comet Invitational, hosted by Mayville State at Hawley Golf Club on Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2.  The Spartans finished in sixth place with a 638 (318-320) two-day total.  Bemidji State fired a 592 (293-299) and the University of Jamestown (1) equaled that score (292-300) to share first place honors.  Former Fergus Falls High School golfer Ryan Nelson was the individual medalist with a two-day total of 141 (69-72). 

Aidan Johnson led the Spartans with a 157 (77-80), followed by Brock Thompson at 159 (77-82), Erik Bjorndahl with a 160 (83-77), Markus Nelson at 162 (81-81), Joe Alexander shot a 163 (83-80), Adam Vatnsdal came in with a 170 (85-85) and Bradyn Thingvold had a 172 (82-90).  Johnson and Thompson led M State on Tuesday with rounds of 77, while Bjorndahl led on Wednesday with a 77.  Former Otter golfer, Riley McGovern, tied for eleventh with a 152 (76-76).

In the women's individual competition, Jamestown's Celi Nelson, an Ashby High School graduate, was the medalist with a 152 (73-79).  Former Spartan and Otter, Ellia Soydara, finished in 3rd place with a 158 (79-79).

This concludes the fall season for M State.  The Spartans will return in the spring for more tournaments and the Region XIII National Qualifier.

"It was a solid two days of golf against great competition," said Head Coach Jason Retzlaff.  "We have been close to playing great golf and this team is capable of that when we get back to competition in the spring.  Aidan Johnson and Brock Thompson played very well for us on Tuesday.  Erik Bjorndahl led us with a tremendous round on Wednesday.  It has been a pleasure coaching this group of high-character student-athletes.  We look forward to continuing our intra-squad "Spartan Cup" in the coming weeks before the courses close."