Conklin second to lead Ole golfers at Culver's Invitational

Glen Peterson, Head Men's Golf Coach
September 7, 2010

JANESVILLE, Wis. - Chris Conklin (Sr., Eden Prairie, MN) fired a two day 76-74 (150) to capture runner-up honors at the 36 hole Edgewood Invitational played at the 6,850-yard Glen Erin Golf Club in Janesville on Saturday.

Nationally-ranked UW-Stout claimed the title with a two day total of 313-300 (613) while the Oles managed to score 317-308 (625) at the very windy and cold two day tournament. Stout's Andy Smith fired a 74-73 (147) to win individual honors. Billy Utter (Sr. Plymouth, MN) scored 75-78 (153) to finish ninth in the event which featured 23 teams and 110 competitors. Mark Marotz (Jr., Appleton, Wis.) scored a personal best 79-79 (158) to lead the Oles' Gold team to a ninth place team finish with a two-day total of 334-312 (646, T24). The first day's competition featured consistent 30-35 mph winds with gusts at higher speeds. While the winds abated to the 20-25 mph area on day two by late afternoon, the Oles teed-off in 50 degree weather and very high morning winds on Saturday.

"The first day pairings probably cost Chris Conklin the individual title", commented head coach Glen Peterson.

"Slow play in the early half of the field on day one due to unusually high winds caused many of our groups to finish their last holes in very low light conditions. The failing light also caused us to rush our play on the back nine and made the last three holes very difficult to putt", he said. Seven of eleven Ole competitors broke 80 on day two including David Segar, (Jr. Des Moines, Iowa) Ryan Lubinsky (Jr., Eau Claire, Wis), and Justin Volling (Jr., Excelsior, Minn.) who shot 75, 75 and 78 respectively. Ryan Heide (Fy., Lakeville, Minn) competed in his first collegiate event for the Oles and fired a respectable two day total of 82-78 (160) to finish in 32nd place. "Our performance here at Glen Erin in the first match of the 2010-11 season is indicative of the depth of our team. If we play intelligent, focused golf, we will have an opportunity to win events like this in the future. We did not play at the level I expect for this team, but it was a good effort, given the tough conditions and unfortunate first day pairings", said Peterson. Peterson begins the year with a four year record of 162-111. Under his leadership, the Oles have improved their stroke per round average four consecutive seasons and have their sites this year on an at-large bid to the NCAA National tournament.

Next week, the team heads to Haines City, Fla. and the Southern Dunes Golf Club to play in the three-day, 54 hole Golfweek Invitational. The tournament features some of the top teams in the nation, including top-ranked Methodist College.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.