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Mens Golf Team Opens Season in the Cities

Todd Dulin
September 10, 2001

The men?s golf team opened up with the first tournament of the year at the Augsburg Invitational in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Coach Ken Pratt and the members of the St. Olaf men?s golf team had high hopes for the season heading into their first tournament with all five of their top golfers returning. Fighting bad weather and tough playing conditions on the first day, the Oles had tough time battling around the course at Prestwick Country Club. Senior Brian Odlaug led the way firing an astounding 74 by parring the last 12 holes. On greens that had just been arified, making them extremely bumpy, and with a steady rain coming down the entire back nine, 74 was a very good score for Brian?s first tournament. Placing second on the first day for the Oles was sophomore Brandt Uthus, who shot an opening round 82, with a struggle on the first nine, Brandt recovered well in the rain on the back nine. Sophomore Todd Dulin shot a first round score of 85, struggling with the bumpy greens and failing to get a good round going. Junior Erik Polzin shot 87 on the first day also having a hard time figuring out the greens at Prestwick Country Club. Senior Dave Swenson had a first round 98 and fell victim to the bumpy greens and demanding fairways at Prestwick Country Club.

Site of Day 2 of the Augsburg Invitational was Mississippi Dunes Golf Club in St. Paul, Minnesota. An early start with the first tee time at 7:30 am, cold weather, and a very difficult course that the Oles had never played impaired second round play. Sophomore Todd Dulin and junior Erik Polzin led the Oles with 89s respectively. Senior Brian Odlaug and sophomore Brandt Uthus each had 91 on day two of the tournament, and senior Dave Swenson came back from a tough round one and shot a second round 92.

The Oles had a team total of 328 on day one and a total of 360 on day two, for a tournament total of 688. This total put the Oles in 8th place out of a fairly large field, which included strong teams such as Augsburg, St. Thomas, and Marian College in Wisconsin. The Oles hope to improve from their first tournament, especially in upcoming conference tournaments. The Oles next tournament is the St. John?s Invitational in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Day one of the tournament will be held at the Wapicada Golf Club on Saturday, September 15. Day two of the tournament will be held Sunday, September 16 at Monticello Country Club. Other members of the team that did not play in the first tournament include: sophomore Cory Patterson, first year Pat Gilles, first year Reid Plumbo, sophomore Charlie Eggert, sophomore Drew Beson.

Contact Judy Stromayer at 507-786-3315 or stromaye@stolaf.edu.