SAINT PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus men’s and women’s golf teams begin their fall seasons this weekend. The Gustie men head to Augsburg while the women travel to Saint Benedict on Saturday.
Live Stats – Women’s Golf at Saint Benedict
Live Stats – Men’s Golf at Augsburg
“We didn’t lose any seniors last season so we’re bringing a ton of upperclass leadership,” said Head Coach Scott Moe who is in his 24th year at the helm as the men’s head coach and 16th in the role for the women’s team. “We’re also super excited about our incoming freshman. It’s going to be a really competitive year to even be in the lineup. As a coach, I think it’s just going to be fun to watch and be a part of.”
Both squads have experienced veterans as the women’s team brings back eight returners and one newcomer and the men’s side returns 11 golfers and welcomes five first-years. After a spring season with just five tournaments, the teams anticipate getting back to a more “normal” season.
“We’re looking forward to not having to play on our own team, which I think for us is going to be a benefit in getting back into the normal routine of golf that they’ve played their entire lives. It’ll big bonus for us to have our normal fall golf championship and bringing in returners with so much experience, just six weeks after we start competition.”
Returning to the lineup after taking the 2020 season off is the trio of Khrystjan Petersen (Jr., Faribault), Carter Czichotzki (Sr., Moorhead), and Max Ullan (Sr., Blaine). Jacob Pedersen (Sr. Minnetonka) debuts in his senior campaign following an impressive 8th place finish in the NCAA Championship. Pedersen garnered All-American honors after a solid spring season leading the Gusties with a 72.8 stroke average with four top-five finishes, including one medalist honor in five events.
The Gustie men had a strong run in their spring season to make it to the MIAC championship and finish fourth. The team looks to Andrew Hoppe (Jr., Mankato) and Wyatt Wasko (Jr., Lake Elmo) who finished fourteenth and twentieth in respectively to bring continued success.
The women’s team returns their entire roster including three seniors following an impressive second place conference championship finish. Emily Kratz (Sr., Edina) enters after placing sixth in the conference and a team best average of 79.5 strokes per round to garner All-Region and All-Conference honors. Joining her in the All-Conference lineup is Erin Ericson (Sr., Onalaska, Wis.) who posted 80-80-73-233 (+17) to tie seventh in the conference championship, and MIAC Elite 22 recipient Sydney Regalado (Jr., Rosemount) who finished tenth. The Gustie women will look to Laurel Ward (Jr., Bozeman, Mont.) and Hannah Hubbart (Jr., Hastings) following strong performances in all five tournaments of the spring season.
“All of our players have set the bar high and there isn’t any reason why they shouldn’t set it as high as they have, there’s a lot of desire for success.”
The women’s golf team begins its season teeing off at Saint Benedict at 12:50 while the men’s team travels to Augsburg starting at 1:30.
“We finished qualifying rounds on Thursday and wrapped up a practice round on Friday. Our women’s team has talked about the course we have this weekend and what the expectations are. Getting back into a normal tournament setting is going to be good and pretty indicative of what we have coming ahead of us.”