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MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. – The Carleton College men’s golf team finished third out of 15 teams at the season-opening Minnesota Golf Classic held at Pioneer Golf Club in Maple Plain, Minn.
The Knights fired a team score of 285 (-3) in round two on Sunday morning, followed by an afternoon round three score of 296 (+8) to bring their tournament total to 878 (+14). No. 24 Gustavus Adolphus moved into first place during the final round with a tournament best round of 274 (-14) Their three-round total of 870 (+6, 309+287+274) was six strokes ahead of second place Bethel University at 876 (+13, 288+300+288), and eight better than third place Carleton.
“The guys played amazing in the morning round, said Carleton head coach Sloan Wallgren. “The team moved up the leaderboard and was in first place after round two. Gustavus was just lights out today, hats off to their team for an amazing day of golf. Big shout out to Justin Rodriguez for finishing in seventh place among some amazing talent.”
The 109-player field included 29 NCAA Division I golfers. Rodriguez had an impressive tournament and entered the final round at even par. In round three he shot a three-under-par 69 (-3, 70+74+69=213). The junior had six birdies in his final round including three in a row on holes 13-15. He finished third among Division III competitors behind Bethel’s Carson Hannestad and Christopher Gutuza of Gustavus Adolphus.
Junior Sam Higaki led the Knights in round two with a four-under-par 68. Higaki’s round began on hole six and he birdied three of his first seven holes. He then shot an eagle on the eighteen followed by three straight birdies. He carded a 75 in round three to finish the tournament at two-over-par (75+68+75=218) and tied for 14th place overall. He had the fifth best finish among Division III golfers in the field.
Dillon Croco finished the tournament at eight-over-par (76+72+76=224) and a tie for 39th overall. The sophomore had four birdies in Sunday morning’s round two on his way to shooting even par.
Senior Gordon Walker rounded out the score card for the Knights at nine-over-par (77+71+77=225) for the weekend. Walker’s round of even-par in round two included five birdies.
Sophomore Gareth Birney was also in the official lineup for the Knights and completed the tournament at +13 (76+77+76=229).
First-year players Austin Mak and Oscar Peche competed in their first collegiate tournament as individuals. Mak finished the three-round tournament at +10 (73+75+78=226) and Peche was +27 (84+78+81=243).
Up Next for the Knights
On Monday, Sept. 8, Carleton will be at Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, Minn. competing in a match-play dual with Saint John’s University.
