Golf has strong finish at Loras

by Sarah Kisner
Courier Staff

During this past weekend, April 1 and 2, the Monmouth College men’s golf team traveled to Asbury, Iowa, at the Meadows Golf Course and took part in the Loras College Duhawk Spring Invitational. Due to bad weather on Sunday, the invitational lasted only one day instead of two. But regardless of this factor, the Fighting Scots had strong results, finishing fifth out of 22 teams.

The Fighting Scots had a team score of 306. Leading the Scots was junior Lee Radford who shot a 74 and placed in the top 10.

Following close behind was senior Jeff Malek, shooting a 76, and junior Doug Middendorf with a 77.

“Our biggest surprise would have to be Justin Martin,” said co-captain Jeff Malek. Martin, a junior, rounded out the team with a score of 79.

Martin originally came to Monmouth College to play football, but broke his arm. To occupy his time, he joined the golf team and has been a big part of the team’s success so far.

This year the men’s golf team is ranked third in the Midwest conference, and their biggest competition this year will be against Knox College at the Knox Invitational on Thursday, April 6.

“It will be a disappointment if we don’t win conference,” said Malek.

Mike Wilmoth, the other senior co-captain, said, “Most students and faculty at Monmouth College might not know that the men’s golf team has been one of the most successful programs on campus since it was reinstated in 2000.

“The team is significantly stronger this year because of their talented set of juniors and seniors,” he said.

As of right now, the men’s golf team is ranked 99th in the nation out of 330 teams and is on the rise.

“Our biggest goal is to win conference and go to nationals,” said Wilmoth.

Finally, a word of advice from some MC golfers: “For all you recreational golfers out there, work on your three-foot putting and it will shave strokes off your game,” said Wilmoth. “It’s the honest to God truth,” added Malek.

This weekend the Scots will travel to Milan, Ill., to the Highland Springs Golf Course for the two-day Augustana College Invitational.