THIS WEEK IN COUGAR GOLF
The University of Sioux Falls men's golf team begins post-season play when they travel to Smithville, Mo. to compete in the final two rounds of the 2012-13 NSIC Men's Championships April 13 and 14. Originally scheduled for Lake City, Minn., the two-day tournament was moved due to inclement weather. Behind current individual leader Jordan Mueller, the Cougars head into the weekend in second place.
FALL NSIC TOURNEY RECAP
USF senior Jordan Mueller maintained the individual lead at the NSIC Men's Fall Championship on Tuesday with a 10-over 82 effort and the Cougars combined for a 29-over 317 during the second round to maintain their second-place standing in the event. The first two rounds of the four-round event were contested at the par-72, 6,780-yard Classic at Madden's in Brainerd, Minn.
Mueller posted rounds of 71-82=153 (+9) to create a two-shot cushion between him and Tyler Koivisto of St. Cloud State and Kowan O'Keefe of Minot State.
Trailing Mueller is senior teammate Levi Smith, who is tied for 8th with Matt Spier of Concordia St. Paul. Smith shot a six-over 78 today for a two-day score of 157 (79-78, +13).
Freshman Jon Van't Hul posted the lowest round by a USF player today with a five-over 77, eight strokes better than his first round score of 85. He gives the Cougars three golfers ranked in the top-20, as he sits in a tie for 20th at 162 (+18) with Minot State's Blair Anderson and Upper Iowa's Landon Vinger. Freshman Nick Gottsleben carded an 85 (+13), while classmate Andrew Nelson registered an eight-over 80 and both players are tied for 31st place with Chase Hahne of St. Cloud State at 165 (+21).
THE COURSE
The conference championships will be held at Paradise Pointe Golf Course. Paradise Pointe Golf Complex offers two challenging 18 hole golf courses, plus a 4 hole Academy course. The “Posse” and “Outlaw” courses offer large greens, rolling terrain and several beautiful views of natural wildlife and Lake Smithville. An interesting fact about the courses, are they were named in homage to Jesse James, who was a native of the area.
LINEUP (SEASON AVG.)
1. Jordan Mueller (77.82)
2. Levi Smith (77.14)
3. Andrew Nelson (79.32)
4. Nick Gottsleben (80.32)
5. Jon Van't Hul (80.62)
LAST TIME OUT
Sioux Falls tallied a two round total of 606 to finish sixth out of 10 teams at the First Federal Invitational in Branson, Mo April 8-9. The Cougars placed two players in the top-20 of the individual leaderboard, as Jordan Mueller and Jon Van't Hul finished in a four-way tie for 17th.
Van't Hul (76-75) did most of his damage with steady play, as he led the Cougars with 25 pars, while Mueller (74-77) capitalized on birdie opportunities, which he converted seven of; the field's third-highest total.
Nick Gottsleben (75-77) tied for 21st, while Levi Smith (73-80) was knotted up in 24th. Andrew Nelson (78-79) tied for 39th overall.
2012-13 TOP FINISHES/ROUNDS
Top-10 Finishes:
Mueller (4x), Smith (4x), Gottsleben (4x)
Individual Low Rounds:
1. 70 (-2) Mueller, Husky Classic, 9/23-24/2012 (1st round)
2. 71 (-1) Mueller, NSIC Men's Fall Championship, 10/8-9/2012 (1st round)
3. 70 (E) Smith, SDSU Invite, 09/30/2012 (1st round)
4. 73 (+1) Smith, Husky Classic, 9/23-24/2012 (1st round)
5. 73 (+1) Gottsleben, Wayne State Men's Spring Invite, 3/29-30/2013 (2nd round)
Team Low Rounds:
1. 299 (+11) Husky Classic, 9/23-24/2012 (1st round)
2. 298 (+14) First Federal Bank Invitational, 4/8-9/2013 (1st round)
3. 300 (+16) MWSU Central Region Invitational, 10/15-16/2012 (2nd round)
4. 304 (+16) Wayne State Men's Spring Invite, 3/29-30/2013 (1st round)
5. 297 (+17) SDSU Invite, 09/30/2012 (1st round)
For a closer look at USF's season results, please see season statistics (click here).
NSIC AWARDS
Senior Jordan Mueller earned NSIC Golfer of the Week following his two-round performance at the fall portion of the NSIC Championships. Mueller fired 71-82 in the opening 36 holes to maintain a two-shot lead over Tyler Koivisto of St. Cloud State and Kowan O'Keefe of Minot State heading into the spring session, which will take place April 13-14 at the Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minn.
