SIOUX FALLS –  Junior Jacob Zosel carded a season-best two-round total of 146 (72-74) to win medalist honors and lead the University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Team to a team title at the Augustana Invitational, which concluded on Sunday at the Elmwood Golf Course. USF won the Augustana Invitational for the first time and captured the program's first team title since winning the Polar Vortex Triangular in Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 8, 2019.

 

Zosel of Morris, Minn., captured his first-ever medalist honors with the second-best performance of his career. He led four USF men's team golfers into the top 10 as the Cougars finished with a 15-over par total of 591 (300-291), which is the second-best two-round total in USF's DII program history. The Cougars shot a 583 (298-285) at the Watkins Invitational on Sept. 6-7 at The Jewel in Lake City, Minn. USF finished six shots ahead of host Augustana, which carded a 21-over par 597 (311-286). Missouri Southern State was third at 27-over par, 603.

"I can't express how proud I am of this team," said USF Men's Assistant Golf Coach Brennan Thompson. "They knew they had to stay patient and wait for their opportunities which they did. They battled through some brutal weather and found a way to get it (win a title) done," he said.

With a season-best opening round of 72 and a 74 on day two, Zosel finished with a two-over par two-round total of 146. He nearly met his career mar of 144 (69-75) in which he tied for second at the BSU Invite on Sept. 20, 2018.

"Jacob (Zosel) is a phenomenal person as well as a golfer and no one deserves an individual victory more than him. He got his wheelbarrow out and went to work. This is a great group of guys who have no limit on what they can do," he said.

Aside from Zosel, two USF golfers finishing tied for third in senior Brenden Bassing and sophomore Jack Evans. With his four-over par 148 (76-72), Bassing opened with a 76 before closing with an even par round of 72. He carded his best-two round total and the 72 today is his best round of the season. As for Evans, he had a four-over par total of 148 (77-71). After opening at 77 on day one, Evans caught fire today with his one-under round of 71.

Also in the top 10 for USF was senior JJ Cooney, who continued his consistent play. He finished at five-over par with a two-round total of 149 (75-74). In eight rounds this season, Cooney has kept his score at 75 or lower.

Senior Blake Berry also had a solid performance by carding an 8-over par round of 52 (77-75). He moved up to a tie for 16^th with rounds of 77 and 75.

Four USF golfers played as individuals. Sophomore Hank Eggebraaten finished 22^nd after carding a 13-over par two-round total of 157 (81-76). Tied for 23^rd was junior Bronson Vasa, who was 14-over par at 158 (84-75). With a 75 today, Vasa shot is top round at USF.  Tied for 29^th was junior Jake Oetzmann with a 17-over par 161 (79-82). And finishing 32^nd was sophomore Nathan Woodall at 18-over par, 162 (84-78). Woodall cut six shots off his day one total with his 78 today.

Now USF Men's Golf will compete at the Missouri Western State Invite at St. Joseph (Mo.) Country Club on Oct. 7-8.