SIOUX FALLS, S.D. --  The University of Sioux Falls Golf Program will look to build on its best season at the NCAA DII level under the direction of new golf coach Wade Merry. THe team is focused and ready to get the 2021-22 season started, which begins on Tuesday, Sept. 7 for the USF Women's team and Sept. 13 for the USF Men's Team. Here is a preview of the two squads including information on the opening competitions.



USF Women's Team returns experience and talented newcomers - open season Tuesday, Sept. 7

A year ago, the USF Women's Golf Team, which had a 321.00 scoring average for second in the NSIC, was ranked 11^th in the region and finished a program-best second at the NSIC Championships. USF, which placed fifth or better as a team five times and was second or better three times, lost NSIC Golfer of the Year Lexi Hanson and All-NSIC performers Sydney Hubbard and Kyleigh Moran. In the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, Cougars were projected to place fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.  USF, which placed second in the league a year ago, received a first-place vote, earned 102 ballot points in the poll.

However, USF returns first-team All-NSIC and NSIC Newcomer of the Year Maggie Veenendall of New Richmond, Wisc. USF's Athlete to Watch, Veenendall finished third in the NSIC in scoring average (79.8).

"We did lose a very good group of seniors, however the newcomers this year are very talented," said Veenendall, who played in all 12 rounds through six events in 2019-2020. "It's been nice getting to know everyone and creating that team bond."

USF also returns senior Marisa Weeks (83.09 scoring average) and junior Maddi Hanson (91.25 scoring average) and Annie Balduzzi (86.83 scoring average) who will comprise a solid veterans corps. In addition, freshman Paige Hillman, Ashley Tackett, and Savannah Vincent are a talented group of newcomers. 

"We're really excited. This is my first year and this is my first chance to see them play," said Merry, a Dakota State Sports Hall of Fame member. "I know the program we've got here is really good, we have some really good returners and I expect us to be pretty good."

Opening Meet Info - The Cougars kick off the new season at the Central Region Fall Preview in Blue Springs, Miss. at the Adams Pointe Golf Club on Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8. The opening meet of the fall includes 16 teams and will be played at the Adams Pointe Golf Club on a Par 72, 5,910 yard course in Blue Springs, Mo. Follow the USF Athletics (usf_athletics) Twitter page for meet results and score updates.

USF Men's Golf Team starts season Sept 13-14 and return a solid core

The University of Sioux Falls Men's Golf Program, which will also be under direction of new head coach Wade Merry, will look to sustain momentum after the best season in school history. With the return of NSIC Newcomer of the Year Gavin Metz, who placed third at the NSIC Championships and was 29^th at the NCAA DII regionals, the Cougars are positioned for another solid year. In the NSIC Preseason Poll, USF received a first place vote and were projected to finish fifth.

A year ago, USF was ranked as high as seventh in the region and made its program-first NCAA DII regional appearance. The Cougars, which ranked second in the NSIC in scoring average at 299.9, finished third at the NSIC Championships, which is the second best mark in second history. Metz (76.6 scoring avg.), who is USF Athlete to Watch, and Jack Evans (76.5 scoring avg.) return as does Jake Oetzmann (81.89), Bronson Vasa (82.33), Hank Eggebraaten (89.50), Nathan Woodall (91.5).

"I think this year is going to come down to making sure everyone on the team buys in to our program," said Evans, an Academic All-NSIC member. "With some good quality play this year, hopefully we can give regionals a run again."

USF did lose a talented group of seniors including Academic All-American JJ Cooney, a four-time all-NSIC performer, Jacob Zosel and All-NSIC performer Brenden Bassing as that group led USF in scoring average. It was a team that placed in the top-five six times while finishing 15^th at regionals. Backing up the veteran group will be a talented corps of freshman including Austin Boomsma, Anthony Cylkowski, and Cole Harste.

"Our two leaders this year are Gavin Metz and Jack Evans. They've already stepped up, they know what to expect and I know what to expect out of them," said Merry. "We have a good mix of veterans and newcomers, and everyone is eager to get out there and see what we can do."

The Cougars begin their fall season at the 2021 Washburn Invitational in Topeka, Kan. at the Topeka Country Club on Monday, September 13 and Tuesday, September 14. Keep an eye on the USF Athletics Twitter page for meet results.