Jackrabbit golf to shine in ’08 Summit play

Chris Mangan

Chris Mangan

After a strong showing during the summer and acquiring the full-time services of their head coach Jared Baszler, the Jackrabbit men’s and women’s golf teams are looking for a strong fall season.

Baszler was announced as a full-time coach after spending the past five seasons as a part-time coach. Baszler guided the Jacks through the transition period and coached the women to a second-place showing and the men to fifth place in last year’s Summit League Tournament.

“Nothing much has changed other than the team is going to be seeing a lot more of me from day to day. Our recruiting agenda is going to see the biggest change,” Baszler said. “I will now be able to get on the road and recruit a lot more during the summer months, which will allow us to make much more informed decisions on who to pursue as recruits for our golf programs.”

The men will be led by seniors Geoff Mead and Trent Peterson after both had strong showings in amateur tournaments in the summer. Peterson, an Egan, Minn., native, won the Minnesota Golf Association Amateur Championship as well as the Minnesota Players Championship, becoming only the second individual to win both events. Peterson also finished tied for second in the Minnesota State Open.

Mead, a Rapid City native, won the South Dakota Golf Association Men’s Amateur Championship. Mead topped the list of a strong showing by the Jacks at the event, with senior Tim Kalil finishing tied for fourth and incoming freshman Brian Wynia tying for eighth.

“The men just need their fine play to come together as a team. If they can do that, they have the opportunity to accomplish some special things this year,” Baszler said.

On the women’s side, the Jacks will be lead by Hillary Gerster and Amanda Rosol after each finished in the top five at last year’s Summit League Tournament.

“Seniors Holly Opatz and Rosol along with sophomore Gerster will lead the charge,” Baszler said. “These three will provide the necessary leadership for the full roster of 12 women we have this year.”

The two teams will compete in five tournaments this fall and then four more in the spring. The men will make two separate trips to California, while the women will make trips to Idaho and San Diego.

The men open the season Sept. 8 at the Fairway Club Invitational, while the women open the season Sept. 15 at the Chip-n-Club Invitational. Each tournament will be hosted by Nebraska.