Lynn Stoneburner

The South Dakota State University men’s golf team tore up the courses of Lincoln, Neb. April 4 and 5, placing second in the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invitational.

On Thursday at Holmes Park Golf Course, senior Dustin Kriech of Watertown set the pace for the Jackrabbits, shooting 71. The Jacks finished the first round in a two-way tie for first place, with a team total of 298.

At the Country Club of Lincoln on Friday, junior Brian Schultz of LeMars, Iowa led the way with 75. Shooting 76s were Kriech, Charlie Jacobson, and Kyle Matzen. The team total of 303 on the second day of the invitational placed the Jacks in second.

“We played really well for not being able to practice yet. The conditions were favorable for good scoring and I thought we took advantage of it. The team is disappointed with another second place finish, but that gives us a chance to improve,” Schultz said.

Northeast Community College of Norfolk took home the team trophy with a two-day total of 590. The Jacks finished with 601, just eleven strokes back, for second place of fifteen teams.

Kriech placed third individually at 147 and Schultz followed in fifth with 149.

“I think we surveyed the competition and felt that we could bridge the gap between the fall season and the spring seasons by getting in these early tournaments,” Bob Brotsky, head coach, said.

The men competed at the USD Invitational in Vermillion on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

The NCAA Regional Qualifier takes place in Lincoln, Neb. April 15 and 16.