The Winona State Men’s golf team competed at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preview Invitational held at Shoal Creek Golf Club on Monday, March 29 through Tuesday, March 30.
The invitational provided head coach Jeff Straight and the rest of the team access to some of the best NCAA Division II competition in the country.
Third-year Matthew Chandler said part of the team’s recognition comes from straight and his determination for the team.
“Coach Straight is a great motivator and is a very vocal leader of the team,” Chandler said. “His drive and passion motivates and propels players to be at their best day in and day out and Coach Straight is always looking for ways to adjust to situations on the golf course in order to help players execute shots and strategies.”
The Winona State men’s golf team scored a team mark of 311 after one round of play and sat tied at ninth place coming out of the first day.
Third-year golfer Dylan Brown was the top performer for the Warriors within the day, as his 75 ties him with six other individuals at seventh place overall.
Third-year Abraham Elmore turned in a 78 for Winona State, while second-year Matt Turner and third-year Matthew Chandler both scored a 79 from the first day.
Second-year Bailey Callander had an 84 and first-year Markus Iwerbo scored a 91 to wrap up day one for the Warriors.
The NSIC Preview Invitational features several of the top NCAA Division II teams in the country and the event marks the third time on the links for Winona State this season.
Central Missouri is the top performing team so far, with a team score of 298; Tom Buffington of Missouri Western State leads the field with a 71 after the first round.
The Winona State men’s golf team scored a team mark of 627 after day two finishing 11th overall in the event. Brown finished with a score of 153 for head coach Jeff Straight, the top mark for the team over the two days and good for 22nd in the competition.
Chandler also earned a top-50 finish, carding a 155.
Turner shot a 160 over the two days, while had a 163.
Callander had an 81 on day two, a three-stroke improvement to finish with a 165 and Iwerbo scored a 172 to conclude the event for the Warriors.
Chandler said the adaptations to playing this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic has included minor adjustments, but the team is still in a position to thrive through training and practice.
“Amid the pandemic our training and practice has not altered greatly due to the nature of golf, being an outdoor sport where social distancing comes naturally,” Chandler said. “Minor adjustments have to be made with limited or more strict practice times and temperature checks.”
Next up for the Warriors is the Central Missouri Mules Invitational, held in Warrensburg, Mo. on April 5 – 6.
Central Missouri won the NSIC Preview and have finished first in three of their last four events.