Spring college season continues south of the border

Photo courtesy Curtis Fraser, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications & Brand Management/California State University San Bernardino

The last week of March is another busy stretch for college golfers south of the border including 10 Saskatchewan student-athletes in action in various events across the country.

Cole Obrigewitsch continues his impressive season with California State University San Bernardino leading the locals with a tie for 12th at his event in Turlock, Cal. at the Turlock Golf and Country Club on March 25 and 26. Obrigewitsch shot 69 in round one, 68 during the second round, and a 76 during the final round to finish the 54-hole Hanny Stanislaus Invitational at 3-under-par.

The team was fourth.

Carter Bell of Saskatoon was also in the field competing for Dominican University of California. He carded back-to-back rounds of 75, and a third round score of 76, leaving the Riverside Country Club member in a tie for 58th.

The Penguins were 13th in the team category.

Obrigewitsch’s next event is the Hot Dirt Desert Shootout in Goodyear, Az. at the Golf Club of Estrella on April 5 and 6. Bell’s next tournament is the PacWest Championships in Waimea, Hawaii at the Mauna Lani Golf Course from April 15 to 17.

Alex Swinnerton of Saskatoon was carrying the top bag for Indianna University of Pennsylvania (IUP) this week at the Oldfield Classic in Okatie, S.C. He posted rounds of 76, 73, and 78 for a 54-hole score of 227. That left the Riverside Country Club member in a tie for 14th.

Fellow Waskesiu junior graduate and IUP teammate Guillermo Salazar played great tying for 14th at 222. The Crimson Hawks team was seventh. The club will be in Indiana, Pa. on April 15 and 16 for the Cecil C. Spadafora IUP Invitational at the Indiana Country Club.

The collegiate career of TJ Baker continued at the University of Arkansas at Monticello at a familiar event in Arkansas. The Weevils were in El Dorado, Ark. on March 25 and 26 for the Men’s Arkansas Collegiate. Carrying the top bag for the team, Baker shot a pair of 83’s to finish in a tie for 42nd. The team was 11th.

Southern Arkansas University was also in the field as the host, Regina’s Will Blake was on the Muleriders ‘B’ team for the event, he was tied for 57th overall with rounds of 87.  The Royal Regina Golf Club member was part of the 12th place team in the tournament.

Next up for Baker and Blake is the Natural State Classic at the Cypress Creek Golf Club in Cabot, Ark. on April 15.

Minot State University had both their golf teams on the road last week including Chase Gedak and Holly Knudsen.

The men’s team was in Blue Springs, Mo. on March 25 and 26 at Adams Pointe Golf Club for the NSIC Preview.

Estevan’s Gedak tied for 32nd. The Golf Kenosee member shot rounds of 74 and 78 leaving him 11 strokes behind the leader. The Beavers were eighth as a team.

Knudsen was also on the course this weekend leading the Minot State University (MSU) Beavers into the Holiday Inn Express Classic in St. Joseph, Mo. on March 25 and 26. The second round was cancelled, Knudsen shot 81 in the only recorded round. The Beavers were eighth as a team in the event.

Their next event is the Augustana Invitational at Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, S.D. starting on April 8, the men’s team will also compete at that tournament.

Cole Taylor of Nipawin is getting more comfortable at college, he posted rounds of 82 and 77 at Antelope Hills South Course on March 24 and 25 during the ERAU Invitational in Prescott, Az. The Nipawin product tied for 15th at the event.

The team lost in a playoff for the overall title. Next up for the Park Buccaneers is the Cal Pac Conference Championships beginning April 15 at Olivas Links Golf Course in Venture, Cal.

Caden Loeppky of Saskatoon started his spring season with the Waldorf Warriors on March 22 in Maryville, Mo. at the Graceland Invitational. The second round of the tournament was cancelled due to weather, Loeppky shot 95 at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Golf Course, that left the Willows Club member in 39th. He was competing for the Warriors ‘B’ team, the squad tied for eighth.

Next up is the Wartburg Invitational starting Good Friday in Waverly, IA. at Prairie Links Golf Course.