Wyatt Blomseth Wins Individual National Title, Spartans Finish Third
The Spartans’ Wyatt Blomseth shot an even par round of 72 to win the individual NJCAA Division III National Golf Championship on Friday in Chautauqua, New York, becoming the first National Champion Golfer in school history. His final 4-day total of 291 edged out Andreas Huber of Sandhills Community College by one stroke. Sandhills (1197) won the team title by one stroke over Georgia Military (1198), and M State was third with a score of 1220 (301-312-303-304).
Wyatt Blomseth with National Championship plaque and 3rd place trophy. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
Blomseth’s final round was highlighted by a 50-foot eagle putt on the 13th hole. He needed a par to win the title on the 18th hole and hit his approach shot to 8 feet and 2-putted for the championship. His 4-day total is the lowest individual total any M State player has carded at a National Tournament.
“What an incredible day of golf as Wyatt made history winning the individual National Championship,” said Head Coach Jason Retzlaff of M State. “He was in the zone and was unflappable all week. His ability to think clearly and execute under pressure was on full display. He had highlight reel shots on 10 and 11 and an amazing eagle putt from 50 feet on the 13th. His perfect drive on 18 sealed it. He is a tremendous young man who has worked extremely hard. We are so proud of him. It’s pretty special to see it all come together for such a deserving champion.”
Four Spartans earned All-American honors with Blomseth and Carter Justesen being named First Team-All Americans, Grant Inninger making the Second Team and Hunter Burnside as an Honorable Mention selection. The top three teams accounted for 13 of the 18 All-Americans.
“We are so proud of this group of young men and the season they had,” added Coach Retzlaff. “Carter Justesen didn’t know if he would be able to play a few days before the tourney because of appendix removal surgery. With very little practice he earned first team All-American honors and played fantastic golf. He is one of the best players we have had a M State and he will be greatly missed on the golf course. Congrats also to Grant and Hunter who have played great golf all year and earned All-American honors as well. John Vall and Mikey Vall hit so many good shots during the week and it was great to see Mikey end the tournament with his best round of the year. They are all high character young men who were a joy to coach.”
Back row (left to right) Head Coach Jason Retzlaff, Carter Justesen, Hunter Burnside, Wyatt Blomseth, Asst. Coach Jeff Haukos. Back row (left to right) Grant Inniger, John Vall, Mikey Vall.
Wyatt Blomseth driving the ball in the fairway on the 18th hole of the final round. (Photo by Jeff Haukos)
Final round scores for the Spartans included a 72 from Justesen, a 77 from Inniger, an 82 from Burnside and an 83 from John Vall. Competing as an individual, Mikey Vall had a great score of 76. Justesen’s total of 301 tied him for sixth place, Inniger’s 312 put him in a tie for eleventh and Burnside’s 317 placed him fourteenth in the nation.
This is the third consecutive national tournament the Spartans have finished third and the ninth consecutive top five finish since winning the 2012 title.
“Congratulations to Sandhills and Georgia Military on a tremendous week as the scores they put up were outstanding,” noted Retzlaff. “The display of golf from the top three teams was superb today. On the back nine there was a hole-in-one, multiple eagles and chip-ins from off the green. It really was an exciting finish to the championship.”
