Spartan Men Headed to National Tournament for 11th Straight Year, Ewan Qualifies for Women's National Tourney
The M State Men’s Golf team won the Region XIII National Qualifier with a two day total of 636 over runner-up Southwest Tech from Fennimore, Wisconsin with a 650. The event was held at Prairie Du Chien Country Club in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin. The win qualifies the Spartans for the NJCAA Division III National Championship. It is the eleventh consecutive year the Spartans have qualified, the longest running streak in Division III golf. In addition, Audra Ewan became the first Spartan women’s golfer to qualify for Nationals 10 years, earning an individual qualification to the National Tournament with a two day total of 188 (95-93).
Region XIII Champs. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
"I am so happy for this group and they truly earned a national tournament trip by saving their best golf of the fall for this moment,” commented Spartan Head Coach Jason Retzlaff. “It was another close battle with a very good SW Tech team as Coach Scott Kennedy runs an outstanding golf program. With 6 holes to go it was very close as our lead after day 1 disappeared quickly as we really struggled out of the gates on Tuesday. We found our footing and played extremely well coming down the stretch. I was extremely impressed by our team's ability to perform so well under pressure late in the round."
Hunter Burnside. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
Overall medalist - Joel Quam. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
Audra Ewan. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
Joel Quam of M State was the medalist with a two day total of 152 (77-75). Hunter Burnside carded the low round of the tourney with a 72 on day 1. He finished one shot behind Quam with a 153 (72-81). Grant Inniger turned in a 163 (82-82), Sam Western a 170 (88-82) and Mikey Vall a 171 (86-85).
"Joel Quam played tremendous golf for two days straight and a big congrats to him for earning medalist honors,” said Retzlaff. “He was so consistent for two days and was our rock on the second day. Hunter Burnside was also big for us with a nearly flawless even par round on day 1. Sam Western also gave our team a lot of momentum putting up his best round of the Fall on the final day. This has been a wonderful group of young men 1-6 to work with this fall and it's very gratifying to know they will have an opportunity to compete at the national level."
Grant Inniger. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
Coach Retzlaff continued, "we are so happy for Audra being our first women's player to qualify for nationals in a decade. She played very steady both days and drove the ball extremely well. She is a very talented and dedicated player who has done a wonderful job representing Spartan women's golf. We are so thankful for her efforts this fall and can't wait for her to compete in New York next June."
The Spartan men and Ewan will compete June 7-10 at Chautauqua Golf Course in Chautauqua, New York in the NJCAA Division III National Golf Championship. The Spartan men have finished in the top five at nationals every season since winning the title in 2012. They have finished in third place 3 of the past 4 tournaments.
