Spartan Golfers Open Season with Pair of Tournaments Hosted by UM-Morris
The M State Golf Team participated in two meets hosted by UM-Morris at two different courses on Monday and Tuesday. Ellia Soydara was the Women’s medalist in both events, firing a 78 at Ruttger’s Bay in Deerwood on Monday and then shooting an 82 on Tuesday at Tianna Country Club in Walker. Soydara finished in fourth place individually at last year’s NJCAA Division III National Championship. The two wins bring to five the total number of medalist honors Soydara has achieved dating back to last season.
“It was great to get a new season going,” commented Head Coach Jason Retzlaff of M State. “Ellia was tremendous over both days. Shooting 78 and 82 on two difficult courses was a fantastic way to start the season. She drove the ball extremely well and made a lot of good putts. It will be exciting to watch her sophomore year unfold as she continues to improve.”
The Spartan Men finished fourth as a team in the Morris Invitational on Monday with a score of 352 and were led by Markus Nelson who tied for second place individually with an 81. Mankato-Bethan won the event with a 337, Martin Luther College was second with a 349 and UM-Morris was third with a 351. Jake Swanson of Bethany was the medalist with a 77.
Other team scores for the Spartans included an 89 from Brock Thompson, a 90 from Adam Vatnsdal, a 92 from Erik Bjorndahl and a 98 from Nathan Hillman. Charlie Fuder, competing as an individual, fired an 82, while Riley Stromlund recorded a 91.
Adam Vatnsdal teeing off a Tianna Country Club during the Cougar Invitational on Tuesday. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
Ellia Soydara teeing off at Ruttger's Bay during the Morris Invitational on Monday. PHOTO by JEFF HAUKOS
On day two, M State was third in the Cougar Invitational with a score of 327. Bethany was once again the team champion with a 318 and Martin Luther College was runner-up with a 323. UM-Morris came in fourth with a 335.
Adam Vatnsdal led the Spartans with a 76, placing 3rd overall and Charlie Fuder was tied for 4th overall with a 78. Sam Hansen of Martin Luther College shot a 2-under par round of 70 to earn medalist honors, with Keaton Ginter of Bethany one shot behind with a 71.
Other Spartan scores included an 85 from Markus Nelson, an 88 from Riley Stromlund and a 92 from Brock Thompson. Competing as individuals, Nathan Hillman turned in an 86 and Erik Bjorndahl had an 88.
“For our men, it was a rough first day and to have our first tournament on a difficult course like Ruttger’s is a challenge,” said Coach Retzlaff. “But we bounced back nicely on day two. Adam had great control of his golf ball, leading us with a 76 at Tianna. Charlie shot 78 while not having any score worse than a bogey. As the team continues to get more comfortable in the college environment, I’m confident we will see improvement across the board. This is going to be a great group of young men to coach this year.”
The Spartans will next compete at the Spartan Invitational on Friday, September 8 at Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls.
