It was just fun.

That’s how Head Coach Mike Greer described his men’s golf team’s play in three tournaments last weekend.  After falling to UW-Stout on Friday, the Blugolds placed fourth Sunday at the St. John’s Winter Invitational in Monticello, Minn., and then placed sixth at the St. John’s Spring Invitational on Monday, also in Monticello in ideal weather conditions.

Greer said some of the top teams in the country were present at the last two meets and the Blugolds held their own against the top-tier competition.

“I thought that was one of the reasons why our weekend was successful,” Greer said.  “We were literally playing against some of the best teams in the nation and we were able to beat a few of them and when we weren’t able to beat them, we were within a few strokes.”

Friday, despite the loss to Stout, the Blugolds got a strong performance from junior Ben Brooks.

He won the tournament with 70 strokes in 18 holes, good for one under par.  Brooks said he just stuck to his game to be successful against the Blue Devils.

“I don’t really do anything spectacular to ‘wow’ anybody,” Brooks said. “I just put the ball in play and be smart around the golf course and eventually that adds up to a pretty good score.”

Senior Tim McCormick led the way for the Blugold golfers on Sunday and Monday.

He shot a 143 over 36 holes to place fifth in the St. John’s Winter Invite  Sunday and then went on to place 13th with 73 strokes on 18 holes.

He said he was under the weather this past weekend, but he was happy with the way he battled.

“Being tired and a little sick, I played pretty well,” McCormick said. “I hit (the ball) really well. Overall I was pretty pleased with how I played this weekend.”

Greer said he and the entire team have come to expect strong play from McCormick, the lone senior  on the Blugolds’ roster.
He said the team looks up to McCormick and turns to him when they need a spark, and this weekend was no different.

“We really look to him to play well each meet, and Tim steps up to the table almost every time,” Greer said. “He had an outstanding weekend and I was proud of the way he played.”

While Brooks and McCormick have formed a strong  combination at the top of the lineup this season, McCormick said they have needed people behind them to step up.

McCormick said sophomore Sean Murphy, who shot one stroke behind Brooks and McCormick Monday, answered the call.

“He really stepped up for us and that was the main difference really,” McCormick said.  “As long as we can have three or four guys to step up, that would be really key.”

Mother Nature also finally decided to cooperate with the athletic department last weekend, and the men’s golf team was a happy recipient.

Greer said the weather, which hit a sunny 70 degrees all three days, made the weekend more enjoyable for everyone.

“To be honest, everyone was just in a good mood and enjoying the golf,” Greer said. “It’s been a frustrating spring for everyone and we finally had good weather.”

The Blugolds now hit the road again to play in the Gustavus Adolphus Invitational in Le Sueur, Minn. for a Friday and Saturday tournament.

After competing well against the top-tier teams in the country last weekend, Brooks said if the Blugolds play well enough, a trip to Nationals could very well be in store.

“If we continue to do what we have been doing and playing good golf, there’s definitely chances of us getting a bid,” he said.
Greer agreed.

“We’ll be playing against a lot of the similar teams we played against last weekend,” Greer said.  “We’re preparing hard this week and we’re really excited and looking forward to more success this upcoming weekend.”

If the Blugolds play well this weekend and succeed in making it to Nationals, more fun will certainly be in store.