The Blugold men’s golf team has created quite a name for itself with its current No.1 Div. III national ranking.

Last year, the team finished fourth at nationals. This year, the Blugolds plan to win nationals by repeating the success of their matches on Friday and Saturday.

The Blugolds earned the No. 1 spot, finishing 5-under-par with a total score of 571 at the Augustana Invitational in Rock Island, Ill.

Senior Mark Christensen contributed to the win by earning a tie for third place with a score of 143.

“Overall, I think we played very well given the conditions,” Christensen said. “It rained a little the first day, but it was cold both days.”

Next week is going to be a good test for the team, he said.

“I don’t have any personal goals right now,” he said. “All I want to do is help the team and our success.”

The Blugolds now hold a stellar record of 76-1 after defeating the 17 other teams at the weekend invite.

Senior Ryan Quinn shot 67 in the opening round. He concluded his performance Saturday with a 71 to finish six-under-par. His score was the lowest in the tournament, which stood at 138.

Freshman Grant Lissick followed Quinn with a 142, which put him in second place. His 74 on day two helped him with his placement. Senior Andy Smith, who finished in eighth place, said he feels good about the Blugolds’ record.

Despite the mid-20 degree weather, Smith said that the team still fought through it.

“This meet, we just put as many clothes as we could on and went out and played,” Smith said. “Our practices this week may be different until the snow melts off the courses.”

The five-hour drive, didn’t hinder the team’s performance either, he said.

The Blugolds will be traveling again next weekend as they will compete at the Western Illinois Invitational in Macomb (Ill.). Smith said the invite, which will feature Div. I schools, should be a challenge.