MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. – It was a weekend to remember for the Luther College men's golf team. In their second weekend of competition, the Norse put together their best performances of the season this far, as they finished third as a team with a 72-hole score of 877. Jay Fjelstul (Decorah, Iowa / Decorah) was the top individual finisher for Luther, as he carded the second lowest score by a Division III golfer, finishing in eighth place with a score of 213 (-3).
DAY ONE RECAP
The Norse put together a spectacular first day on the course, as they finished the day in second place thanks to a score of 292. Fjelstul, in particular, was at the top of his game, as he made four birdies and an eagle on the first day of competition to finish at -2. His score of 70 was one of the lowest by a Division III golfer, as Fjelstul finished in the top-10 as an individual behind Division I golfers.
Senior Brandon Dorans (Hoffman Estates, Ill. / Barrington) served as Luther's No. 2 golfer on the course, finishing the day at even par with a score of 72. Haakon Rustad (Northfield, Minn. / Northfield) and Hogan Reuter (Farmington, Minn. / Farmington) closed the first day with matching scores of 75, while Mark Devlin (Cookstown, North Ireland / Cookstown) finished with a score of 83 on the opening day.
DAY TWO RECAP
After a strong performance on day one, the Norse were looking to maintain their position in the top-3 teams as they set out to shoot two 18-hole rounds. As a team, Luther shot 296 in the first of two rounds on Sunday, once again led by Fjelstul's 72 second round score. The Norse, though, saved their best for last. The team put together its best round of the tournament in the third and final 18-holes, as the quintuplet shot 289 to finish with a three-round score of 877 (+13).
Fjelstul tied for eighth individually as he shot even or under par all three days of the tournament. After shooting his opening round 70, Fjelstul shot 72 in the second and 71 in the final, closing with a three-round score of 213 (-3). The score was the second lowest by any Division III golfer by one stroke as the top six individuals were from Division I programs.
Rustad, Dorans and Reuter all finished in the top-50 with Rustad earning the second highest finish by the Luther golfer. The sophomore shot an even par 72 in the second round before posting a 76 in the third, finishing with a three-round score of 223 (+7). After struggling in the second round, Dorans shot a 73 in the third, finishing with a three-round score of 224 (+8).
Like his teammate, Reuter also shot a 73 in the final round of the tournament, capping his weekend with a three-round score of 225. Devlin improved every round of the tournament. After shooting an 83 on the opening day, the sophomore shot 75 in the second round and 72 in the third, closing with a score of 230.
TOP NORSE
- Jay Fjelstul (Decorah, Iowa / Decorah) was one of the best golfers on the course over the weekend, as he finished in a tie for eighth place with a score of -3.
- All five Luther golfers finished in the top-100, with Haaken Rustad (Northfield, Minn. / Northfield), Brandon Dorans (Hoffman Estates, Ill. / Barrington) and Hogan Reuter (Farmington, Minn. / Farmington) finishing within a stroke of each other. Mark Devlin (Cookstown, North Ireland / Cookstown) was not too far behind, as he was within five strokes of his teammates.
UP NEXT
Luther will hit the road next weekend, as the team participates in the Wisconsin Lutheran Invitational Saturday and Sunday. The tournament will be hosted in Hartford, Wisconsin with tee times to be announced.
