Index of Sports Press Releases

April 22, 2008

Tigers take six-shot lead at GPAC Men's Golf Championships
The Daily Republic

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Dakota Wesleyan University purposely scheduled numerous tournaments in late March in Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, with the hope that it would get them in mid-season form for the Great Plains Athletic Conference Men’s Golf Championships.

After one day and 18 holes, that strategy is paying off.

The Tigers carded a 305 in less-than-ideal conditions Monday at Green Valley Golf Course in Sioux City, Iowa, and they lead by six shots heading into today’s final round. It was cloudy and windy for Monday’s 18 holes, with a high of just 53 degrees.

“I honestly feel like we left a few shots out there, but I think the guys are pretty confident in the fact that we didn’t play our best golf, and it was a tough day for scoring on a pretty long golf course,” said DWU head coach Adam Anderson. “I think our guys made pretty good on-course adjustments. I’d attribute that to the fact that we’ve played a lot of tournament golf this spring already.”

The Tigers were led by a freshman, Tyler Evenson, who shot an even-par 72. He’s currently alone in second place, two shots behind Northwestern’s Luke Vermeer (70).

“(Evenson) actually missed about four putts inside of 10 feet,” Anderson said. “It could’ve been 3- or 4-under with a few putts. He was hitting the ball excellent.”

Junior Brett Abbots shot a 75 and is in fifth place and another freshman, Chris Pritchard, is tied for 15th after shooting a 78.

Senior captain Tom Hoek’s 80 put him in a tie for 23rd, and Nick Gates is tied for 30th with an 82. However, Anderson said he expects both to play better today as he watched his guys get in some extra practice after Monday’s round.

“We’re actually out at the course practicing right now,” he said. “I can see the hunger in their bellies or the fire in their eyes, or however you want to put it. I think (Hoek and Gates), now that we’re in the position because the other guys got the job done, those two have a little more experience and can hopefully step up. I think they’ll play a little bit better.”

There are four teams that are within striking distance of the Tigers. Hastings and Dordt are six shots back at 311, and defending champ Nebraska Wesleyan and Midland Lutheran each shot a 314. However, Anderson said his team is pretty comfortable playing with a lead.

“They all have the potential to make a run,” Anderson said of the teams trailing DWU. “At our level, pretty much anyone does. I don’t think we’re scared though.

“I think we play pretty well with a lead. We’ll try to stay aggressive and play our kind of golf.”

Today’s tee times are based on Monday’s scores, so DWU will be in the final pairing. Gates will be the first Tiger to tee off around 10:15. Anderson said scoring conditions should be better today, with more sun and less wind, and he hopes his team can capitalize on the opportunity they’ve been waiting for all year.

“I hope the guys realize they can do it,” he said. “They can win a conference title.”

First-round results

1. Dakota Wesleyan, 306 (Tyler Evenson, 72; Brett Abbots, 75; Chris Pritchard, 78; Tom Hoek, 80; Nick Gates 82). T2. Hastings, 311. T2. Dordt, 311. T4. Nebraska Wesleyan, 314. T4. Midland Lutheran, 314. 6. Northwestern, 318. 7. Sioux Falls, 320. 8. Briar Cliff, 324. 9. Morningside College, 325. 10. Concordia, 327. 11. Doane, 336.