The nationally-ranked Saint John's golf team begins its spring season by traveling southwest to the warm weather of Arizona for a dual meet with Division I, nationally-ranked Arizona State. The meet is scheduled for 2 p.m. (CST) on Tuesday, April 6, at the Karsten G.C. located near Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Preview Video:
-Head Coach Bob Alpers (1:37)
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: The Johnnies ended their fall season in style by winning the weather-shortened Twin Cities Classic on Oct. 11. SJU finished with a one-over par 289. The previous day's round was cancelled due to snow and the next day's final round was cancelled due to the impending weather forecast. Illinois Wesleyan finished second with a 291 (+3), followed by Concordia-St. Paul (293, +5), St. Cloud State (294, +6) and St. Thomas (294, +6). Freshman Mark Giorgi (Red Wing, Minn.) led the Johnnies as part of the nine-way tie for medalist with a two-under par 70. Sophomore Tony Krogen (Marshall, Minn.) followed with an even-par 72, while senior Ben Vangsness (Alexandria, Minn.) posted a 73 (+1). Junior Ben Cahill (Grand Rapids, Minn.) and freshman Dennis Granath (Bandhagen, Sweden/Farsta Gymnasium) tallied a 74 (+2) each. Freshman Andy Stahlman (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) fired an even-par 72 as an individual, while sophomores Alex Wallerich (Lake City, Minn.) and Alex Klehr (Mankato, Minn./West) recorded a 74 (+2) and 78 (+6), respectively. The win completes the first consecutive sweep of the Saint John's Invitational, Wis.-Eau Claire Invitational, MIAC Championship and Twin Cities Classic in the school's history. The win also concluded the Johnnies' first fall in which they did not lose to a fellow NCAA Division III opponent. SJU finished second to Division II Bemidji State at the Beavers' own invitational to begin the season Sept. 13-14. The Johnnies also had four athletes named MIAC Men's Golf Athlete of the Week during the fall season: Giorgi, Granath (twice), Krogen and Vangsness.
A LOOK AT THE SUN DEVILS: Arizona State opened its 2010 spring season on Feb. 3 with a 10th-place finish at the Hilo Big Island Competition in Kona, Hawaii. Since then, the Sun Devils have competed in three other meets and have finished no lower than sixth. The Sun Devils are led by junior Jesper Kennegard of Klippan, Sweden, who took home medalist honors at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Invitational on March 14. The victory was his third individual title, as he won the 2009 NCAA West Regional with a 12-under 204 last spring and the Hawaii Hilo Intercollegiate in 2008.
THE TRIP: The team departed for Arizona on Wednesday and began practices at Desert Mountain G.C. April 1-3. Desert Mountain is considered one of the finest golf courses in Scottsdale, Ariz., as it is home to six private championship Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses. On April 4, the team will practice at the Phoenix Country Club and then return to practice back at Desert Mountain on April 5 before taking on the Sun Devils Tuesday.
INTERESTING POLL: SJU dropped one spot to No. 7 in the latest Golf World Division III poll released March 17, despite holding an undefeated record against Division III opponents and not playing yet this spring.
