Saint John's is finally able to hit the local links this weekend, beginning with a 2 p.m. dual against Division II St. Cloud State today at Lynx National G.C. in Sauk Centre. The Johnnies then host the 36-hole SJU Winter Invitational on Sunday, April 28, and the single-round SJU Spring Invitational on Monday, April 29, at Monticello C.C.
Preview Video:
-Head coach Bob Alpers (1:37)
A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Saint John's opened its spring season with a 295-302 dual win over St. Thomas on March 28 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. Sophomore Derek Brinker (St. Michael, Minn./Heritage Academy, Fla.) led the Johnnies with a career-best three-under par 69. Junior Casey Vangsness (Alexandria, Minn.) followed with a 74 (+2) and classmate Tommy Koehler (Eden Prairie, Minn.) added a 75 (+3). Sophomore Drew Lynch (Stillwater, Minn.) and senior Dennis Granath (Bandhagen, Sweden/Farsta Gymnasium) rounded out the Johnnies' five with a 77 and 78, respectively.
A LOOK AT THE HUSKIES: Sophomore golfer Tyler Koivisto was the individual medalist and St. Cloud State tied for second out of five teams at the Winona State Open April 20. Minot State won the tourney with a 289, three shots ahead of MSU-Mankato and the Huskies. He shot a two-under par 69 to win the tournament by one stroke. Freshman Matt Bible tied for seventh with a 72 and classmate Chase Hahne shot a 75. Senior Gordy Diekman and junior Charlie West posted a 76 each.
LAST YEAR'S DUAL: SJU started its 2012 spring season with a two-shot victory over the Huskies last April 2 (2012) at St. Cloud C.C. The Johnnies shot a one-under par 287, two shots ahead of St. Cloud State (+1, 289) and 14 shots in front of SJU Blue (+13, 301). Vangsness led all golfers with a four-under par 68, which tied his career best (67 at the par 71 Monticello C.C., 2011 SJU Spring Invitational). Lynch tallied an even-par 72 and Granath added a one-over par 73. Junior Dominic Todora (Woodbury, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) led SJU Blue with a 73 of his own, while sophomore Brett Draxler (Plymouth, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) followed with a two-over par 74.
WHO WILL BE THERE: In addition to SJU, golfers from the following schools are expected to compete at one or both of the meets: Bethel, Carleton, Concordia-Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus, Macalester (Sunday only), Minnesota (Sunday only), North Central (Minn.), St. Cloud State, St. Olaf, St. Thomas, Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Wisconsin-Stout (Monday only).
