University of Minnesota Athletics
Almstrom Victorious in Pro Debut
7/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Former University of Minnesota All-American Victor Almstrom fired a course-record 7-under par 65 in the final round of the Giant Open to take medalist honors in his first tournament as a professional. He opened the two-day event with a 3-under par 69. The Giant Open, hosted by Swedish pro golfer Robert Karlsson, is an event on the Swedish Mini-Tour.
A native of Vallingby, Sweden, Almstrom played in 45 tournaments in his career at the U and finished with a 74.39 stroke average. As a senior, Almstrom was in the Gopher lineup for all of the team’s 11 events, finishing second on the team with a 74.15 stroke average. He was named All-Big Ten First Team following his junior season and was named an All-American at the conclusion of his sophomore campaign.
Almstrom adds to an already impressive list of former Gopher’s that are playing professional around the world, including Matt Anderson, Bronson La’Cassie, Simon Nash, Clayton Rask, Justin Smith and Niall Turner as well as John Harris on the Champions Tour and Tom Lehman on the PGA Tour.
Minnesota finished runner-up at the 2009 Big Ten Championships and was awarded a spot in the NCAA Northeast Regional. In eight seasons under the guidance of Director of Golf Brad James and Associate Head Coach Andrew Tank, Minnesota has finished first or second at the Big Ten Championships five times, including three titles (2002, 2003, 2007) and finished no worse than fourth.
Also, the Gophers have advanced to regional play in all but one season under Director of Golf Brad James, winning the 1999 Central Region with a score of 865. Minnesota has advanced through the regional into the NCAA Championships nine times since 1993 and captured the 2002 NCAA title in Columbus, Ohio with a score of 1134.
Players Mentioned
