University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Gopher Invitational
Doeden Ties for 11th at Gopher Invite
9/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Minnesota senior Justin Doeden started his season with an 11th place finish at the 12th annual Gopher Invitational. The Gophers tied for ninth in their home tournament, which concluded Sunday afternoon in windy conditions at Windsong Farm Golf Club.
Doeden carded a 1-under-par 70 in the third and final round, as he did in Saturday's second round. He finished 3 over total. Starting on the 10th hole, he had two birdies and one bogey on the back nine, and made par on each of the last 11 holes. It was Doeden's third career top-20 finish in his two seasons wearing Maroon and Gold.
"Justin Doeden handled the wind and played really well for us this weekend," head coach John Carlson said. "As a senior, that's the type of leadership we hope to see from him as the season continues. A top-11 finish in a strong field was a good way to start."
Junior Riley Johnson tied for 27th at 7 over. He posted a 74 on Sunday. In his collegiate debut, Thomas Longbella (+12) played for the Gophers' "A" squad and tied for 41st. William Leaf and Grady Meyer rounded out the lineup. Leaf's 71 in the second round was tied for Minnesota's third best round in the tournament.
"You always hope to win your own tournament, but beating three top-50 teams, including two that went to NCAA Regionals last season, is a positive thing we can take away from the weekend," Carlson said.
Washington was ranked 24th in Golfweek's preseason poll while Pepperdine and SMU were No. 41 and 42, respectively. The Huskies and the Waves played at Regionals in 2016.
Jose Mendez had the best finish of the Gophers' "B" team, and the third-best finish for Minnesota overall. He was 10 over for the tournament, with a 76 on Sunday.
Thirteen of 14 players on Minnesota's roster saw action at Windsong, including four making their Gophers debuts. In addition to Longbella, freshmen Mason Fiddle and Campbell Fisher and transfer Alex Uloth played their first tournaments for the U of M. Fiddle had a 71 in his first round and 74 in his second before a few tough holes in his final round.
Oklahoma won the team competition for the second year in a row. The Sooners' team score of 860 (+8) was five strokes better than San Diego State's. Once again Oklahoma also boasted the tournament medalist, as Grant Hirschman (-3) beat Michigan State's Sam Weatherhead by a stroke. The Spartans' Dylan Deogum took third.
In the inaugural Gopher Individual at Pioneer Creek Golf Course, Kent State's Bjarki Petursson claimed medalist honors at 7 under. Luis Garza (-3) of Arkansas was second, with California's Alexander Wilson (-2) and Iowa's Sam Meuret tying for third.
For their next tournament, the Gophers will travel for the first time this season. The Inverness Intercollegiate in Toledo, Ohio, is scheduled for Sept. 19-20.
Gopher Scores
T9. A TEAM 298-293-295-884 (+32)
14. B TEAM 301-302-307-910 (+58)
T11. Justin Doeden (A) 76-70-70-216 (+3)
T27. Riley Johnson (A) 73-73-74-220 (+7)
T37. Jose Mendez (B) 72-75-76-223 (+10)
T41. Thomas Longbella (A) 74-77-74-225 (+12)
T44. Mason Fiddle (I) 71-74-81-226 (+13)
T49. Charlie Duensing (B) 78-76-73-227 (+14)
T56. William Leaf (A) 75-71-83-229 (+16)
T63. Alex Uloth (B) 78-74-79-231 (+18)
T63. Rúnar Arnorsson (B) 74-77-80-231 (+18)
T69. Peter Jones (B) 77-77-79-233 (+20)
T69. Matt Rachey (I) 81-75-77-233 (+20)
73. Grady Meyer (A) 78-81-77-236 (+23)
78. Campbell Fisher (I) 87-89-94-271 (+58)
Players Mentioned
