UNI Men’s Golf Team Competes at Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate
News Summary
The UNI men’s golf team opened their season at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate in Palm Desert, California. Despite finishing last, the competition provided valuable experience. JD Pollard led the team with a score of 227 over three rounds. The team looks forward to improving in their next challenge at the SDSU Jackrabbit Invitational.
UNI Men’s Golf Team Competes at Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate
The Standings Breakdown
The Panthers found themselves finishing in 15th place out of 15 teams, but it was all about getting back into the swing of things—literally! Despite the tough competition, the players gained valuable experience on the course. The team title went to Charlotte University, which dazzled with an impressive score of 833 (-31), while Xavier Bighaus from Colorado Christian snagged the individual title, shooting a phenomenal 204 (-12).
Round One Highlights
In the first round, JD Pollard was the leader for UNI, firing a score of 73 (+1), which placed him in a tie for 46th. Not too shabby for a first round! Meanwhile, Tanner Dinnebier, the talented sophomore, registered a score of 75 (+3), settling him into a tie for 64th. Connor VanWeelden rounded out the opening performances with a 77 (+5), tying for 76th, while Calen Bishop and Brock Seiser faced challenges, scoring 83 (+11) and 85 (+13), respectively.
Picking Up the Pace in Round Two
As the tournament continued into the second round, Tanner Dinnebier shone brightly, impressively matching his first round score with another 73 (+1), landing him in a tie for 59th. JD Pollard kept the momentum going with a 75 (+3), also tying for 59th. Connor VanWeelden and Calen Bishop both put in solid efforts with scores of 75 (+3) and 78 (+6), respectively, while Brock Seiser struggled this round with an 81 (+9).
The Final Round: An Opportunity for Growth
The last day of competition brought its own set of trials. JD Pollard led UNI once again with a 79 (+7), putting him in a tie for 71st with a total of 227 (+11). Connor VanWeelden followed his teammate closely, finishing with a score of 76 (+4), which landed him a tie for 73rd overall and a total score of 228 (+12). Tanner Dinnebier experienced a bit of a setback, shooting an 81 (+9) in the final round, which left him tied for 76th with a total of 229 (+13).
Calen Bishop and Brock Seiser had their challenges as well, with scores of 79 (+7) for Bishop bringing him to 88th place overall with a total of 240 (+24), and Seiser faced a tougher day on the green, scoring an unfortunate 92 (+20) to finish 90th with a total of 258 (+20).
Looking Ahead
While the results at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate may not have been what the UNI men’s golf team aimed for, they walked away with much-needed experience that will only help them improve. Their next challenge awaits as they prepare for the SDSU Jackrabbit Invitational, set for March 7-8. The competition will be hosted by South Dakota State University at the scenic Boulder Creek Golf Club in Nevada. Here’s to hoping these dedicated athletes find their groove and shine on the next stage!