Photographs by Cam Andry
By Austin Kight | Echo
The men's golf team took fourth place out of six teams on Monday and Tuesday at the Taylor Invitational held at the Kampen Course in West Lafayette, Ind. The Trojans struggled through the first day but bounced back despite rainy conditions on Tuesday en route to fourth place and a team total of 620 for both days.
Leading the scores for the Trojans was Sophomore Nate Scheibe posting a 76, 75 with a two-round total of 151 and a tie for sixth overall in the field. All four of the Trojans' scores that counted toward the team total were improved by one or two strokes on day two.
"The wind on day two made it difficult in the finishing holes, however my putting improved and helped me cut a few strokes," Scheibe said. "Heading into the tournament next week I need to working on finishing my rounds better which I haven't been doing very well. If I can do that I will have a pretty good shot at an under-par round in the conference tournament."
It was a respectable couple of rounds for freshman Stefan Fahlen and Elliot Day who both shot identical scores, posting a 79 on day one and a 5-over 77 on day two.
"I was hitting the ball really well but I mis-clubbed on 3 shots that ended up costing me 4 or 5 stokes," said Stefan Fahlen after the round on Tuesday. "My short game was on for both rounds, so it definitely made me more confident to try and stick some pins, especially since I was 67% on getting it up and down."
Still, Kampen got the best of senior Jimmy Fahlen, firing an 81 on day one before cutting a stroke on day two (80) for a two-day total of 161. The team's veteran could not seem to find his tempo on the course with five doubles throughout the tournament.
"I felt that I played very poorly this tournament," Fahlen said. "But that's just the game of golf, some days you're stroking the ball nicely and others you just can't seem to find the fairway. Even though it was a tough day, I stayed focus and kept trying to turn it around but when playing a difficult course like Kampan a it's not always easy to do."
In the end it was Bethel College who brought home the trophy on Tuesday, shooting an impressive even par (288) on day two with a two-day total of 589. The Pilots' own Brady Klotz also received the individual medal after shooting a notable 3-under par 69 with a two-day total of 1-under 143.
Next up for the Trojans is the Crossroads League championship on Monday and Tuesday held at Orchard Ridge Country Club in Fort Wayne, Ind. With the course being one of the shortest the team will play all year, short game will be an essential part of their success as Taylor looks to win a nation title.
