Team Record Smashed as William Penn Takes ‘27 Shootout’ Crown
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–For the first time in perhaps ever, the Statesmen men’s golf team went into the red as a collective unit en route to a convincing win at the William Penn 27 Shootout Thursday.
William Penn took big advantage of playing on its home turf, finishing first out of seven teams (three varsity squads) with a 27-hole score of four-under-par 416 (137-279). Play was contested at the par-35 Harvest Point Golf Course and par-70 Edmundson Golf Course. Des Moines Area CC was second at 441 (148-293).
The 279 breaks the old 18-hole program record of 286. While there may have been Statesmen groups from the pre-NAIA era that broke par (pre-2000 results are scarce), Thursday is definitely the first time since at least the fall of 2001 that a WPU team has accomplished the feat (team par at Edmundson is 280).
The Statesmen took gold, silver, and bronze on the individual scene with Frederik Lundsgaard (Jr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) leading the 37-player field at 100, including a four-under 31 at Harvest Point and a one-under 69 at Edmundson. The junior has now broken par in all three of his rounds so far this fall.
Zachary Chegwidden (Fr., England) claimed runner-up status at 102 (34-68), also posting in the red twice. Clay Tucker (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) took third at one-over-par 106 (35-71).
Sebastian Rulis (Jr., Helsingor, Denmark, Business Management) (38-71–109) tied for fifth and Kyle Hashimoto (Sr., Acampo, Calif., Exercise Science) (37-79–116) tied for 18th to round out the varsity scoring.
Two Statesmen junior varsity teams were hitting the ball around as well. The ‘B’ team came in fourth at 456 (151-305) and the ‘C’ team was sixth at 488 (158-330). Individually, Brandon Dizon (Sr., San Leandro, Calif., Sociology) (36-77) and Rory Schafer (Jr., Solwezi, Zambia, Mechanical Engineering) (38-75) were at the forefront by tying for 12th at 113. Peter Frederiksen (Jr., Hornslet, Denmark, Mechanical Engineering) was next, tying for 14th at 114 (38-76). Bradley Hamilton (So., Earlham, Iowa, Physical Education) (39-77) and Cade Hartman (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) (37-79) also finished in the top 20 in a tie for 18th at 116.
Beau Squires (Sr., Conrad, Iowa, History/Government and Sociology) (T-21st, 38-79–117), Skylar Cunningham (So., Knoxville, Iowa, History/Government) (T-26th, 41-79–120), Zach Swink (Sr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) (29th, 40-84–124), J.P. Rios (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Business Management) (T-33rd, 42-93–135), and Marcus Littleton (Sr., Norwalk, Iowa, Communications) (T-33rd, 42-93–135) completed the JV results.
“I am really pleased with how this team is coming together,” Head Coach Steve Tucker said. “The level of competition is so high and guys are pushing each other every day to get better. I honestly believe this could be the best team William Penn has ever had, especially in the modern era.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Boonville, Mo. next Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Central Methodist Open. Play will be contested at Hail Ridge Golf Course.
