The men’s and women’s golf teams placed fourth and seventh, respectively, this past weekend at the SVSU Spring Invitational at Cherry Blossom Golf Course in Georgetown, Kentucky.
The two-day meet began on Saturday, and the men’s team finished the day in sixth-place at plus-17. Mason Motte led the Cardinals on the first day, sitting even for the day and tied for fourth place individually. Ryan Peruski followed Motte, shooting two over par and tying for 10th place.
The course did have its advantages for the Cardinals, as Peruski explained.
“We’ve played the course before,” he said. “We generally play better on courses that are a little tougher.”
The women had an equally strong first half of the invitational, hauling in fifth place at day’s end. Shooting a plus-54, they only trailed Grand Valley, Ashland, Northwood and Ferris State. Sabrina Coffman led the ladies at nine over par, shooting an 81. Coffman was tied with multiple other competitors in ninth place, while teammate Alexa Marston was tied for 20th, shooting a 12-over 84.
Sunday saw the men jump forward even further in team rankings, finishing the day and tournament tied for fourth with Ferris State at plus-22. Motte ended the tournament shooting one over par, while Peruski tied with several other golfers in 17th place. Jared Lyons scooted up the leader board and hauled in 28th place finish at eight over, shooting a 78.
“Mostly it was weather,” Peruski said of his squad’s jump in the rankings. “We all went out there knowing we could put up a good score if we played well.”
Peruski, a team captain, also explained that the huge difference in wind before the first and second days of the tournament is what really propelled his team on the final day.
The ladies took a step back on the second day, dropping two sports to seventh place. Coffman dropped off to 18th place, in a tie with four other golfers. Marston finished the tournament at 31st place, dropping 11 spots and tying with teammate Jenna Pepper at plus-26. Katie Boyd was able to hop up seven places and finish tied for 60th at plus-34 for the tournament.
Peruski has high hopes and plenty of confidence for his team to finish out the season well.
“We have a really good, experienced team, and we’re playing well off a great trip in Florida,” he said. “We should be able to make it to Super Regionals fairly easy, make a good run at winning the GLIAC Championships, and make it to nationals.”
