The Baker golf team chose to compete in an interesting tournament to start out the fall season Monday and Tuesday, going against teams from all over the United States at the Lindenwood University Fall Invitational.

“It was tough seeing all the different shots they had. Some of those guys can just bomb it,” junior Adam Gotsche said. “It’s almost tour-like sometimes.”

The Wildcats faced opponents from Iowa, Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the 24-team tournament at Crescent Arms Golf Club.

The five-man Baker squad got plenty of shots in, shooting 36 holes on Monday and another 18 Tuesday.

“Everyone knew sort of what they needed to work on,” sophomore Adam Taylor said. “We went in knowing it was the first tournament and we needed to get the jitters out and get off to a good roll.”

The top golfers for Baker were senior PJ Matulka who shot 78, 80 and 77, and Taylor who shot 79, 80 and 78.

Taylor said he wasn’t too overwhelmed during the tournament despite playing against so much talent.

“It was like a normal tournament really,” he said. “We had more competition than a normal tournament I guess you could say.”

Freshman Eric Reimer said he enjoyed meeting people from other states and seeing how the out-of-state golfers compare to those in Kansas.

Taylor added the tournament was very beneficial for the Wildcats.

“I think overall the team got a lot out of the last few days. We grew as the last couple days went on.”

Reimer believes he got a lot out of his first tournament.

“It was a good first tournament I think,” he said. “I know what college golf is like now.”

Gotsche said although the Baker golfers didn’t shoot as well as they hoped for, the team was able to bond and enjoy the trip.

“It was fun for me and I think it was fun for everyone else too,” he said.

Next up, the golfers will travel Sunday to Evangel University for a three-day tournament.

Taylor believes the Baker squad might be underestimated when compared to the rest of the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

“I think we’re a little overlooked,” Taylor said. “We will pull through as the season goes on.”

Gotsche thinks Baker can compete with any school in the conference.

“I think we’ll do fairly well,” he said. “If we play as well as we can, we’ll be right up there.”