The Baker men’s golf team got a taste of spring early by competing against conference teams during a tournament Monday and Tuesday.
The competition in Marshall, Mo., was hosted by Missouri Valley College.
“It gave us a look at how our conference will stack up,” junior Tim Sipe said. “It really confirmed that we’re going to have to compete really well during conference time to compete for a (Heart of America Athletic Conference) title.”
The first day of the tournament, the Wildcats fought bad weather and the team’s scores reflected it. The second day, however, was another story entirely as the varsity turned it around and finished second overall.
“The first day was pretty rough, and it wasn’t the score we wanted to shoot,” freshman Kevin Hostetter said. “We were pleased with the second day and a second-place finish.
For the varsity squad, senior co-captain PJ Matulka shot 81 and 82 during the two-day competition. Junior Gavin Tatrn shot 84 and 75, freshman Eric Reimer shot 86 and 75, co-captain Adam Gotsche shot 89 and 75 and sophomore Adam Taylor shot 90 and 74.
Taylor fought through a potentially difficult situation as his driver was discovered broken underneath the grip. He replaced the driver with a 3-wood and never looked back, as he went on to shoot a 74 the second day, which matches his career-low score at Baker.<br/>Taylor believes the team is improving but knows anything can happen between now and next spring.Taylor believes the team is improving but knows anything can happen between now and next spring.
Taylor believes the team is improving but knows anything can happen between now and next spring.
“It seems like, as the tournaments are going, we are playing really well,” Taylor said.
Sipe said the men’s team has a large amount of experience that will prove pivotal in spring competition.
“Overall, I think we have a lot of guys who have been here awhile,” he said. “I think we have a top-heavy team in terms of upperclassmen. They’ll be ready to compete.”
Hostetter believes finishing strong in the last tournament will provide a boost for the spring.
