DETROIT LAKES, Minn. Both Rocky golf teams delivered dominant final rounds on Tuesday to sweep the Comet Invitational in Minnesota, highlighted by a seven-stroke individual victory from freshman Natasza Klimko.
No. 18 men's golf leans on nine-under-par final round for victory
After entering the third and final round at nine under through two days, the Battlin' Bears saved their best for last. Rocky posted a blistering nine-under-par team score in the final round to capture the Comet Invitational by 19 strokes, finishing as the lone program to shoot under par on Tuesday.
Senior Kristjan Burkelca led the way, finishing second overall with a 54-hole total of nine-under-par 207 (68, 69, 70). His final round featured 11 pars, three birdies and an eagle, leaving him just one stroke shy of the individual title. Burkelca played remarkably clean golf all week, recording just five bogeys and one double bogey over three rounds while finishing in the top three individually in par-3 (+1), par-4 (even) and par-5 (-10) scoring.
People are also reading…
Braxton McDonald surged into third place overall behind an outstanding final round, finishing at seven-under-par 209 (71, 70, 68). McDonald played bogey-free golf on Tuesday to card the lowest score in the field with a four-under 68. McDonald and Burkelca were two of only three golfers in the tournament to sink multiple eagles, while McDonald led the entire field with 40 pars, five more than any other competitor.
Sam Norman added a strong top-five performance, posting an even-par 216 (74, 71, 71) to finish fifth overall. Norman dominated on par-4 holes, tying for the best scoring total in the field (-1) while registering 14 birdies, the second-highest mark of the tournament.
Spencer Gill rounded out Rocky's top four in seventh place, turning in a two-over-par 218 (69, 75, 74). Gill led the Battlin' Bears on par-3 scoring, shooting even par overall to tie for the second-best mark in the field.
Nathan Piers saved his best round for last, firing a two-under 70 on Tuesday to wrap up his week at eight-over-par 224 (76, 78, 70). His final-round card was the second-lowest score of the day. Alexander Brester also bounced back in the third round, shooting a one-over-par 73 to finish at 18-over-par 234 (85, 76, 73).
The Rocky men captured the title with an 18-under-par team total of 846 (282, 285, 279). Their third-round score bested the field by 10 strokes, sealing a commanding team victory. Bellevue University finished runner-up at one-over-par 865.
Klimko earns first collegiate win in No. 25 Rocky women's triumph
The Rocky women's golf program left no doubt on the second day, outshooting the rest of the field by 20 strokes to secure a runaway victory in Minnesota.
Freshman Natasza Klimko stole the spotlight in just her second collegiate tournament, finishing at even-par 144 (70, 74). Her second-round score of two-over 74 tied for the day's best round, propelling her to a seven-stroke victory and her first collegiate win. Klimko led the tournament in par-3 (-1) and par-5 (-5) scoring while pouring in nine birdies, three more than any other golfer.
Fellow freshman Anna Lende secured the first top-five finish of her collegiate career, placing fourth overall with a 12-over-par 156 (79, 77). Lende carded three birdies in each round for a total of six, tying for the second-most in the field.
Catalina Garcia finished just one stroke back in fifth place at 13-over-par 157 (81, 76), while Carlee Verdugo rounded out Rocky's scoring four in seventh place at 16-over-par 160 (84, 76). Both golfers tied for the fifth-most pars in the field with 17, with Garcia leading all competitors in par-4 scoring at three over.
Rounding out the lineup, Kirsten Smith tied for 14th with a 23-over-par 167 (82, 85), and Maggie Urian placed 19th with a 29-over-par 173 (90, 83). Smith tied for the third-most pars in the field with 18, while Urian ranked in the top five on par-3 scoring at three over.
The Battlin' Bears earned the team crown with a 39-over-par total of 615 (312, 303), securing a 26-stroke victory and their first tournament win of the season. Bellevue University finished in second place with a team score of 65-over-par 641.
The Battlin' Bears return home to host the Beartooth Invitational starting Monday, September 28 at Laurel Golf Club.
