STILLWATER, Minn. – The North Dakota State men’s golf team opened up the Tommie Invitational Monday at the Stoneridge Golf Club, firing rounds of 294 and 286 to open up a 9-shot lead on the field.
Ian Simonich led the way for the Bison through the opening 36 holes, carding rounds of 72 and 71 on the par-72 course. Simonich had six birdies on the day with three in each round. He sits in a tie for third in the individual competition, three shots off of the lead held by Northern Iowa’s Connor VanWeelden.
Rylin Petry had the best round of the day for the Bison with a -3 score of 69 in round two, jumping up to sixth on the leaderboard after an opening round 75. Petry had five birdies and an eagle in his second round.
Jake Skarperud had the best opening round for the Bison, carding a 70 before firing a 77 in round two, falling back to +3 and 12th in the 65-golfer field. Josh Galvin shot an opening round 77 and finished the day with an even par 72, sitting in a tie for 23rd at +5. Sean Moore opened with an 81 and fired a 74 in the second round, sitting in 44th at +11.
Carter Spalding and Beck Erholtz played as individuals for the Bison. Spalding opened with a 79, but responded with a 74 in round two, sitting at +9 and in a tie for 37th. Erholtz shot rounds of 83 and 84, sitting in 64th overall.
Northern Iowa sits second in the team competition, nine shots back of the Bison. Host St. Thomas rounds out the top three in the 8-team field, sitting 12 shots back.
The Bison will wrap up the three-round event on Tuesday with the individuals set to begin at 8:30 a.m. and the team set to tee off beginning at 10:20 a.m.
Full results can be found here.