V-Hawk golf takes on Whistling Straits

The Viterbo University men’s golf team took 18th place out of 20 in the Whistling Straits Championship at the Whistling Straits golf course in Kohler, Wis. to close off their fall season.

The team collectively scored 725 strokes over the course of two days, which put them at 149 over par. Nick Paulson, a junior from Rochester, Minn. had the best score for the V-Hawks, which earned him the title of conference player of the week in the North Star Athletic Association. Paulson shot 176 over the two-day tournament, which put him at 32 over par. He ended the tournament tied for 51st in the overall individual standings. Aaron Raabe, a freshman from Onalaska, obtained the second-best score for the V-Hawks, with 177 strokes over the course of the weekend, which left him tied for 56th in the individual standings.

The weather was far from ideal, as strong winds impacted play, and temperatures remained steady in the mid-40s. Nevertheless, Viterbo senior and team captain Ricky Speltz had a positive experience at the event: “While the weather was not ideal, it was a great overall experience because of the quality of the golf course, which is one of the best of the country.” Whistling Straits golf course will host some of the world’s best players next October, when the Rider Cup comes to Wisconsin.

Speltz also added that “I was impressed with how everyone on the team battled through the conditions,” stating that “all of my teammates had a positive attitude throughout the tournament.” Speltz shot 181 over two days, good for 37 strokes over par; he finished tied for 67th in the overall individual standings.

The field included some of the best NAIA teams in the country, including Texas Wesleyan, Midland University, and hosts Taylor University. Keiser University won the Tournament with a two-day total of 619, putting them at 43 over par.

The golf team will not compete again until next spring, and the schedule is yet to be determined. The one certainty is that Viterbo will host the conference tournament between April 27-28, 2020.