Toledo Captures Share of Island Resort Intercollegiate Title

Monday, September 5

Harris, Mich.

All Day

University of Toledo

Island Resort Intercollegiate

Toledo opened its 2022-23 season by capturing a share of the Island Resort Intercollegiate.

Toledo Captures Share of Island Resort Intercollegiate Title

9/5/2022 5:00:00 PM | Men's Golf

Final Results (PDF)

BARK RIVER, Mich. – The Toledo men's golf team brought home a share of the Island Resort Intercollegiate on Monday afternoon in its opening tournament of the 2022-23 men's golf campaign. The Rockets shot a one-over par 289 today to finish tied with Illinois State at eight-under par 856 on the par-72, 7,375-yard Sage Run Golf Course.

Senior NJ Botha paced Toledo individually by tying for second place with a career-low nine-under par 207 (68-69-70) for the best finish of his collegiate career.

Junior Barend Botha, NJ's brother, finished alone in sixth place at five-under par 211 after matching his brother with the Rockets' best round of the day with a two-under par 70.

"NJ has really been a catalyst for success," Head Coach Jeff Roope said. "In qualifying, he led the way almost tying a course record in Round 1 at Highland Meadows shooting 64 and followed that up with a 63 at Toledo Country Club. He's always been a talented player and has matured each year on and off the course. He led the way this week for sure. His brother Barend came up big in the moment too, making three straight birdies at the end of his round to help pull us even."

Junior Jamie Tofte Nielsen tied for 28^th place at four-over par 220 (73-73-74), while senior Palmer Yenrick tied for 34^th place at six-over par 222 (72-74-76). Senior Michael Terblanche rounded out the Rocket lineup by tying for 40^th place at eight-over par 224 (70-79-75).

Barend Botha closed out today's round with three straight birdies, while Nielsen, Terblanche and Yenrick each birdied their final hole to help the Rockets secure a share of the tournament title.

"To have four of five guys birdie the 18th hole and the fifth one have a putt to break the tie was huge," Roope said. "We specifically talked how we played the 18th yesterday, the pars we made there and how we gave up shots to the field. For them to come up with birdies in the clutch when it mattered was huge."

Freshman Bence Kotel competed as an individual and finished in 14^th place with a one-under par 215 (70-73-72) in his first collegiate tournament.

"We have a good group of hard-working guys who really share some ideas and philosophies about team golf," Roope said. "It's been really nice to see them do that with each other on their own over the last 10 days. It's paid off on the golf course even when things are challenging. They were able to figure out a way to show resiliency like they did at the end of today's round."

The Rockets return to action next weekend with a trip to Independence, Minn. to compete in Minnesota's Gopher Invitational on Sunday-Monday, Sept. 11-12.

TEAM STANDINGS
T1. Toledo 281-286-289=856 (-8); T1. Illinois State 287-285-284=856 (-8); 3. Michigan 291-282-287=860 (-4); 4. Kentucky 299-278-287=864 (E); 5. North Dakota State 293-285-291=869 (+5); 6. Miami 295-283-294=872 (+8); 7. Southern Illinois 294-292-288=874 (+10); 8. Valparaiso 301-282-296=879 (+15); 9. Bowling Green 302-299-288=889 (+25); 10. South Dakota State 302-295-298=895 (+31); 11. Kentucky B 302-298-301=901 (+37); 12. Green Bay 321-302-311=934 (+70); 13. Northern Michigan 327-319-329=975 (+111)

TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS
1. Valentin Peugnet (ISU) 72-66-65=203 (-13); T2. NJ Botha (Toledo) 68-69-70=207 (-9); T2. Caleb VanArragon (Valpo) 72-66-69=207 (-9); T4. Matthew Schaefer (SDSU) 72-66-72=210 (-6); T5. Ben Hoagland (Mich.) 72-67-71=210 (-6)

TOLEDO INDIVIDUALS
T2. NJ Botha 68-69-70=207 (-9); 6. Barend Botha 71-70-70=211 (-5); 14. Bence Kotel (Ind.) 70-73-72=215 (-1); T28. Jamie Tofte Nielsen 73-73-74=220 (+4); T34. Palmer Yenrick 72-74-76=222 (+6); T40. Michael Terblanche 70-79-75=224 (+8)