Upper Midwest Athletic Conference

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. (Oct. 4, 2008) – A dominant first round of 317 propelled the Martin Luther College men’s golf team to a first place finish after Day 1 at the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Championship on Friday.  The Knights held on with a Day 2 score of 335 to win the event with 652 strokes.

Martin Luther was the only team to score under 340 in the first round, as the deep roughs, big trees and lightening fast greens at Alexandria Golf Club took every other team captive on Friday.  Northwestern College took the field by storm on Saturday with a second day score of 321, but the Knights claimed a 14-stroke win in the end.  Joe Zell and Isaac Crass each shot a 161 over the two days to lead Martin Luther, while teammate Joe Biebert added a 162.

Northwestern, who was in fourth place after a Day 1 score of 345, had two players shoot 76 and 77 in the second round to pressure the Knights before ultimately resting in second place by a mere stroke.  Tyler Fearing shot a 160 for the Eagles, while Nick Olson came into the clubhouse on Saturday with a 161.

Bethany Lutheran College, the reigning UMAC champions, finished with a 667 to place third in the event.  Mitch Koepp carded a 159 in the tournament to lead his team.

Crown College, who was led by tournament medalist Josh Ottoson (75-80-155), took fourth.  The University of Minnesota, Morris, North Central University and Presentation College finished fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

Click here for full team and individual results.

2008 Men's All-Conference
Josh Ottoson (Crown)
Dean Goodwin (North Central)
Mitch Koepp (Bethany Lutheran)
Tyler Fearing (Northwestern)
Nick Olson (Northwestern
Joe Zell (Martin Luther)
Isaac Crass (Martin Luther)