Masters men's and women's golf teams teed off at the Alisal Ranch Golf Course in Solvang, Calif. Tuesday in their own tournament — The 2022 TMU Danish Classic — with the men's team taking the first round lead in the nine-team field, and the women's team holding down fifth out of six teams.
On the men's side, Jack Dudeck shot 4-under on the back nine to finish day one with a 4-under total of 68 and a share of the individual lead. Seth Bishop is tied for fifth at even par with both Lucas O'Dell and Mitchell Briley tied for ninth after carding 1-over 73's.
"The men started out really flat this morning," said Head Coach
Jacob Hicks. "I don't think we carded our first birdie until well into the round. We did not take advantage of the par fives well at all. So I would probably rate this a C game. We didn't particularly play well but I am anticipating tomorrow to be much better."
Dudeck, who has won the previous two tournaments the Mustangs have played, shot par on every hole on the front nine. After a bogey on ten, the senior birdied five of the next eight holes to finish at 4-under.
"I'm pleased with the way Jack hung in there and finished well," Hicks said. "But as a team we left some shots out there. We need to be more aggressive on the par fives and take advantage of those a little bit better."
On the women's side, both
Hannah Ulibarri and
Bella Huff finished the first round tied for third at 5-over 77. Ulibarri continues to be the hot hand for the Lady Mustangs, and for Huff, her 77 is a career high.
"What a great round by Bella," Hicks said. "That's her personal best, and she's nursing an injury. So for her to post that score I was really pleased with that.
"I think the girls are going to play much better tomorrow," continued Hicks. "They have a better feel for the course… the way it's actually playing. I wouldn't be surprised we shoot our best score ever tomorrow."
While the golf on the course was considered less than what Master's would normally do, Coach Hicks was more than pleased with how the players conducted themselves on the course.
"I saw a lot of good attitudes, and that's what really counts," Hicks said. "We want to represent Christ well and I would give everyone a solid performance on that."
The second and final round will get under way Wednesday morning in Solvang. To follow the live results, go to GoMustangs.com and click on the schedule page of either the men's team or the women's team.
