The University of North Dakota men’s golf team had an outstanding performance at the Zach Johnson Invitational, held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, Iowa. The team finished first among nine competitors with a total score of 853 (+1), setting a new program record for a 54-hole event. This victory marks the team’s first multi-team event win since 2008.
Throughout the tournament, the Fighting Hawks consistently played well. They were one of only two teams to score in the 280s in each round. Their best round came in the middle, where they shot 281 (-3), propelling them to the top of the leaderboard where they remained.
On the individual front, three golfers from UND finished in the top seven. Freshman Carver Larson stood out with a strong performance, tying for fourth place with a score of 211 (-2). He was competitive throughout, opening with two rounds of 69 (-2) before finishing with a 73 (+2). This marked his first top-5 finish in college.
Right behind Larson was Carson Skarperud, who improved by seven strokes from his previous best, finishing sixth with a 212 (-1). He opened with a 72 (+1) and followed up with two solid rounds of 70 (-1).
Landon Miller also excelled, rounding out the top ten with a personal best of 213 (E). He started with a 74 (+3) and then recorded his first under-par round with a 70 (-1) in the second round, finishing with a 69 (-2) to climb into seventh place.
Nathan Peyerl narrowly missed the top ten, finishing tied for 12th with a score of 217 (+4). Joseph Kortan placed 28th with a score of 222 (+9), while Kagan Kollar, competing as an individual, finished tied for 29th with a 223 (+10).
This success reflects a positive trend for the Fighting Hawks. They are hoping to maintain this momentum. They will return home for a dual match against North Dakota State on October 1.
Historically, this win puts the program in a strong position as it continues to grow since transitioning to Division I. Their performance shows promise for future competitions, potentially leading to more accolades in the coming seasons.
For the latest updates on the team, you can follow them on social media @UNDmgolf or visit FightingHawks.com.
