The Grinnell Men’s Golf team endured bad conditions and tough competition this past weekend to finish 15th out of a pool of 19 at the Buena Vista University Spring Invite held at Lake Creek Country Club in Storm Lake, Iowa April 27th and 28th.

“Both days, the weather was a big factor,” said Jon Cohen ’14. “It was very cold when we started, and the wind would pick up during the day, which made easy course play pretty difficult.”

Top finishers for the Pioneers at the Buena Vista Invite were Peter Marsho ’12, who shot a 76 on Friday and a 77 on Saturday to tie for 20th with a total score of 153, Ian Luby ‘13, who tied for 64th with an 83-80-163, and Jimmy Borrasso ‘12, who tied for 74th with an 86-79-165 on Saturday.

Cohen led Ginnell’s second team by placing 52nd overall, shooting a solid 76 on Friday followed by an 85 for a combined score of 161. Overall, the second team placed 19th at the invite.

“I don’t think we, as a team, were happy with how we competed last weekend,” Head Golf Coach Brian Jaworski said. “Something has to change in our mindset if we are going to play to our ability.”

“The meet was extremely competitive,” Peter Marsho said. “We didn’t play too well as a team, but the field was pretty stacked. There were a lot of nationally ranked teams and teams that are going to nationals there, so it is always fun watching them play.”

The team is now competing in the Midwest Conference Tournament, which is being held at the Aldeen Country Club in Rockford, Illinois, May 3rd through May 5th. The team sent, Luby, Borrasso, Jared Dye ’12, Cohen, and Peter and Chris Marsho ’14 to compete in the tournament.

“I think we’re right where we need to be,” Cohen said. “We’re going to have to play really well to be in contention. We want to finish in the top three, but more than anything we just want to have a chance going into day three. Just to be relevant for the whole tournament is what I think we all want.”

“I think given we all play well and do what is expected of us … we have that shot of possibly doing some big things,” Peter Marsho said.

“The MWC Men’s Golf Championship is a real test and if you don’t have the mentality that ‘nothing is going to stop me today,’ then you are going to be eaten alive,” Coach Jaworski said.  “Now, we have time to get into that “not to be denied” attitude, but that takes work. I think we are going to be as determined and mentally strong as we have been all year. “ 

The Pioneers are facing some tough competition, most notably from St. Norbert College, Carroll College, and Monmouth College. However, after one day of golf, the Pioneers tied for first with Carroll, shooting a team score of 311. Individually, Peter Marsho shot a 76, which puts him in a five-way tie for first place, Cohen and Chris Marsho both shot a 78 to tie for 6th and Dye tied for 13th place with a 79.