The Wisconsin men's golf team will kick off its spring season March 3 after enjoying a successful fall campaign.
In the latest poll released by Golfstat.com, Wisconsin is ranked No. 25—virtually uncharted territory for a team that was ranked 118th last season.
Last fall was the best semester in Wisconsin's program history, as the Badgers opened the season with consecutive victories in the Mid Pines Intercollegiate and the Wolverine International. The Badgers also finished no worse than fifth in any of the five events they competed in.
The coming spring season holds even more promise. The Badgers are in the hunt for an NCAA Regional bid, and the ultimate goal of getting into the NCAA Championship this season is certainly possible—if the team is able to maintain its scintillating form.
The strong performances by the players last fall give much cause for optimism. Sophomore Dan Woltman, who led the team with a 71.40 scoring, will be expected to spearhead the team again this time round.
Woltman, a Beaver Dam, Wis. native, recorded three top-10 finishes and was one of UW's top three golfers in all five tournaments.
Woltman capped a memorable semester with a victory at the Virginia Commonwealth Mattaponi Springs Shootout, shooting a career low score of 202 (65-70-77) over 54 holes.
He is currently ranked 86th in Golfweek's collegiate individual rankings.
Team captain and senior Garrett Jones finished second with a 72.13 scoring average during the fall season. His experience will also be crucial to the Badgers' success in the spring season.
Junior Jeff Kaiser (73.13), sophomore Tyler Obermueller (73.33) and senior Adam Steinhofer (74.67) rounded off the top five scorers last fall.
The team boasts strength in depth, with Patrick Duffy (74.83) and Jordan Elsen (75.33) also posting decent scores.
The young age of the team is a promise of greater things to come. Jones is the only senior who has played in every event this year. Elsen is a freshman, while Obermueller and Duffy are sophomores. With Woltman also staying for a couple more years prospects are looking bright for the Badgers.
After the winter break, the Badgers will be raring to go again. The time off will have helped to prevent burn out and keep the players fresh for the long, grueling rigors of the spring semester.
Head coach Jim Schumann's first task will be to ensure that the team is focused and ready for its game this Sunday, as the Badgers travel to Naples, Fla. to take on Florida Gulf Coast University in a dual match at Fiddler's Creek Golf Club.
Women finish 14th
In other results, the Wisconsin women's golf team finished 14th out of 16 teams at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic held at Coco Beach Golf Course in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico.
The Badgers finished on Sunday with a 23-over par 311 for their third round, giving them a three-day total 77-over par, 941 (316-314-311). Junior Katie Elliott was the Badgers' top finisher as she placed 29th out of 85 golfers.
