Both the UW-Eau Claire men’s and women’s golf teams began their 2017 competition season this weekend, finishing fifth and fourth, respectively.

The men’s team opened their season competing at the Augsburg Invitational at the Majestic Oaks Golf Club in Ham Lake, Minnesota.

Eau Claire found themselves in sixth place after Saturday’s first round, posting a team score of 301. Senior Ryan Isaacson shot a team best of 69 that left him tied for first place at the conclusion of round one.

The Blugolds were locked in for round two of the Augsburg Invitational, shooting a much improved score of 289 on Sunday to move them up a spot into a fifth place finish.

Isaacson said he wasn’t necessarily thrilled with the outcome, but was pleased with how the team bounced back on Sunday with a great team round of golf.

“Our group of guys is good enough to win any tournament we go to,” Isaacson said. “So yes, the fifth place finish wasn’t exactly what we wanted but there were a lot of positives to take away from this weekend.”

Along with a strong team showing, four Blugolds placed in the top 25 in competition. Isaacson finished the weekend tied for third overall while sophomore Alex Rogan shot a score of 69 on his own Sunday to finish in a tie for 18th. Another pair of sophomores, Grant Burish and Michael Immekus tied for 22nd, each shooting a score of 148 over the weekend.

Head Coach Mike Greer said the team’s goal is to qualify for the 2018 Division III NCAA Championship, but he doesn’t want the team can’t look too far ahead.

“Our focus this season is to try to stay in the present,” Greer said. “Take things a day at a time.”

The women’s team opened up the season at the UW-Oshkosh Titan Classic at the Oshkosh Country Club.

Both rounds were completed on Sunday for the women in Oshkosh after Saturday’s action was postponed due to inclement weather.

Like the men, the lady Blugolds shot a better second round (342) than the first (348), starting their season off with a fourth place finish.

Senior Molly Lattery led the way for UW-Eau Claire tying for seventh overall with a score of 169. Along with Lattery, three other Blugolds placed in the top 20, making the opening tournament a promising one.

Junior Ashli Stolen tied for tenth with a score of 171. Rounding out the top 20 was junior Allison Chomniak placing 19th and freshman Megan Glaeser who tied for 20th.

The goal is the same among the men’s and women’s teams: to compete for a national championship, says Stolen.

“We all have the talent to make that goal happen,” Stolen says. “With hard work and determination, there is no reason that we can’t achieve that goal.”

The women’s team is back in action next weekend for the Georgianni Blugold Invitational with Sunday’s round being at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club and round two at Wild Ridge Golf Course on Monday, while the men’s team will host the Frank Wrigglesworth Blugold Invitational next weekend with Sunday’s round taking place at Wild Ridge Golf Course and Monday’s edition being held at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club.