UW’s fall season sprinkled with notable individual performances
November 09, 2015 | Men's Golf
Abrahamson, Wajda earn three top-25 finishes apiece
Michael Abrahamson (T6, T3, T14) and Eddie Wajda III (T20, T24, 5) headlined the results, as the pair combined to pick up half of the team's top-25 spots.
Abrahamson ( 4, 76-72=148) began the season tying for sixth at the 36-hole AMFAM Fall Invitational, Sept. 14-15, which he and Brett Robinson participated in as individuals. Robinson (73-76) was just one stroke back at a 5-over 149 to place tied for eighth.
At the Badger Invitational, Abrahamson (71-70-76=217) had his best finish of the year. He tied for third at 1-over which trailed Jordan Hahn's (72-68-71) 5-under 211.
Wajda tied for 20th and tied for 24th at the Badger Invitational ( 8, 77-74-73=224) and Erin Hills Intercollegiate ( 4, 73-74-73=220), respectively, before placing fifth at The Grove Intercollegiate ( 1, 73-72=145). The result marked his best-ever collegiate tournament finish.
Ben Skogen recorded the best finish of his career at the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic, as he tied for second with a 3-under 71-69-70=210. His scorecard was tied for the eighth-best 54-hole output in UW history.
The duo lead UW in scoring, both with top-10 season averages. Skogen narrowly edged Wajda (73.79) for the team lead in scoring average at 73.36 strokes per round.
Hahn was Wisconsin's top rookie as he had the third-best scoring average (74.29) overall. His Round 2 score (68) and second-place finish at the Badger Invitational were team-bests. In fact, Hahn's 4-under 68 tied the second-best score ever recorded at University Ridge, trailing Jim Lemon's 67 from 2000.
Badger coach Michael Burcin said of the season, "This was a very productive fall in that we had so many of our young guys get so many reps. When you have a freshman, two sophomores, and a junior, who as a group, hadn't had much college golf experience, make up the bulk of your lineup, the immediate future is very bright."
Burcin continued, "The jumps that Skogen and Abrahamson made are amazing. Dropping seven shots in their combined stroke average speaks to their work ethic and they have only scratched the surface. Jordan Hahn had a very productive first semester for us and he has his name in the record book after that 68 in the Badger. Brett Robinson was in contention to win the Notre Dame event so he proved early he has a lot of game as well.
"Finally our leader, Wajda, continues to improve all facets of his game and he continues to grow. His work ethic and attitude is infectious and has been a big reason why these young guys got off to a great start."
Burcin added, "Overall we love the commitment and energy of this group. I wish we were starting our spring season tomorrow."
As a team, UW is averaging 296.71 strokes per round through the fall which would rank seventh all-time if the season were over today.The Badgers opened the season at the Fighting Irish Gridiron Classic, Sept. 14-15, placing ninth out of 12 teams. Wisconsin finished at 22-over and improved each round of the tournament, shooting 295-291-288=874. The Badgers were just one shot off Xavier in eighth and two shots behind seventh-place William & Mary.
Hosting the Badger Invitational, Sept. 27-29, Wisconsin finished seventh with a 44-over 302-294-312=908. The team was in 10th after Day 1 and jumped to fourth in the second round before dropping to seventh on the final day. The Badgers were four shots off USC Upstate in sixth.
UW earned its best finish of the year at the Erin Hills Intercollegiate, Oct. 4-6. The team placed sixth with a 54-hole score of an 18-over 882. Additionally, the Badgers matched their best 18-hole (288) score of the season and picked up a season-low for 36-holes (584).
At The Grove Intercollegiate, which was cut short due to rain, Wisconsin (306-298=604) placed eighth with a 28-over 604 through 36 holes.
The Badgers (294-299-293) finished 10th at their final fall tournament-the Gifford Collegiate Championship-with a 34-over 886. UW jumped three spots in the third round, as it finished just three strokes behind ninth-place Tennessee ( 31, 296-298-289=883).
The entire spring schedule has not yet been released, but the conference tournament will be held at Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Indiana, April 22-24.
NCAA considerations will be handed out following the conference tournament, as the Badgers hope to be in the mix for the first time since they placed 14th at the 2008 NCAA West Regional.
Players Mentioned
