76 // VARSITY May 15, 2014
INSIDE
MEN'S GOLF
Badgers bring back all but
one from improved team
Wisconsin closes out best season since 2009
BY TESSA RUID @BADGERMGOLF
W
isconsin closed the
books on the most
successful season
in five years by improving to
10th at the Big Ten champi-
onship, the best finish since
2009. UW recorded a 311-302-
312-297―1222, the fewest
strokes for the 72-hole tourna-
ment since 2010. In addition,
the Badgers had three players
place among the top 25 in the
tournament for the first time
since 2008, and only the third
time since 2000. Junior Thom-
as O'Bryan shot a 12-over-par
76-76-74-74―300 to take 12th
place at the Big Ten champion-
ships, the highest finish for an
individual since 2010. Redshirt
seniors Jack Watson (78-71-
80-75) and Zach Balit (78-77-
76-73) tied for 24th place with
a 16-over-par 304.
TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL NOTES
● The Badgers improved their 18-hole
scoring average by 3.93 strokes per
round over the previous year, averag-
ing 300.18 per round in 2013-14. It
was the lowest stroke average since
299.50 in 2010.
● The team had six top-10 finishes in
tournaments this season, the most
top-10s since 2009-10.
● Wisconsin recorded a 54-hole best
288-299-295―882 at the USF Invita-
tional March 2-4. UW also recorded
its 18-hole best of 288 and 36-hole
season-low of 587 at the event.
● Redshirt junior Jack Watson led UW
with his career-best 18-hole average
of 74.83 strokes per round, the first
average of 74 since Stephane Dubois
recorded a 74.07 in 2010-11.
● All members of the team set or tied 24
career marks this season.
● Eight Badgers recorded career 54-
hole best tournament finishes.
● Redshirt junior Robert Jacobsen
earned his second Big Ten Golfer of the
Week honor on March 19 after carding
a 36-hole career-best 3-under par 72-
69―141 at the rain-shortened 36-hole
Seahawk Intercollegiate held March 16.
● Jacobsen, Balit and Watson combined
for 29 rounds this year at 74 or lower.
● Jacobsen led the team with three top-
25 finishes, while Balit and freshmen
Tommy Schofield and Ben Skogen
each had two.
● All but one member of the team re-
turns for 2014-15.
● Jacobsen and Matt Ross earned Aca-
demic All-Big Ten honors.
Jack Watson paced
UW with 74.83
strokes per round
SCHEDULE
LAST TIME OUT
May 2-4 Big Ten 10th place
Championships
