Benson Saves His Best For Last; Leads CC At SJU Invite

MONTICELLO, Minn. (4/30/23)---Freshman Gabe Benson saved his best golf for the final meet of the 2022-23 season. Benson posted his first-ever collegiate Top 10 finish and helped the Cobbers finish in 10th place at the SJU Spring Invite.

Benson opened the 2-day tournament by posting the lowest score by a Cobber in 2022-23. He fired a 2-under 70 at the Lynx National GC on Saturday. That score was good for a share of the first-round lead heading into the final day.

Benson fell back to a 79 on Sunday at the Monticello CC but still finished in 9th place after carding a total of 149.

Benson's two rounds under 80 gave him the low-average crown for Concordia for the season. Benson finished with an average of 76.7 in his 18 rounds during the year.  

As a team, the Cobbers opened with a 309 and came home with a 312 in the windy second round. The 312 on Sunday was the seventh lowest team score of the day.

Fellow freshman Landon Olson was the No.2 finisher for CC at St. John's. He opened with a 79 and then shot the best round by a Cobber on Day 2 with a 75. He was one of only 11 of the 100 golfers at the meet to shoot 75 or better on Sunday.  His 2-day total of 154 was good for a tie for 22nd place.   

Olson finished second in scoring average for the season. He ended his first collegiate season with a 76.9 average.

Ryan Jenson completed a successful spring stint by being the third member of Concordia to post two rounds in the 70s. He put up identical scores of 78 on the weekend and tied for 33rd.

Jayce Johnson, Justin Lamp and Colton Westra all finished within one shot of one another to round out the team's Top 6 for the weekend.

Johnson led the trio with a total of 162. He shot an 82 on Saturday and then improved by two strokes with an 80 on Sunday.

Lamp and Westra tied at 163 but got there by different routes. Lamp bolted out of the gate with a 78 but fell to an 85 on Day 2. Westra was Mr. Consistent, with an 82 for the opening round and an 81 on Sunday.