HAM LAKE, Minn. – The No. 25 nationally-ranked Gustavus men’s golf team opened up the season with an impressive weekend at the Augsburg Invitational, as the Gustie “A” team took first with a plus-12 300-300-600, nine shots better than UW-Eau Claire in second. Saint John’s took third with a 617, while the Gustavus “B” team finished fourth with a 310-310-620.

After a strong performance on day one of the invite, the Gusties kept things rolling Sunday, as the “A” team made serious jumps up the leaderboard to hold their spot at the top of the field.

Kaste, who had five birdies in his Saturday round, carded three more on Sunday, shooting an even 69-75-144 to take first in the field. Both Chris Gutuza and Aradheea Gawade climbed up the leaderboard Sunday, each carding a pair of birdies. Gutuza finished with a two round 78-75-153 for 13th, while Gawade went 79-75-154 for 19th in his first collegiate weekend. 

Jimmy Abdo, also competing in his first collegiate invitational, shared 13th with Gutuza, while Blake Forrest rounded out the team in 20th with an 80-75-155. 

“The Gusties won our tournament! The course was playing very difficult today, but the pars were good,” said Kaste after his victory. “No one played their very best, but we all worked to put together four decent scores and win. I didn’t have my best day and faced a lot of adversity, but I saw I was tied for the lead with three holes to play and knew it was go-time. I finished really strong to close out the win, and I’m so proud of everyone and so happy to win the first tournament.”

Jack Reinardy helped the Gustie “B” team take fourth overall, as Reinardy finished 72-73-145 with two birdies on Sunday. Tommy Hiniker and Wyatt Carlson each took 21st with a plus-12 156. Pelayo Perez Crespo moved up 13 spots to take 42nd, while Caleb McBee rounded out the team in 47th. 

Cameron Longie led the Gustie individuals, shooting a plus-eight 143 for ninth. Cole Paulson finished 31st (79-75-154), while Khrystjan Petersen took 46th and Tomas Rohrborn took 56th. 

The team will compete at Bethel’s Minnesota Classic next weekend at Pioneer Creek in Maple Plain.