BECKER, Minn. – The Yellowjacket men's golf team finished the first round of play at the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Championships. Despite an off weekend at the Twin Cities Classic, the 'Jackets have put together a strong showing in the fall 2023 campaign, earning the top spot in three tournaments.
 
In the opening round of play Thursday, the Yellowjackets continued their strong season, finishing in first place with a 13-over 301.
 
Pacing UW-Superior was junior Nate Burke (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld), carding an even-par round of 72. Despite starting his day with a bogey, Burke fought back and put together a nice round featuring back-to-back birdies on the par-3 fourth and par-5 fifth and two more throughout the afternoon. Burke is currently atop the field on the individual leaderboard.
 
Right behind Burke was sophomore Andrew Rude (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), who fired back-to-back birdies on both the front and back nine to end his afternoon with a two-over 74. Individually, Rude sits right behind Burke on the individual leaderboard at second place.
 
Conner Willard (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing) currently shares third place with three other golfers after finishing with a three-over 75. His round featured a birdie on the par-5 fifth and an eagle on the par-5 second. Teammates T.J. Sitek (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) and Blu Anderson (Amery, Wis./Amery) each carded an eight-over 80 on the afternoon. Both Yellowjackets are in a tie for ninth place.
 
Behind the Yellowjackets by 18 strokes are the Eagles of Northwestern, tailed closely by North Central. Crown and Martin Luther sit at fourth and fifth place, respectively, while Bethany Lutheran, Minnesota Morris, and Northland round out the circuit's opening championship round.
 
Round two of the UMAC Championships continue Friday at Pebble Creek Golf Course. Tee times begin at 11 a.m.