NEW PRAGUE, Minn. – The tune up continues for the Yellowjacket men's golf team. Just weeks before they head for Kentucky to compete in the 2023 NCAA Division III Golf Championships, the Yellowjackets were part of a massive field at the 2023 Bobby Krig Invitational, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College at the par-71 New Prague Golf Club.
 
The field features 20 teams, including three teams ranked regionally. The teams will play 36 holes over two days in one of the only events going on in the region this weekend.

After day one, the Yellowjackets sit 16th, after firing a combined score of 323. The Yellowjackets, who were the top scoring team among Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Saturday, are one stroke ahead of Bethany Lutheran.
 
UW-Eau Claire shot a 12-over 296 to take the lead after the first day. The Blugolds lead Saint John's and Gustavus by a stroke.

Leading the way for the Yellowjackets was Nate Burke (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld). The sophomore from Duluth carded a seven-over 78, the low score among golfers from UW-Superior. Burke shot one-under through the first five holes before bogeying three of the final five holes on the front. He struck the ball consistently throughout the day.
 
Conner Willard (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing) had a strong day for the Yellowjackets, finishing the round at nine-over, shooting 80, tying him for 59th place. Right behind Willard was Ian Bundy (Austin, Minn./Austin), who shot 82, tying him for 70th place. Neither Willard or Bundy carded a birdie Saturday.
 
Arguably the most exciting round of the day for a Yellowjacket came from T.J. Sitek (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior). The junior from Superior finished the day with a 12-over 83, but he carded four birdies on the day, including three on the front nine. But he also got into trouble with double bogeys, bringing his score up some.

Rounding things out for the Yellowjackets were Cody Stanisich (Eveleth, Minn./Eveleth-Gilbert Senior) and Trey Shaw (New Ipswich, N.H./Mascenic Regional). Both were playing their first rounds of the spring for the Yellowjackets Saturday. Stanisich was fifth among the Yellowjackets' scoring five, coming in with a score of 87. Although not in the Yellowjacket five, Shaw had a good day on the course, carding a 13-over 84.
 
The field will play day two of the Bobby Krig Invitational Sunday. Teams will begin teeing off at noon at Le Sueur Country Club in Le Sueur, Minn.