BECKER, Minn. – It's been a strong start to the 2023-24 season for the Yellowjacket men's golf team.
 
After placing fifth to start the year at the Augsburg Invitational, the Yellowjackets came home for the first time in four years to finish 1-2 at the two-day Twin Ports Collegiate.

Thursday, the defending Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) champions took the course against the rest of the conference, competing at The Golf Club at Pebble Creek in Becker, Minn. as part of the UMAC Preview.
 
And if Thursday is any indication, it's going to be an exciting run over the next few weeks.
 
The Yellowjackets fired a team score of 305 Thursday, edging North Central by three strokes to give them their second win in three starts this season. The Rams placed second with a combined score of 308, followed by Northwestern at 315. Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther tied for fourth place after shooting 336.
 
A trio of Yellowjackets led the way Thursday. Conner Willard (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing), who lead from start to finish over the weekend to take home medalist honors at the Twin Ports Collegiate, was one of three Yellowjackets to tie for fourth place on the day. Willard, Nate Burk and Andrew Rude (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) were all four strokes off the pace at Pebble Creek, shooting four-over 76s. They accounted for three of the five players who were tied four fourth. Right behind that trio was freshman Blu Anderson (Amery, Wis./Amery), who carded a five-over 77, which placed him in a tie for ninth place.
 
Those four accounted for the Yellowjackets' team score of 305, but there were still more strong performances.
 
T.J. Sitek (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) broke 80 Thursday, placing 12th with a seven-over 79. It marked the fourth time in five rounds this season that Sitek shot under 80 for a round. Trevor Durfee (Superior, Wis./Superior High School) shot an 81 on the day, tying him for 14th place, giving the Yellowjackets six golfers in the top 14.
 
Ian Bundy (Austin, Minn./Austin) shot 85 Thursday, putting him in a tie for 23rd place. Rounding things out for the Yellowjackets was Seth Pettingill (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), who shot 86 and placed 28th.
 
Shane Seiffert of Northwestern was the individual medalist Thursday, shooting an even-par 72.
 
Next up for the Yellowjackets is the two-day Frank Wriggleworth Blugold Invitational, hosted by UW-Eau Claire. The event will be held at Eau Claire Golf and Country Club in Altoona, Wis.