ELK RIVER, Minn. – The Yellowjacket men's golf team was back in action Saturday, competing at the Twin Cities Classic, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College.
 
The tournament is one of the more unique events in the region. Taking part over three days, the teams will play on three different courses. Saturday saw the Yellowjackets and the rest of the field competing at the Elk River Golf Club in Elk River, Minnesota. And it's safe to say the Yellowjackets will be among the golfers looking forward to not playing there Sunday.
 
It's been a strong start to the season for the Yellowjackets, but Saturday the team collectively turned in an off day.
 
Through the first 18 holes of the 54-hole event, the Yellowjackets sit 17th after carding a score of 332.
 
Conner Willard (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing), who is enjoying his best collegiate season thus far, was the top scoring individual for the Yellowjackets Saturday, finishing with an eight-over 80. Willard got better as the round went on, holing his only birdie of the day to start the back nine and shooting two strokes better on the back.
 
Freshman Blu Anderson (Amery, Wis./Amery) wasn't far behind Willard, shooting a 10-over 82. Anderson had two birdies in the round – one on the front nine and one on the back nine and was two strokes better on the front nine. Nate Burke (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld) was one-stroke behind Anderson, firing an 83 Saturday. He had three birdies for the round.
 
The final scoring position for the Yellowjackets Saturday was T.J. Sitek (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior), who carded a 15-over 87. Sitek's round included a stretch where he birdied two out of three holes.
 
Rounding things out for the Yellowjackets Saturday were Andrew Rude (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) and Ian Bundy (Austin, Minn./Austin). Rude was part of the Yellowjacket five and shot an 88. Bundy, meanwhile, was playing as an individual and finished the round with an 85. Bundy had a strong start to the day, finishing the front nine just five over, but ran into trouble a bit on the back nine.
 
Saint John's and Bethel are tied atop the leaderboard after the first day of play, as each team shot a seven-over 295.
 
Jacob Hall of Bethel and Fritz Belisle of Augsburg are tied for first place after the first round, each having fired a three-under 69. They were two of the four golfers who played under par Saturday.
 
The second round of the Twin Cities Classic is set for Sunday at The Links at Northfork in Ramsey, Minn.