NIACC's Castle shoots career-best 68

MASON CITY - Sophomore Tim Castle shot a career-best 68 to lead the NIACC men's golf team Tuesday at the Highland Park Golf Course.

The 68 by Castle tied the best round in the Chris Frenz era, which began in the fall of 2006. Other rounds of 68 in the Frenz era were recorded by Jacob Urdahl at the 2012 RCTC Fall Invitational and Levi Fink on day 2 of the NJCAA Division II national tournament in 2014.

"Tim Castle was really really good (Tuesday)," Frenz said. "I can't say enough about his effort out there (Tuesday).

"He's been so close to going low in practice and in a couple of tournaments, so it is great to see him do this (Tuesday) on our home course. He was two shots off the leader and he proved that he belongs up there with the high quality players we have in this conference.{ 

NIACC, which shot a fall season low of 295, also received career-best rounds from Anders Palmquist (74), Mitchell Staudt (74) and Bennett Suntken (79). NIACC's Elic Fjetland shot 79 and Jackson Koebernick shot 83.

The previous low score for the Trojans this fall was a 318 at the Buena Vista Fall Invitational on Sept. 17.

"This was a great day for our men's team as we had a number of guys shoot their career lows," Frenz said, "and it proves to ourselves that we can get it done.

"We just ran into a buzzsaw today with DMACC shooting an tremendous 275. We've been struggling lately so for us to shoot a 295 is really encouraging. Mitchell and Anders were outstanding (Tuesday), as well. Anders' and Mitchell's confidence just continues to grow and grow each day." 

A total of five teams shot under 300 on Tuesday with DMACC claiming the team title with a 275.

NIACC returns to action Friday at the Waldorf University Fall Invitational at the Rice Lake Golf Course in Lake Mills.

"I'm really looking forward to following up this effort on Friday at Rice Lake in the Waldorf tournament," Frenz said.

Team standings - DMACC 275, Hawkeye CC 288, Iowa Lakes 293, DMACC B 294, NIACC 295, Waldorf 309, Hawkeye CC B 310.

MEN'S LOWEST SCORING ROUNDS UNDER FRENZ (Fall 2006-)

Jacob Urdahl 68 (RCTC Invitational) (9-13-12)

Levi Fink 68 (Day 2, NJCAA Division II National Championships, 2014)

Tim Castle 68 (NIACC Fall Invitational (9-26-23)

Ben Boerjan 69 (Grand View Shootout) (9-17-18)

Ben Boerjan 69 (Iowa Central Invitational) (4-14-19)

Levi Fink 70 (DMACC Invitational) (4-4-13)

Hunter Miller 70 (Iowa Central Invitational) (4-6-14)

Levi Fink 70 (Day 4, NJCAA Division II National Championships, 2014)

Sam Steinwand 70 (Day 1, NJCAA Division II National Championships. 2015)