NIACC's Bennett Berger tees off Tuesday at the NIACC Fall Invitational.

September 17, 2024

Berger fires 67 at NIACC Fall Invite

MASON CITY - NIACC's Bennett Berger fired a 67 to tie for second Tuesday at the NIACC Fall Invitational at Highland Park Golf Course.

Hawkeye CC's Kaeden Anderson was the individual medalist with a 66. Waldorf University's Caden Skelding tied Berger for second with a 67.

The 67 by Berger is the lowest round by a NIACC men's golfer in the Chris Frenz era, which began in 2006. Jacob Urdahl had the previous low NIACC men's round since 2006 with a 68 at the RCTC Invitational on Sept. 13, 2012.

Garrett Ham was next in line for the Trojans with a 69, which was tied for 5th in the individual medalist competition. Ham's round of 69 is tied for the fifth best round in the Frenz era.

It was the first time in the Frenz era that two golfers broke 70 in the same round.

"Those guys are so solid at one-two," Frenz said. "We'll be in every tournament with that type of effort."

NIACC placed fourth in the team standings with round of 294. Hawkeye CC was the team champion with a 287 and Iowa Central was second with a 291.

Iowa Lakes placed third with a 292.

"Obviously, we're disappointed to not come away with a win at home," Frenz said, "but the guys are right there with the top teams in our league.

"It just goes to show how every single shot matters as there wasn't a lot of separation between the top teams."

Also for the Trojans, freshman Drew DeGabriele shot 78, Ashtin Willms shot 80 and Tommy Birdsell shot 82.

"It was great to see Drew DeGabriele play well again as he scrambled to shoot 78," Frenz said. "Ashtin Willms had the wheels come off at the end of his round, but I'm not worried at all about his effort. I love the fight in him and he'll bounce back this weekend."

NIACC's B team placed 11th with a 317. Freshman Ian Roske shot 77, freshman Brody Frayne shot 78, freshman Sam Van Brocklin shot 80, freshman Gavin Anderson shot 82 and Brady Nygren shot 87.

"I was also really happy to see Ian Roske and Brody Frayne put together solid rounds (Tuesday)," Frenz said. "They needed that confidence boost."

NIACC returns to action Saturday and Sunday at the Buena Vista Fall Invitational at the BVU Golf Course at Lake Creek in Storm Lake.

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

Bennett Berger 67 (NIACC Fall Invitational) (9-17-24)

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

Levi Fink 68 (Day 2, NJCAA Division II National Championships) (5-21-14)

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)

Elic Fjetland 69 (Waldorf Fall Invitational) (9-29-23)

Tim Castle 69 (The Verhille Invitational) (4-16-24)

Garrett Ham 69 (NIACC Fall Invitational) (9-17-24)