GOODYEAR, Ariz. --- The Minnesota State men's golf team opened its spring schedule with an eighth place finish at the Desert Classic.

The two-round Desert Classic was held at the par-72 Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, Ariz. As a team, Minnesota State finished eighth in the team standings with scores of 294-302--596 (+20). Pittsburg State (283-297—580) and Washburn (279-301—580) both finished +4 overall to finish in a tie for first in the team standings.

Six players finished the Desert Classic tied for first at -2 including Concordia-St. Paul's Carson Boe, Pittsburg State's Mason White, Benedictine-Mesa's Eric Klutke, Ottawa's Olivier Van Goor and Rockhurst's Bryce Renz and Kingston Solomon.
I'm happy with how our guys started," head coach Alex Schmitz said. "Unfortunately we need to finish better to keep ourselves in the tournament."

Junior Karson Patten and sophomore Michael Johnson both finished in a tie for 15th place at +2. Patten recorded a 72 during the second round that included five birdies, while Johnson notched a 73 that included two birdies.

Senior Hogan Ordal shot a 77 in round two to finish his tournament in 37th place at +6. Ordal recorded a pair of birdies on the final day. Junior Jack Schrader notched an 80 in round to finish at +14 for the event, while freshman Paul Rezko posted an 87 to finish at +17.

Freshman Sam Swavely competed independently as he notched a 77 in round two to finish the event in 44th place at +9.

15. Karson Patten – 74-72—146 (+2)
15. Michael Johnson – 73-73—146 (+2)
37. Hogan Ordal – 73-77—150 (+6)
64. Jack Schrader – 78-80—158 (+14)
73. Paul Rezko – 74-87—161 (+17)
44. Sam Swavely (Ind.) – 76-77—153 (+9)

Minnesota State continues its season on March 23-24 as it competes in the NSIC Men's Conference Preview at the Paradise Point Golf Complex in Smithville, Mo.