Weber State University’s men’s golf team began its 2024 fall season on Sept. 9 at the two-day Dolenc Invitational at Gateway National Golf Links in Madison, Illinois. Gateway National is 6,964 yards and is a 54-hole course. After a slow start on the first day, the Wildcats bounced back with a strong second day to finish the Invitational at No. 9 of 16 universities.
The Wildcats struggled in the opening 18 holes, posting a 12-over-par 296 on the par-71 course, which left the team in 15th place. However, the Wildcats had an improved performance in the afternoon, shooting an 8-under-par 276, the fourth-best score of the round, moving the ‘Cats five spots up on the leaderboard.
Freshman Matthew Wilson led the way for Weber State in his collegiate debut. He opened with a 1-over-par 72 before shooting a 5-under-par 66 in the second round and a 1-under-par 70 to finish off the invite. Wilson’s three-round total of 208 leaves him at 5-under-par overall to finish sixth place.
Another debut for the Wildcats, sophomore transfer Bobby Kincaid IV finished 37th as an individual. Kincaid shot a 2-over-par 73 in the opening round but found his rhythm in the afternoon, firing a 4-under-par 67. On the last round, Kincaid shot a 6-over-par with a total of 4-over-par 217 at the invitational.
Sophomore Cormack Goecke showed consistency with back-to-back opening rounds of 74, placing him in 56th place overall on the first day. On the second day, Goecke shot a two-over-par 73 for a 221 total to finish in 54th.
Junior Ty Anderson, the only returning Wildcat from last season’s squad, had a tough start with an opening round 81. However, he bounced back in the afternoon with a 2-under-par 69, moving him up to 68th place. On the second day, Anderson shot a three-over-par 74 to finish with a total of 224 and in 66th place.
Freshman Luke Smith rounded out the lineup for Weber State, shooting rounds of 77 and 75 for a total of 152. Smith finished the first day in 79th place but shot an 11-over-par 82 on the second day to finish with 234 and finished the tournament in 91st place.
The Wildcats’ next invitational is on Sept. 21 at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
