Benson Wins Season-Opening Augsburg Invitational

HAM LAKE, Minn. (9/03/23)---Sophomore Gabe Benson carded the second lowest score in program history in the final round of the Augsburg Invitational and won individual champion honors by five shots.

Benson's bogey free, 6-under 66 helped the Cobbers finish in third place in the opening event of the season. Concordia posted a score of 296 on Day 2 at Majestic Oaks GC and finished the tournament with a total of 598. He ended the two days with eight birdies, which was the most by any competitor in the meet.   

The individual medalist honor is the first of his career. Benson only had one bogey in the two rounds of the event. His 7-under final total of 137 (71-66) is the lowest of his career and tied for the lowest 2-round total in program history (Gage Stromme fired a 137 to win the Minn.-Crookston Invite in 2019).

Benson won the tournament with his four-straight straight birdie stretch from holes 7-10 on Sunday. He played the three Par 4s and one Par 3 in 11 strokes. Benson opened the 2023 season by shooting a 1-under 71 on Saturday. He carded two birdies and a single bogey in his first round.

Senior Ryan Jenson, who was playing as an individual for the tournament, was the No.2 finisher for CC over the weekend. He opened with a 75 and came home in 79 to shoot a 154 and tie for 23rd place.

Jayce Johnson and Landon Olson tied for the No.3 spot for the Cobbers. Johnson posted a 1-over 73 on Saturday and then dropped to a 79 on Sunday. Olson's 2-round scoring total was the mirror image of Johnson, as he went out in 81 and then closed with a 74.

Freshman Jack Hanson was the most consistent of the seven Concordia golfers at the meet. He posted identical scores of 78 and finished in a tie for 30th place in his very first college tournament.

UP NEXT: Concordia will be back in the Twin Cities next weekend when they compete in the Bethel Invitational at Pioneer Creek GC on Sept. 9-10.