Mitchell, S.D. - The Comets Golf team opened their 2026 Spring season in Mitchell, S.D. for the DWU Spring Invitational. Both teams performed well for their first rounds outside.

Day 1 was 36 holes in very windy conditions. The men shot 304 and 306 Sunday which put them in 5^th place out of 10 teams. Satchel Tickel finished day 1 in 4^th place with a score of 72-75 with Erik Bjorndahl shooting 78-74.

On the Women's side, Gracie Kaczynski fired a personal best 95 in round 1, with Kaylee de Rocquigny adding a 98 in round 2 to pace the team.

Coach Murphy on Day 1 – "There were a lot of firsts today, first rounds outside, first rounds on actual greens and not turf, first time for the women's team playing 36 in one day. Everyone battled hard all day, and the scores were better than I expected. Gracie worked extremely hard this winter and the results appeared immediately, which was great to see!"

Day 2 was 18 holes in very pleasant conditions and scores improved. The men just missed tying the school record with a team total of 294, with Tickel, Michael Fechle and Masen Nowacki shooting a combined one over par for the day.

Kaczynski and de Rocquigny matched their scores from the day before for the Women's team.

"Both men's teams played good golf, all 10 players broke 85 and their short games are going to improve with more outside repetitions. Both Gracie and Kaylee were able to keep playing strong in their first 54 hole event. I'm excited to see what the next couple of weeks hold."

The Comets will go west to Dickinson, N.D. next weekend for the Blue Hawk Invitational.