Van Wyk leads AU in opening round of Badger Invitational; Vajda gets hole-in-one
By Preston Hall | Sports writer
The Augusta University men’s golf team finished the first day of the 2021 Badger Invitational tied for 11th at the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona, Wis., on Sunday, Sept. 26.
As a team, AU was 10 over par on the par-72, 7,259-yard 18-hole layout. The team had strong performances from junior Alex Van Wyk, who shot even par and was in 14th place, and sophomore Wilhelm C. Berg Von Linde, who shot a 2-over-par 74 to finish tied for 36th place.
AU freshman CJ Van Wyk and sophomore Jack Vajda both shot 76 to end the round tied for 40th. AU freshman Gareth Steyn had a first-round 79.
Augusta does have one player playing as an independent this week in sophomore Dawson Booth, who submitted his score card after day one with a 79.
Magic does happen on the golf course, sometimes in the form of lucky bounces or great rollouts, and Jaguar sophomore Jack Vajda had some magic up his sleeve as he got his first hole-in-one, on hole No. 8.
Playing at 207 yards, the par-3 hole was set up for the sophomore to get his first ace.
AU will start the second round Monday, Sept. 27, when the Jaguars hit the tees paired with Coastal Carolina and Abilene Christian.
After Sunday’s opening round, Sam Houston was in first place, followed by Illinois State and Iowa State. There are 14 teams in the field.
Contact Preston Hall at prhall@augusta.edu.
