Minneapolis, Michigan, September 9, 2025
News Summary
The college golf season has started with notable performances from Rutgers and Mizzou. Rutgers’ Jeffrey Zatorski clinched a stunning individual win at the Gopher Invitational, while the team secured 13th place overall. Mizzou began their season at the Folds of Honor Collegiate, finishing 10th after the first round, with freshman Reese Roberts leading the team. Both teams are expected to build on these early results as they head into upcoming tournaments.
Minneapolis
Rutgers kicks off fall in style while Mizzou settles in with steady play
College golf season has swung back into action and Rutgers made a splash at Windsong Farm Golf Club this past weekend. The Scarlet Knights opened their fall campaign at the Gopher Invitational and walked away with an attention-grabbing individual win, even if the team result left room to grow.
The big headline is the breakout performance by Jeffrey Zatorski, who closed out the Minnesota Golf Classic with a three-round total of 209, nine-under-par. His scorecard read 66, 71, 70 across the two-day test — a first collegiate victory that turned heads in Minneapolis. It wasn’t smooth sailing the whole way, but the win came down to staying composed and grinding through the tougher moments.
On the team side, Rutgers finished 13th out of 15 squads with a team score of +20, a result that doesn’t tell the full story about growing edges and competitive tests faced. Senior transfer Luke Koenig delivered a solid top-15 showing at +2, giving the roster a veteran spark. Other contributions came from sophomore Argyle Downes in 34th place at +6, freshmen Daniel Martinez-Regal and Lucas Politano tied for 38th at +7, and sophomore Bennett Espenshade rounding out team scoring in 73rd at +17.
The coaching staff walked away optimistic. Early-season ups and downs gave the team concrete takeaways to work on, and there’s belief that having an individual champion already adds momentum and confidence. The Scarlet Knights move north to Muskoka, Ontario next week for the Canadian Collegiate Invitational on September 14-15, where the lessons from Minneapolis will be put to the test.
Mizzou starts steady at Folds of Honor Collegiate
Meanwhile, action in Michigan saw Mizzou tee off in the 2025-26 season with a solid first round, posting a team position of 10th after 18 holes. Freshman Reese Roberts led the Tigers with a tidy 73, tying for 24th out of 75 golfers. Roberts made early noise by birdieing two holes — the 12th and the 5th — in his first collegiate match, a confident showing for a debutant.
Other Mizzou scores included sophomore Trent Mierl at 74, junior Bradley Mulder at 75, and Veikka Viskari carding a 76 on opening day. The Tigers were set to continue the tournament the following morning with an early tee time at 6:57 a.m. CT, aiming to climb the leaderboard over the remaining rounds.
Why these early tournaments matter
Early-season invitationals are about more than leaderboard positions. They’re a chance to test lineups, strengthen team chemistry, and see how newcomers handle pressure. For Rutgers, an individual title can galvanize a roster even if team finishes aren’t ideal. For Mizzou, consistent scoring through the lineup builds a platform to push upward over multiple rounds.
Both programs now have clear next steps: Rutgers heads to Canada to keep sharpening, and Mizzou looks to build off its opening 18 holes in Michigan. Golf fans should keep an eye on those names — the freshmen making noise and the veterans finding form — because a strong fall can set the tone for conference play and beyond.
Quick snapshot
- Event: Gopher Invitational at Windsong Farm Golf Club (Minneapolis)
- Rutgers team finish: 13th of 15, +20
- Individual winner: Jeffrey Zatorski, 209 (-9) — rounds 66-71-70
- Next for Rutgers: Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Muskoka, Ontario (Sept. 14-15)
- Mizzou: 10th after 18 holes at Folds of Honor Collegiate (Michigan); top scorer Reese Roberts 73
What to watch next
Look for Rutgers to tighten up team scoring and for Zatorski to keep the confidence rolling after his first collegiate victory. For Mizzou, watch how the lineup reacts to morning conditions as they try to climb the leaderboard over the next rounds. Early-season tournaments often foreshadow which teams will be in the hunt when conference tournaments roll around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who won the individual title at the Minnesota Golf Classic?
A: Jeffrey Zatorski captured the individual title with a three-round total of 209, nine-under-par, recording rounds of 66, 71 and 70.
Q: How did Rutgers finish as a team at the Gopher Invitational?
A: Rutgers finished 13th out of 15 teams with a team score of plus-20.
Q: Which Rutgers players finished inside the top 40?
A: Luke Koenig finished in the top 15 at plus-2, Argyle Downes finished 34th at plus-6, and Daniel Martinez-Regal and Lucas Politano tied for 38th at plus-7.
Q: What were the top results for Mizzou after 18 holes at the Folds of Honor Collegiate?
A: Mizzou was 10th after 18 holes. Freshman Reese Roberts led the team with a 73 (tied for 24th), followed by Trent Mierl (74), Bradley Mulder (75) and Veikka Viskari (76).
Q: When and where will Rutgers play next?
A: Rutgers will next play at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational in Muskoka, Ontario on September 14-15.
Quick Reference Table
| Team / Player | Event | Result | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers (team) | Gopher Invitational | 13th of 15, +20 | Canadian Collegiate Invitational (Muskoka), Sept. 14-15 |
| Jeffrey Zatorski | Minnesota Golf Classic | 209 (-9) — 66, 71, 70 | Continuing fall season with Rutgers |
| Mizzou (team) | Folds of Honor Collegiate | 10th after 18 holes | Remaining rounds following early tee time |
| Reese Roberts | Folds of Honor Collegiate | 73 — tied 24th, birdied 12 and 5 | Next rounds at the same event |
Bottom line: The fall is young and both squads showed promising signs — an individual title for Rutgers and steady depth for Mizzou. Expect adjustments, fresh lineups and a few surprise performances as the season ramps up.
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Additional Resources
- Scarlet Knights News
- Wikipedia: College Golf
- Mizzou Tigers News
- Google Search: Men’s Golf
- Gustavus Athletics News
- Google Scholar: Men’s Golf Teams
- Harding Sports News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- NSU Sharks News
- Google News: College Golf Season
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