The Rutgers men’s golf team has started the season strong, finishing fifth at the Gopher Invitational in Minnesota, with standout performances and promising prospects for the year ahead.
Senior Noah Kumar made a triumphant return, finishing second individually in a challenging field finishing with total score of 209, consisting of rounds of 69, 72, and 68.. As a newly named captain, Kumar’s performance sets a positive tone for the rest of the season.
Kumar’s return to the team after taking time off has been nothing short of inspiring. Reflecting on his journey, head coach Rob Shutte expressed his admiration for Kumar’s resilience and talent. His performance was a key factor in the team’s overall fifth-place finish, with Rutgers ending the two-day event with a combined score of 869 (292-287-290).
“Seeing the guy who needed to take time off and get right, it’s just awesome to see, right? He’s such a talented player,” Shutte said. “For him to come back in his final year and get this total finish to the experience, it’s incredible. He finished in a tough field and tough setup.”
Kumar also shared his excitement about being back on the course.
“It’s great to be back and have the opportunity to play college golf. I’m excited to be back with a great schedule and great tournaments,” Kumar said.
The team’s fifth-place finish at the Gopher Invitational highlighted its depth and potential. Shutte was pleased with how the entire squad contributed to this impressive result.
“Everyone got two out of three roughs and contributed at least two rounds. Such talented players,” Shutte said. “To have two freshmen who have never played before and for them to contribute is great. The whole setup and conditions were some of the hardest you’ll see all year. Last year, the balls were disappearing.”
Kumar’s success was complemented by a team effort, showcasing the collective strength of the Scarlet Knights.
Reflecting on some of his favorite moments from the tournament, Kumar mentioned a critical shot on the 15th hole that proved to be a turning point.
“Today on the 15th hole, I faced a huge momentum shifter to get out of a bad position. There were a lot of good holes, but I felt like I gave myself an opportunity,” Kumar said. “When I thought the ball was dead, but it got out, that was a big moment.”
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