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BEMIDJI -- Ben Corbid was describing his game, but his sentiment is also befitting of how he approached whether or not to play college golf for another year: “Indecision is never a good thing,” he said.
Corbid, now a fifth-year on the Bemidji State men’s golf team, has returned to the Beavers for one last run at a championship. He called it an easy decision to come back, and he’s getting his chance as the fall season ramps up.
“I just want another shot at the conference title,” Corbid said. “It’s all about the one goal of winning the rings.”
Corbid did all he could on Monday and Tuesday as the Beavers hosted the BSU Invite at the Bemidji Town and Country Club. Corbid fired a 4-under-par 67 on Monday, tying the program record for a round, and finished tied for fifth overall with a two-round score of 142 (67-75).
As a whole, Bemidji State placed sixth of 11 teams, largely in part to Corbid’s efforts.
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“It’s really meaningful to us when you have a fifth-year player come back,” BSU head coach Ekren Miller said. “To see (Corbid) as a senior captain, leading the team in the tournament, it’s just so rewarding.”
Corbid is one of two fifth-years on the roster, pairing with TJ Raden for that distinction. But with five freshmen and 15 total on the roster, it’s a cutthroat time to be a Beaver.
“We have a lot of guys who can play into the top five spots,” Miller said. “It’s really good in the long run. I think it’s a little unsettling now for some of the guys because they have to earn their spot every tournament. But… golf is such a game of confidence. When you can play into that, you can play with more confidence.”
That was evidenced by the tournament’s scores. While the top Bemidji State team fired a 593, the B team shot a 594 -- just one stroke back.
“We all want to be out here,” Corbid said. “Odds are, if you don’t want to be here, you’re not going to be any good and you’re not going to play anyway. But staying out here and having good camaraderie with the guys makes it more fun, and it’s enjoyable to put in the long days and a bunch of hours on the range.”
After Corbid, Rylin Petry tied for eighth overall (72-71=143) for BSU’s top team, while Seth Schricker tied for 40th (79-76=155). Jack Southard tied for 45th (75-81=156) and Gus Vatnsdal tied for 50th (76-82=158), rounding out the team score.
On the Beavers’ second team, Tate Usher clinched a share of 16th place by firing a 147 (76-71), while Logan Schoepp (76-73) and Caden Lick (74-75) tied for 19th with their 149s. Koby Kuenzel (tie for 28th, 76-75=151), Raden (tie for 32nd, 74-78=152) and Alex Iverson (tie for 58th, 84-80=164) closed out the scores.
“I’m seeing breakthroughs in different ways with different players, and that’s what we go for,” Miller said. “This year, I still believe we are a top team. We want a conference title, and we want to go to the Super Region and even make a run for nationals. I think this team can do that.”
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Concordia-St. Paul won the invite with a two-day score of 565, which was 22 strokes better than second-place Minnesota Crookston. CSP’s Brandon Sperling captured medalist honors with his 135 (68-67).
Bemidji State returns to the links for the Northeastern Oklahoma State Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 19-20, in Muskogee, Okla.
Team Results
1-Concordia-St. Paul 565; 2-Minnesota Crookston 587; T3-Minnesota State 589; T3-Winona State 589; 5-Concordia Moorhead 591; 6-Bemidji State 593; 7-Bemidji State B 594; 8-Augustana 595; 9-Concordia-St. Paul B 589; 10-Minot State 618; 11-U-Mary 627.
