Men's Golf

DU's Griggs, NDSU's Simonich, ORU's Bell collect September TicketSmarter Peak Golfer of the Month honors

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –Denver’s Carson Griggs, NDSU’s Ian Simonich and Oral Roberts’ Sarah Bell were honored as the Summit League’s September TicketSmarter Peak Golfers of the Month, league officials announced Thursday. All three honorees registered a tournament victory during the opening month of the collegiate golf season.

Griggs compiled a league-best 69.8 stroke average and a trio of top-15 finishes during three tournaments in September. He capped the month with his first collegiate victory, shooting a 205 (-11) at the William H. Tucker Invitational hosted by New Mexico.

The Sand Springs, Okla., native carded a second-round 64 (-8) and capped the victory with a 67 (-5), which was his sixth round of par or better during the month. He also tied for 13th at the Gene Miranda Invitational (214; -2) and tied for 11th at the Ram Masters Invitational (209; -1).

Simonich posted four top-20 finishes and a 70.6 stroke average during four tournaments in September.

The Moorhead, Minn., native shared medalist honors at the NDSU Fall Invitational with a two-round total of 138 (-6) and capped his month with a runner-up finish in the 81-man field at the Zach Johnson Invitational, posting a 207 (-6). His efforts helped the Bison to team titles at both of those events.

He finished the month with eight rounds of par or better, including four rounds in the 60’s. Simonich also placed 10th at the K-State Invitational with a 215 (-1).

Bell led all Summit League golfers with a 71.0 stroke average while posting a top-15 finish at the Coeur d’Alene Collegiate before repeating as the champion at the Johnie Imes Invitational. It marked the second consecutive year that Bell won the league’s September monthly golfing honor.

After opening with an even-par 72, Bell fired a 67 (-5) in a second round that included seven birdies. The Jackson, Mo., native would post four rounds of par or better during the month. She tied for 11th in Idaho with a 214 (+1) total.

FEMALE PEAK GOLFER OF THE MONTH
Sarah Bell, Oral Roberts
Gr. | Jackson, Mo.
  • Won the Johnie Imes Invitational for the second consecutive year
  • Led all league golfers with a 71.0 stroke average in September
  • Posted par or better in four of six rounds, including season-low 67 (-5)
  • This is the second career Summit League monthly honor for Bell
Also nominated: Anna Zanusso (Denver); Leah Skaar (North Dakota State); Alex Kandolin (South Dakota State); Emersyn Walker (North Dakota); Emily Karmazin (Omaha).

CO-MALE PEAK GOLFERS OF THE MONTH
Carson Griggs, Denver
Gr. | Sand Springs, Okla.
  • Picked up first collegiate victory at the William H. Tucker Invitational
  • Led all league golfers with a 69.8 stroke average in September
  • Posted three top-15 finishes and recorded six rounds of par or better
  • This is the first career Summit League monthly accolade for Griggs
Ian Simonich, North Dakota State
So. | Moorhead, Minn.
  • Shared medalist honors at the NDSU Fall Invitational, helping Bison to the team title
  • Tied for second at the Zach Johnson Invitational, guiding Bison to second team title of September
  • Eight of 11 rounds during September were par or better resulting in a 70.6 stroke average
  • This is the first career Summit League monthly accolade for Simonich
 Also nominated: Lane Wallace (Oral Roberts); .Matthew Schaefer (South Dakota State); Grayson Wetch (North Dakota); Mathew Halvorson (Omaha).
 
2022-23 Peak Golfers of the Month
September
Female: Sarah Bell, Oral Roberts
Co-Male: Carson Griggs, Denver
Co-Male: Ian Simonich, North Dakota State

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