SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A trio of underclassmen made up the latest honorees taking home TicketSmarter #SummitGF Male and Female Peak Golfer of the Week accolades, League officials announced Monday. South Dakota State sophomore McKenzie Mages and North Dakota State freshman Norah Roberts shared the female honor, while St. Thomas freshman Gavin Newkirk claimed the male honor.
Mages won the WIU Intercollegiate by two strokes to earn her first career honor, while Roberts finished runner up at the GolfWeek/AGT Intercollegiate to tally her first recognition as well. Newkirk garnered his first career weekly nod after finishing sixth at the RedHawk Invitational at Chambers Bay.
Mages carded three consecutive rounds of 73 (+2) at the TPC Deere Run, which is home to a PGA Tour event each summer. She claimed medalist honors for the first time in her career with a 54-hole total of 219 (+6) as she led the Jackrabbits to a 40-stroke victory in the team standings.
Roberts turned in the best tournament of her young career, opening with a 69 (-2) and closing with an even-par 71 (E) to finish runner-up in the 104-player field in South Carolina. She finished just a stroke behind Coastal Carolina’s Hannah Karg (139; -3).
Newkirk posted a number of career bests out in the Pacific Northwest, shooting a 54-hole total of 209 (-4), including his first two collegiate rounds in the 60’s. He carded a 69 (-2) in round two before posting six birdies to close with a career-best 68 (-3).
CO-FEMALE PEAK GOLFERS OF THE WEEK
McKenzie Mages, South Dakota State
So. | Sioux Falls, S.D.
- This is the first career weekly honor for Mages
- Earned her first collegiate victory at the WIU Intercollegiate winning the event by two strokes
- Carded a 73 (+2) in all three rounds of the event at the TPC at Deere Run, finishing with a 54-hole total of 219 (+6)
Norah Roberts, North Dakota State
Fr. | Caledonia, Wash.
- This is the first career weekly honor for Roberts
- Finished runner-up at the rain-shortened Golfweek/AGT Intercollegiate, carding a career best 36-hole total of 140 (-2), which also set a NDSU two-round scoring mark
- Opened the event with a career-low 69 (-2) and closed with a 71 (E)
Also nominated: N/A.
MALE PEAK GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Gavin Newkirk, St. Thomas
Fr. | Batavia, Ill.
- This is the first career weekly honor for Newkirk
- Placed sixth at the RedHawk Invitational at Chambers Bay, carding a career best 209 (-4) to garner the first top-10 finish of his career
- After opening with a 72 (+1), posted a pair of rounds in the 60’s, including a closing 68 (-3), which featured six birdies and was the lowest round of his rookie season
Also nominated: Joe Rohlwing (South Dakota).
2023-24 Peak Golfer Awards
Peak Golfer of the Week
Feb. 9
Female: Anna Zanusso, Denver
Male: Kevin An, Oral Roberts
Feb. 19
Female: Kathryn VanArragon, St. Thomas
Male: Presten Richardson, Oral Roberts
Feb. 26
Female: Nicole Hansen, Omaha
Male: Max Schmidtke, South Dakota
Mar. 4
Female: Avery Blake, Oral Roberts
Male: Jake Skarperud, North Dakota State
Mar. 14
Female: Anna Zanusso, Denver
Male: Bryson Mercier, South Dakota State
Mar. 18
Female: Piper Stubbs, South Dakota State
Male: Matthew Armstrong, St. Thomas
Mar. 25
Female: Avery Blake Oral Roberts
Male: Jackson Drake, Oral Roberts
April 1
Female: Cristina Riu, Oral Roberts
Male: Jack Johnson, North Dakota State
April 8
Co-Female: McKenzie Mages, South Dakota State
Co-Female: Norah Roberts, North Dakota State
Male: Gavin Newkirk, St. Thomas
Peak Golfers of the Month
September
Female: Cristina Riu, Oral Roberts
Male: Nate Adams, North Dakota State
October
Female: Kathryn VanArragon, St. Thomas
Male: Luke Honner, South Dakota State
FanMaker
Enter the promocode
HoleInOne within the Fan Rewards section of the Summit League app for 200 reward points! If you don't have the free app, download now at thesummitleague.org/app.
#SummitGF
