SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Omaha junior Katie Ruge and South Dakota graduate student Max Schmidtke garnered the latest #SummitGF Peak Golfer of the Week accolades, League officials announced Thursday. Ruge claimed the weekly honor following her debut as a Maverick, while Schmidtke earned his second career honor.
In her first tournament donning Omaha colors, Ruge claimed medalist honors at the Payne Stewart Memorial hosted by Missouri State. The Kansas transfer shot three consecutive under-par rounds to win the event by seven strokes.
Ruge opened with a 69 (-2), followed with a 67 (-4) in her second loop, then closed the victory out with a third-round 70 (-1). The Omaha native made 14 birdies to lead the 67-player field in that category.
Schmidtke opened his 2024-25 season with back-to-back rounds of 66 (-5) for new Coyote head coach Chad Green. The Sheboygan, Wis., native had an eagle and four birdies in his first round and added six birdies in his second round.
Schmidtke tied for third in the 99-player field, leading the Coyotes to a seventh-place finish among 18 squads.
FEMALE PEAK GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Katie Ruge, Omaha
Jr. | Omaha, Neb.
- This is the first career weekly honor for Ruge
- Claimed medalist honors at the Payne Stewart Memorial in her debut for the Mavericks
- Posted three consecutive rounds under-par, including a second-round 67 (-4)
- Made 14 birdies in the three-round tournament, shooting a 54-hole total of 206 (-7) to win by seven strokes
Also nominated: Piper Stubbs (South Dakota State); Norah Roberts (North Dakota State); Kate Strickland (Oral Roberts); Isabelle Lynch (St. Thomas).
MALE PEAK GOLFER OF THE WEEK
Max Schmidtke, South Dakota
Gr. | Sheboygan, Wis.
- This is the second career weekly honor for Schmidtke
- Opened the SIUE Dolenc Invitational with back-to-back rounds of 66 (-5)
- Tied for third place with a career best 54-hole total of 205 (-8)
Also nominated: Matthew Wilson (Weber State).
2024-25 Peak Golfer Awards
Peak Golfer of the Week
Sept. 5
Female: Madi Hicks, North Dakota State
Male: Rylin Petry, North Dakota State
Sept. 12
Female: Katie Ruge, Omaha
Male: Max Schmidtke, South Dakota
#SummitGF
