As it turned out, that had been the only top-10 finish of Mikalsen’s senior season — until Tuesday, that is.
Mikalsen (pictured) tied for ninth indvidually Tuesday at the Men’s Summit League Championship in Newton, Kan., but it took a big-time late-round rally to do it.
The Norwegian was 5 over par through his first 10 holes of the final round, but quickly did a 180. He played his final seven holes in 5 under par and birdied each of his last three to earn a top-10 showing. Mikalsen posted an eventful even-par 72 to check in at 3-over-par 219, five strokes behind champion Grant Smith of South Dakota State.
Also placing in the top 15 for DU Tuesday was junior Chris Korte, the 2015 CGA Amateur champion, who finished 12th at 220 after a closing 73. Korte also finished strong, playing his final nine holes in 3 under par.
As a team, DU ended up sixth in the nine-team field.
Men’s Summit League Championship
May 1-2, 2017 (final) in Newton, Kan.
6. (out of 9 teams) Denver 305-296-287–888
9. Petter Mikalsen 73-74-72–219
12. Chris Korte 78-69-73–220
27. Jake Kelley 78-77-71–226
27. Eric Hagen 79-76-71–226
33. Isaac Petersilie 76-77-74–227
The 2015 CGA Stroke Play champion shot a 1-under-par 71 on Monday, giving him a 1-under 143 total, good for a one-stroke lead over Felipe Strobach of South Dakota State. Korte made three birdies and two bogeys on the day.
In the team competition, DU slipped into a tie for seventh place in the nine-team event. At 35-over-par 611, the Pioneers trail leader South Dakota State by 27 shots.
The final round of the Summit League tournament will be held Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the field was set Monday for the women’s NCAA Division III Championships, and top-ranked Rhodes College in Memphis, which features former Colorado 5A girls high school champion Mackenzie Cohen, will head the field. The national tournament is set for May 10-13 in Houston. Rhodes recently won its third consecutive Southern Athletic Association Championship.
Men’s Summit League Championship
May 1-3, 2016 in Newton, Kan.
7. (out of 9 teams) Denver 306-305–611
1. Chris Korte 72-71–143; 13. Jake Kelley 75-75–150; 38. Adam Ruben 81-77–158; 40. Arti Edelman 78-82–160; 45. Michael Boylan 82-84–166.
Men’s NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional
May 2-4, 2016 in Las Cruces, N.M.
7. (out of 20 teams) Colorado-Colorado Springs 293
15. Colin Prater 72; 15. Kyle Southard 72; 37. Zach Berhost 74; 52. Zach Tripp 75; 95. Chris Reina 79.
9. Regis 296
23. Sam McKay 73; 23. Grant Gavin 73; 52. Matt Robertson 75; 52. Jordan McBrayer 75; 74. Jack Savage 77.
16. Colorado Christian 301
23. Luke Condon 73; 37. Nathaniel Goddard 74; 65. Sean Kato 76; 88. Matthew Goddard 78; 105. Andrew Kennedy 80.
Also
23. Nick Berry, Colorado School of Mines 73
23. George Markham, Colorado School of Mines 73
74. Jacob Allenback, Colorado State-Pueblo 77
Women’s NCAA Division II Super Region 4
May 2-4, 2016 in Stockton, Calif.
14. Cha Cha Willhoite, Metro State 74
23. Allie Johnston, Metro State 75