The DU men’s golf team struggled to an 11th place finish at the Gopher Invitaional this past weekend in Wayazata, Minn.

Playing a difficult course in which only three players in the 66-man field finished under par, the Pioneers shot a 54 hole score of 939, finishing 50 shots out of first place.

Senior Charlie Soule turned in a strong performance for the Pioneers, finishing in a six-way tie for 11th place by shooting 76-74-75 (225).

Next on the team was junior Scott Tashie, who joined Soule as the only Pioneers to finish in the top half of the field, with 15 over par score of 231, good for 32nd place.

Sophomore Daniel Wax, freshman Espen Kofstad and sophomore Chris Gillman filled out the starting lineup, finishing 57th, 60th and 65th, respectively.

The University of Stanford took home the title by beating tournament host Minnesota by five shots.

Colt Knost of Southern Methodist University and Zack miller of Stanford tied for individual medalist honors.

Despite a disappointing performance this past week, head coach Eric Hoos believes that this year’s team will be much improved from the team that saw a great deal of success last season.

“I feel that we are much more experienced and deeper than we were a year ago,” Coach Hoos said of his team. “We have many more players that can contribute this year. Overall, we are better.”

Last season the Pioneers finished in the top five an impressive seven times, including a win at the Fresno State Lexus Golf Classic and an invitation to the NCAA Regional Tournament.

The team looks to do even better despite losing one of the best players in school history, James Love.

“Obviously, losing Love hurts,” Hoos said. “But, we are deeper now in our three through seven spots on the team, and I think that makes up for it.”

With the loss of Love, an All-American last year, the Pioneers will rely heavily on the consistently stellar play of Soule, who finished in the top 25 individually in all but one tournament a year ago, winning twice.

Along with Soule, junior Scott Tashie and sophomore Chris Gillman will make up a strong top of the lineup for the Pioneers, but, as Coach Hoos pointed out, the fourth and fifth players in the lineup will be crucial to the team’s success.

“We know that Charlie will play well,” said Hoos. “But we need our four and five men to step up. We have to have consistency from top to bottom in order to be successful.”

The Pioneers will look to improve their play this weekend at the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.