EDINA, Minn. – No. 24 Gustavus men's golf began the 2024 MIAC Championships Saturday morning, teeing off at Braemar Golf Course (par 72) for the first round of the conference tournament. The Gusties are in fifth through round one as a team, carding a 10-over 298. The Gusties are just one shot behind a trio of teams tied for second, as Bethel, Concordia, and Saint John's all posted a nine-over 297 in round one. Carleton is leading the field with a 292, five shots ahead of second and six ahead of the Gusties. 

Individually, Teddy Kaste (Sr., Apple Valley) is the early highlight, as the senior is making the most of his final conference tournament, tied for first after round one with a one-under par 71. Carleton's Ryan Choi shares the top spot with Kaste on the leaderboard, as the two were the only athletes to shoot in the red on Saturday. Concordia's Jack Hanson and Bethel's Jacob Ferrin aren't far behind, both posting an even 72 to tie for the next best score. 

Through his first 18, Kaste carded four birdies, including a three-shot birdie on his first hole. Behind Kaste for the Gusties is Chris Gutuza (Jr., Johannesburg, South Africa) who posted a one-over 73 for fifth. Gutuza had three late birdies to make up ground on the back-nine and help Kaste and the Gusties to their 298. Blake Forrest (So., Maple Grove) is tied for 22nd, carding a four-over 76 on Saturday. Forrest added a four-shot birdie on day one. Behind Forrest is Wyatt Carlson (Jr., Wayzata) and Pelayo Perez Crespo (Jr., Sotogrande, Spain), each tied for 29th with a six-over 78. Carlson had a four-shot birdie on hole six, followed by a three-shot eagle on hole 16, while Perez Crespo carded a pair of birdies en route to his 78.

Day one leader Carleton has four athletes in the top 10 to lead the field, two of which have three-shot eagles on day one. The remainder of the top championship spots are comprised of athletes from Bethel, Concordia, and Saint John's. Forrest is just one shot out of a tie for 13th and two out of the top 10, while Carlson and Perez Crespo have four shots to make up to crack the top 10 of the leaderboard. 

"I think we had a really good game plan today, we saw the golf course for our practice round in similar conditions," said Head Coach Scott Moe '95. "We didn't take advantage of two of the par fives that were downwind, and we need to be a little sharper on the greens. After our work following the round today, I think we will certainly be sharper tomorrow. It was a great round by Teddy, he even had a few other opportunities that he could have capitalized on, but a great start nonetheless. Chris had a solid day as well. The way the hole locations are set up for this event, pars are going to be really good scores, so we need to be patient and effective on the greens. Looking forward to all five of our guys having a solid round tomorrow."

Carlson will be the first Gustie to tee off tomorrow at 11:50 a.m. at Braemar. The Gusties are paired with athletes from Bethel and St. Olaf on day two, while the top three of Carleton, Concordia, and Saint John's will tee off at 12:40.