Men's Golf | June 13

DeKALB, IL – Incoming NIU men's golf freshman Beau Petersen (Gretna, Neb.) earned his second consecutive Nebraska Junior Amateur Championship on Wednesday at Awarii Dunes Golf Club in Axtell, Neb., winning by one stroke with a 54-hole score of three-under par 213.
 
"I've played well at that course in the past and had a bunch of confidence going in," Petersen said. "I qualified for the US Junior there and had a good caddy on the bag so everything was set up really well for some success this week."
 
Petersen won the event last year with a score of five-under par. He entered this year's Nebraska Junior Amateur after tying for third at the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) Class D Boys' Golf Championship with an even par 144, two strokes behind the eventual individual champion.
 
"After the first round I felt like I played really well because the conditions were tough and windy. I left a few out there in the second round. I felt like I was due to win another tournament and I'm just glad I got the job done this week."
 
After an opening round 73 on Monday, Petersen made eight birdies in the second round Tuesday for a five-under par round of 67 that was the third-lowest scoring round of the week. Wednesday's final round was a battle between Petersen and Trevor Gutschewski, culminating on the final hole with Petersen needing a birdie to retain his title.
 
"We had to wait at the tee for five, 10 minutes so I just relaxed. I hit a good tee ball and a decent shot to the middle front of the green. I asked my caddy as I was standing over my five-foot putt if this was to win and he said yes. After Trevor missed his putt I knew I had my chance and just trusted what I had in the read and cashed it away."
 
Petersen is one of four incoming freshmen to join the NIU men's golf team for the 2024-25 season and looking forward to the year ahead.
 
"I'm just excited to get out on the course and build relationships with my new teammates and coaches and go win a conference title."
 
--NIU--