News Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: May 11, 2026

Golf team advances to national tournament

Lake City, Minn. -

Left-right: Tony Pietrangelo, Sam Schachte, Alex Ruetten, Scott Kennedy, Coach; Isaac Scharpman, Aryn Lochen, and Lincoln Verhagen.

The Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Golf Team is returning to the national stage after capturing the NJCAA regional championship in dominant fashion earlier this week in Lake City, Minnesota.

Competing at The Jewel Golf Club under challenging tournament conditions, the Chargers separated themselves from the field with steady play, depth, and discipline, according to head coach and Golf Course Management instructor Scott Kennedy. “We played smart, we played consistent, and we had a game plan going in,” he said. “The players stuck to the game plan, and it worked.”

Kennedy said the team entered the tournament confident after strong performances throughout the season, including wins over nationally recognized programs. Still, he was surprised by the margin of victory. “I thought we were going to be more than competitive, but I didn’t think we would blow it open like that,” he said.

One of the most impressive aspects of the tournament, Kennedy noted, was the team’s depth. In collegiate golf, teams compete with five players while counting the best four scores each round. Southwest Tech was able to discard the opening-round score of its top player and still finish far ahead of the competition.

Regional medalist honors went to Alex Ruetten of Argyle, Wisconsin, who will compete individually and as part of the team at nationals. Other members of the national tournament roster include Tony Pietrangelo of West Bend, Wisconsin; Isaac Scharpman of Rochester, Minnesota; Sam Schachte of Fitchburg, Wisconsin; and Aryn Lochen of Bangor, Wisconsin. Linken Verhagen of Monticello, Iowa, will travel as an alternate.

The NJCAA National Tournament will be held June 2-5 in Chautauqua, New York. Kennedy said the team’s goal is to finish among the top five teams in the country. “I think we have the firepower to do it,” he said.