Schaeffer cranks up his game to claim title at Minn. meet

BROOKINGS, S.D. — Matthew Schaeffer is making the most of his time living life on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2018 Cedar Catholic graduate and golfer, recently took advantage of his ability to get back on the course and along with his South Dakota State University teammates, helped the Jackrabbits to a showcase win as well as taking the top individual prize on June 10 in Alexandria, Minnesota and the Geneva Golf Club.

“Matthew is a tremendous young man and is very dedicated to the game of golf,” his high school coach Mike Johnson said. “Matthew picked up a golf club for the first time the summer of his freshman year and that work started paying dividends during his junior and senior years. He was in the top five individually at almost every meet and helped our team to tournament victories.

“I am very proud of everything that he has accomplished so far, and I look forward to following his career at SDSU.”

Schaeffer golfed the one-day, 18-hole tournament among six schools and scored a 72, one-under par, taking the top spot by two shots.

Not bad for a second go on the course since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Earlier, he finished 16th out of 50 at a similar event played earlier in the month. He has golfed three times competitively so far this summer.

“It was just some things they set up to let the kids play,” Schaeffer said. “It felt good. It’s been a long time since I had gotten out and played competitive golf. It had been almost three months. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I went out and got to play again.”

Schaeffer was apprehensive at first since he had not competed in so long and had only a few practice sessions under his belt.

“I ended up hitting it pretty well and everything was pretty good,” Schaeffer said. “Coming out of it I would say I was pretty pleased.”

Having his first year at SDSU cut short – he transferred in from Northeast Nebraska Community College after his freshman year – it was a big deal to get some confidence going forward.

“It’s big being able to play competitively because it really keeps you going and consistent so when it’s time to come back for the school season there won’t be as much rust,” Schaeffer said. “I felt pretty good when I started, and I really liked it up there. I enjoyed everything school, the team and our coaches a lot. I struggled a little with my golf game at the beginning of the year but was starting to figure it out.

“I am looking forward to getting back there and start again.”

Schaeffer hopes to keep a busy summer schedule with some more tournament play including the state amateur tournament and the South Dakota amateur event.

“It’s going to be hard to tell what’s all going to happen, but going in I just want to basically do what I’ve always wanted to: Be able to play as good a golf as I can and to be able to practice and see how good I can get,” Schaeffer said. “Everyone there is really good in college golf. I would like to qualify for the tournaments that we go to and have good finishes. I’d love to win one and with that, some good team finishes as well.”