VERMILLION, S.D. – The South Dakota men's golf team kicks off its 2019-20 season participating in something new as the team heads to Fargo, North Dakota.
 
The Coyotes will take part a four-team match play event hosted by North Dakota State with a first-round date against Omaha followed by either the third-place match or championship match.
 
"We are excited to get our fall season underway on Monday," said second-year coach John Vining. "We are starting our season off at a Match Play event, hosted by NDSU. The last time we played in a Match Play format was in 2012. The guys are excited for the opportunity we have up in Fargo."
 
South Dakota, coming off a runner-up finish at the Summit League championships in the spring, lost just one senior to graduation in Tommy Vining. However, Tate Arends, who averaged 74.06 during his sophomore season, is currently sidelined with an injury.
 
"The start of the year always brings new excitement," said coach Vining. "With the loss of Tommy Vining to graduation and Tate Arends (injury) we have some significant shoes to fill. We are going to see some new faces in the lineup this year and I am confident they are going to be ready to go and make a significant impact on our success."
 
Matt Tolan, one of three seniors on the nine-man roster, is the top scorer returning from last year for Coach Vining's club. Tolan averaged 74 strokes per 18 holes while playing 33 rounds. His next round will be his 100^th of his Coyote career.
 
Two more veterans back in the lineup include senior Scott Fudenberg and junior Jacob Michel. Fudenberg and Michel each played in 30 rounds a year ago and averaged 74.87 and 75.07 strokes per 18 holes, respectively.
 
Holdovers Ben Hicks, Justin Kolb and Hunter Paugh are battling for time in the lineup while newcomers to the squad this year are freshmen Ian Johnston and John Fischer.
 
"I am really excited to see our upperclassmen step up and be leaders in this program," said Vining. "One of my main goals this year will be to challenge them more to lead and serve the guys within the program. This will allow our program to continue the momentum we have in becoming a consistent contender within the Summit League."
 
A total of five events are on the fall slate while the spring will get underway in mid-February all leading towards the Summit League Championships in Newton, Kansas on May 3-5.