WINONA, Minn. — If Saint Mary's University senior Eric Thom (Portland, Ore.) had his way, every tournament the SMU men's golf team competed in would be played at the Northfield Country Club.

For the third straight year, Thom brought home the individual title at the Carleton Invitational Sunday afternoon, carding rounds of 72-75 for a three-over-par 147.

Thom's opening-round 72 was the 36-hole tournament's low 18-hole score, and bettered his best competitive round on the course by one shot. In six rounds across the 6,603-yard Northfield CC layout, Thom has not had a round higher than the five-over 77 he carded in his first appearance as a sophomore. During that sophomore season, Thom carded rounds of 77-73—150 to win his first Carleton title, then followed that up with a 74-73—147 performance a year ago.

Thom''s effort also helped the Cardinals to a third-place finish in the 10-team event. Nationally ranked St. John's and Gustavus finished one-two, Sunday, with the Johnnies posting a 614 total, while the Gusties came in at 634. SMU was five shots back of Gustavus at 639, followed by St. Olaf (648) and Macalester (649).

"It was just an awesome weekend for Eric," said SMU men's coach Tom Farren. "He played extremely well, and hopefully this will set him — and the team — up nicely for the (upcoming) MIAC tournament (in two weeks)."

Tom Johnston (St. Paul, Minn.) finished tied for 13th overall with his 161 total (81-80), while Mark Miller (Winona, Minn.) was tied for 16th at 163 (80-83). Curtis Nosal (Omaha, Neb. / 84-80—164) and D.J. Schweitzer (McHenry, Ill. / 83-82—165) rounded out SMU's top five.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF weekend for the SMU women's golf team.

Not in amount of golf played, since the Cardinals played 36 holes over two days, just like they have in each of their three previous weekends.

This time around, however, the Cardinals got in not one, but two tournaments during that two-day stretch — 18 holes in the one-day UW-River Falls Invitational, and 18 holes in the one-day Luther Invitational.

"It was a little different in that we didn't see the same course and the same teams two days in a row," said SMU coach Dan Messmann, whose team placed fourth in the sixth-team UW-RF Invite on Friday, then placed 11th in the 14-team Luther Invite on Saturday. "I wouldn't say our scores were great, but I think we are headed in the right direction.

"Our main goal is still two weeks away," Messmann continued, referring to the MIAC Championships Oct. 4-5 on the Cardinals' home course. "Everything we do now is to get us ready for those two days."

The Cardinals got a sneak peak at most of the MIAC field in the two tournaments, as SMU went up against Carleton and Augsburg on Friday, then saw Carleton, St. Olaf and Macalester on Saturday.

Andrea Hanke (Janesville, Wis.) was SMU's low scorer in both tournaments, shooting a 96 at River Falls, and a 91 at Luther. Dani Lynch (Williston, N.D.) was the Cardinals' No. 2 golfer in both meets with scores of 100 at River Falls and 91 at Luther.

"Our scores were a little high, but most of the ladies were playing the courses for the first time," said Messmann. "Fortunately, over the last two weeks (of the season) we play both tournaments on our home course, which will, hopefully, work to our advantage."