With a lackluster regular season behind them, the Austin boys' golf team had to be looking forward to Monday's Big Nine Conference tournament.

The Packers, finishing 3-7 overall and 3-6 in the league, hosted Monday's Big Nine meet at the Austin Country Club coming off their season-best team score from the previous Friday.

What a difference a weekend makes.

Austin shot its season-worst team score of 354 -- 31 strokes more than the last meet -- in finishing last out of 10 teams Monday afternoon.

"We didn’t accomplish our goals today," said Austin coach Corey Haugen. "We wanted to finish in the top five but we fell apart after the guys made the turn. We were running with the pack after the first nine holes."

Only senior Adam Plotts shot better than 85, carding an 83 to lead the team. He was named All-Conference based on his regular-season scoring average of 78.6 in Big Nine meets.

Troy Hoefflin rebounded from an off-day by shooting an 86, Jon Bain added a 91 and Ben Meyer chipped in with a 94. Matt Ball's round of 95 and Chad Peterson's 102 did not count towards Austin's final score.

"The last nine holes is what destroyed us today," Coach Haugen said. "Usually the guys find the groove after the first nine, but today was different. The course just got the best of us today.

"It is tough to take being our home course, but we have shrugged it off and are focusing our attention towards the section meet."

Austin's team goals this season include getting four contributing scores 80 or better, or simply shooting a team score of 320 or better. The Packers will have to accomplish those goals if they intend on advancing through the first round of the postseason. Section 1AA preliminaries will be held Thursday in Winona.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.

Results:

At Austin Country Club (par 36-36--72)

Team standings -- 1. Century 312, 2. Albert Lea 315, 3. Faribault 320, 4. Mankato West 320, 5. Mankato East 321, 6. Rochester Mayo 331, 7. Owatonna 336, 8. Winona 336, 9. Rochester John Marshall 338, 10. Austin 354.

Medalist -- Mike Fiedler (F) 37-37--74.

AUSTIN (354) -- Adam Plotts 83, Troy Hoefflin 86, Jon Bain 91, Ben Meyer 94, Matt Ball 95, Chad Peterson 102.