Minot State University golf coach Dwight "Chipper" Farrell remembers when former Carlyle resident Ben Edwards was a college rookie trying to crack the squad's top five.
A lot has changed in the past four years. In his final university golf season, the son of Heather Pontius captained his North Dakota school squad to a Dakota Athletic Conference championship. It was the fourth consecutive title Edwards helped the Beavers capture.
"As the only senior on either the men's or women's team he was thrust into the position of being the team leader," Farrell wrote in an email interview. "His leadership is what I will miss most, but he is also our best player and will leave a big hole in our lineup for next year."
Edwards capped his college career by earning a number of individual honours. He placed second in the DAC individual standings behind teammate Casey Gleich. Edwards and Gleich shared the DAC's Most Valuable Player award, while Edwards received the conference's Most Valuable Senior honour. As well, Edwards made the All-Conference team for the third straight year.
A long ball hitter, the 6-foot-4 Edwards is also known for his ability to get himself out of trouble. This college golf season, he won the Valley City State Invitational and placed second at the South Dakota Mines Invitational.
During his time at MSU, Edwards also did impressive work in the classroom. He will graduate with a triple major in just four years - not an easy feat, Farrell emphasized. Edwards majored in business, international business and marketing management.
Eileen Solberg served as his academic advisor. In an email interview, she wrote that, "Ben was a pleasure to visit with - positive attitude and energy every time we met, which I'm sure carried into the classroom."
Minot State could have his positive personality around for a whole longer. Farrell said Edwards is looking at going to grad school and is considering MSU. If that happens, the coach would like Edwards to be a graduate assistant coach. Minot State will be moving up from the NAIA level to NCAA Division II and Farrell believes Edwards could help with that transition.
Edwards got his start on the golf course back in Saskatchewan. His mom used to pay for his Carlyle Golf Club membership and his grandparents, O'Ray and Muriel Pontius, were always very encouraging. It was his grandfather who bought him his first set of clubs, taught him how to hold a club and how to swing it. He is very appreciative of his family's support over the years.
