NORTHFIELD, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's golf team kicks off its season Saturday, as the Cardinals travel to the Northfield Golf Club for an 18-hole dual match against Carleton. A day later, the Cardinals will head to Hudson, Wis., for their second 18-dual match of the season, this time against Macalester at Troy Burne Golf Course.

Saint Mary's Cardinal News and Notes:
Macalester slipped past the Cardinals 307-323 in the teams' dual match a year ago, while Carleton dealt SMU a five-stroke, 322-327 setback last season. … SMU opens the season without its top three scorers from a year ago, as Tony Hynes (80.5 average), Rob Klein (80.6) and Ryan Brodd (85.3) all graduated. …  Ryan Brodd (Woodbury, Minn.) is the Cardinals' top returner, compiling an 85.3 scoring average in 16 rounds a year ago. … Ethan Austin (Northbrook, Ill.) averaged 89.3 in his freshman season a year ago, including a season-best 79 during the second round of the Augsburg Invitational. … As a team, the Cardinals put together a season-low 316 during the opening round of the Wartburg Invitational.