Men’s golf slides back two spots after third GPAC qualifier

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Cold, damp miserable conditions greeted the field at GPAC Qualifier No. 3 held at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, Iowa, on Tuesday. The Concordia University men’s golf team carded a 337 amidst the misty weather. Through three conference rounds, the Bulldogs sit in seventh place with their total of 300-312-337–949. They are four strokes behind sixth-place Dordt.

Individually, sophomore Reid Wiebe led head coach Brett Muller’s squad with a 10-over-par 82 on Tuesday. Freshman Russell Otten remains Concordia’s highest-ranked individual on the overall leaderboard thanks to his three-round total of 74-75-83–232 (12th place).

After his squad turned in a Tuesday round well above its scores from the first two GPAC qualifiers, Muller hopes his team can rebound when the last of four conference rounds is held.

“Disappointing is the word that sums up today,” Muller said. “We didn’t take care of business. We played a practice round yesterday so we knew what to expect. Conditions today were similar, we just didn’t play well. The most disappointing aspect is that we have the talent to be in the top three of the conference.”

Concordia fell back in the conference standings despite the return of two-time all-conference performer Shawn Rodehorst to the lineup. Rodehorst carded an 86 – the highest score of his senior season. The native of Kearney, Neb., had posted totals of 80 or below in each of his first nine rounds.

The final two spots in the lineup were held down by sophomore Jared Knoepfel (86) and freshman Payton DeVencenty (100).

“Some guys played well in stretches, but they weren’t able to put 18 holes together,” Muller said. “We need to have complete rounds.”

Rodehorst retained a top 20 spot with his three-round score of 73-79-86–238. Wiebe (75-82-82–239) is just one stroke back in a tie for 22nd place. To qualify for the GPAC leaderboard, individuals must compete in every qualifier round. Knoepfel made his first GPAC appearance of the season while DeVencenty has participated in the first and third qualifiers.

Next up for the Bulldogs is the Wild West Invite at Wild Horse Golf Course in Gothenburg, Neb. (April 19-20). The final GPAC qualifier will be held on April 27 at Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City, Iowa.

“We have to find the right five for GPAC No. 3,” Muller said. “I expect guys to push each other and for us to have some real competitive practices.”