Windy conditions cause high scores at GPAC Qualifier
By Taylor Mueller, Sports Information Assistant
ORANGE CITY, Iowa - It was a very hot and windy day at the first women’s golf GPAC Qualifier event of the 2012-13 season on Tuesday. Unforgiving weather conditions played a role in the high score carded by Brett Muller’s Bulldog women’s golf squad at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange, City, Iowa, where Northwestern College played host.
Concordia finished the round in 11th place with a team score of 415 at the par-72 course that covered 5,816 yards.
“The high yesterday was 98 degrees and wind was blowing around 30 miles per hour with gusts above 45 miles per hour,” Muller said. “The weather is no excuse, though. Everyone played in the same conditions. We let the wind affect us too much. We needed to be stronger mentally. The good news from (Tuesday) is that this was only one qualifier and there are three more to improve and move up in the conference.”
Leading the way for the Bulldogs was senior Makenzie Deutschman, who shot a team best 96 and was 13 shots behind leaders Lauren Fitts from Dakota Wesleyan and Emma Wynja who represented Northwestern. Following closely behind her with 99 strokes was senior Chelsea Peck. Next in line for Concordia was sophomore Melissa McIntosh with a score of 104, senior Madison Phillips with 116 and sophomore Jenelle Hallaert and 116.
Among the Concordia’s five golfers on Tuesday, each of them returned from last year’s team and four of the five participated in all four GPAC qualifier meets last season.
Dakota Wesleyan leads after round one with a team score of 352. Northwestern placed a close second with 354 strokes. Morningside College placed third with a score of 382.
The team with the lowest score after all four GPAC qualifiers are completed will gain an automatic berth into the National Championships next May. The last women’s GPAC qualifier of the fall season will be held Oct. 3 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.
First, the Bulldog women will look to rebound from their frustrating qualifying round when they travel to Lincoln for the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite that will run Sept. 16-17. The men tee off Thursday at Landsmeer Golf Club for their first GPAC qualifier.
