GOODYEAR, Ariz. – It was a solid two-round showing for Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Golf in the team’s first tournament of the spring semester. The Bulldogs carded back-to-back team scores of 310 at the Maverick Desert Classic hosted by Minnesota State University on Monday and Tuesday (March 9-10). Twelve institutions (13 total groupings) were present for competition at Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, Ariz. The vast majority of the field was made up of NCAA Division II golfers.
Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad placed 12th with a total score of 310-310–620 (+44). Seven Bulldogs were among the 86 individuals in the field at the Desert Classic.
“Looking at our team score, both rounds were better than our season average from the fall, so that was good to see,” Muller said. “I thought the guys played pretty well today for about the first 14 holes. We just struggled to finish. As a team with our four counting scores, we were 10 over on the last four holes. We let some rounds get away from us there.”
Concordia’s top player entering the event, in terms of season scoring average, senior Jake Richmond topped the team’s leaderboard while shooting 74-78–152 (+8) for the tournament. The Elkhorn, Neb., native birdied three times over his two rounds and finished in a tie for 41st place overall. The Bulldogs’ best round on day two came from junior Jude Elgert (83-75–158), who shot 75, moving himself up 14 spots on the individual leaderboard.
Richmond and Elgert played in Concordia’s team group of five, which also included three freshmen: Tyler Weismann (78-78–156), Calvin Zabloudil (79-79–158) and Logan Krabbenhoft (79-83–162). One of Tuesday’s highlights was delivered by Weismann when he eagled on hole 2 (par 5). While playing as an individual, senior Brock Rogers (78-81–159) put together back-to-back birdies on holes 2 and 3 in his second round. Junior Jacob Dowd (83-82–165) rounded out the team’s efforts in the Phoenix area.
This was the second time in three years that the men’s program traveled to Goodyear, Ariz., for spring break. The weather cooperated with near perfect conditions during the Bulldogs’ stay.
Said Muller, “It’s great coming on a spring break trip and being able to play four days of golf (including practice rounds) in very favorable weather. We’ll get some things ironed out, gain some confidence and come back and attack the spring season.”
Pittsburg State University (Kan.) and Washburn University (Kan.) tied atop the Desert Classic team standings (580 total). Sister school Concordia University St. Paul landed in fifth place. The Bulldogs finished four strokes behind NCAA D2 Minot State University (N.D.) (303-313–616) for 11th place.
Bulldogs at the Desert Classic
Team: 310-310–620 (+44) | 12th place
T41. Jake Richmond: 74-78–152
T58. Tyler Weismann: 78-78–156
T64. Calvin Zabloudil: 79-79–158
T64. Jude Elgert: 83-75–158
74. Logan Krabbenhoft: 79-83–162
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T69. Brock Rogers: 78-81–159
80. Jacob Dowd: 83-82–165
In continuing the spring slate, the Bulldogs will be in action on Tuesday-Wednesday (March 17-18) of next week when the Doane Spring Invite takes place (originally scheduled for Monday-Tuesday). The tournament is scheduled to be held at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln on day one and at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln on day two. Four spring varsity events will lead into the GPAC Men’s Golf Championships.