PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Tuesday (March 10) marked the third and final day of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Spring Invite for the Concordia University men’s golf team. Faced with cooler temperatures and rainy conditions that greeted the field of 10 squads, the Bulldogs carded a 310 for the second day in a row in a performance to build upon. Three Concordia golfers shot scores in the 70s in action that took place at Antelope Hills South Golf Course in Prescott, Ariz.
Head coach Brett Muller’s group turned in a three-round total of 307-310-310–927 (+63) and placed ninth amongst a strong field of teams.
“I’m pretty pleased overall,” Muller said. “It was a long winter. We were able to get out three days before coming down here. We shot three pretty solid scores. I’m really proud of Drew (D’Ercole). Today was not the type of weather you expect to have in Arizona. The temperatures were in the mid to high 40s with heavy rain at times. I thought the guys handled it and performed well.”
If this tournament was any indication, freshman Drew D’Ercole could be in for a big spring after he recorded a scoring average of 82.5 over eight fall rounds. The Papillion, Neb., native shot a consistent 74-73-74–221 and placed just outside the top 10 (tied for 12th) out of 67 individuals at the ERAU Invite. D’Ercole had actually been the team’s No. 4 golfer entering the tournament.
“Drew was disappointed from the results he got in the fall,” Muller said. “Worked very hard with his swing coach. It was great to see the results show that hard work.”
The Bulldogs traveled five golfers to Prescott. The rest of the five featured senior Tylar Samek (77-78-78–233; T-42nd), freshman Jay Gunaseelan (83-78-76–237; 56th), junior Jayden Neal (78-81-85–244; 59th) and sophomore Jack Williams (78-85-82–245; T-60th). Gunaseelan saved his best round for the final day. Samek posted the team’s lowest scoring average during the fall.
The ERAU Spring Invite was something new for the program. After Tuesday’s round, the team was readying to head to Top Golf for some dinner and bonding. Most of the trip has been focused on competition. The men’s program ventured to Grand National Golf Course in Opelika, Ala., in 2018.
Up next for Concordia men’s golf is the Concordia-Doane Ryder Cup at York Country Club in York, Neb., March 28.