SEWARD, Neb. – Coming off a season best outing at the Red Raider Cup, Concordia University Men’s Golf aims to continue that momentum at the GPAC Golf Championships this coming Monday and Tuesday (April 26-27). The action will take place at Dakota Dunes Country Club in Dakota Dunes, S.D. The first two rounds of conference golf took place back in September in Elkhorn, Neb.
GPAC Spring Championships
April 26-27 | 10 a.m. (both days)
Dakota Dunes Country Club | Dakota Dunes, S.D.
Live scoring/tournament info: GPAC Website
By the numbers
· During the 2019-20 season that included fall GPAC championship action only (spring canceled by COVID-19), the Bulldogs placed seventh in the GPAC (336-329–665). The top Concordia individual was Tylar Samek (80-81–161; T20th), who graduated last May. The varsity lineup has a much different look this season and has been led by Drew D’Ercole, who figures to move up from last season’s 39th place GPAC finish (85-87–172).
· Currently, the Bulldogs reside in ninth place in the GPAC with a two-round score of 342-330–672 that was carded back in the fall in Elkhorn. The lineup for those two rounds featured D’Ercole (80-82–162; 28th), Jack Williams (85-84–169; T-38th), Jayden Neal (90-83–173; T-42nd), Ivan Yabut (87-86–173; T-42nd) and Nate Auffet (93-81–174; T-44th). Concordia will need a solid couple of rounds to catch the teams in front of them such as Dordt (625), Jamestown (628), Briar Cliff (635) and Dakota Wesleyan (635).
· The conditions were favorable for low scoring on April 15 at the Red Raider Cup, the team’s most recent outing. Seven of the nine Bulldogs who competed in the event either equaled or eclipsed career lows for a single round. D’Ercole placed in a tie for 18th on the individual leaderboard with a total of 73-71–144 (even par). The 71 in round two marked a career low for the native of Papillion, Neb. D’Ercole’s spring has also featured a tournament title at the Doane Spring Invite. The remainder of the Concordia varsity top five included Jacob Woodmancy (72-76–148; T-29th), Ivan Yabut (76-74–150; T-37th), Gavin McWhorter (76-74–150; T-37th) and Nate Auffet (78-80–158; T-54th).
· The team’s top five this season in terms of scoring average has been D’Ercole (76.7), Yabut (80.4), Neal (81.7), Woodmancy (82.0) and Auffet (83.2). The team scoring average in 14 rounds sits at 319.6. Concordia has shot seven rounds below that average this season with scores of 295, 297, 304, 311, 313, 314 and 319. Bulldog individuals have combined to shoot 40 rounds of 79 or lower.
· The GPAC team champion (and individual medalist, if not on the winning team) receives an automatic bid to the 2021 NAIA Men’s Golf Championship, which will be held in Silvis, Ill., May 18-21. In the current standings, Morningside (586) is the conference leader with Doane (607), Northwestern (610) and Midland (613) following in the race.