Record-breaking week continues as Concordia shoots two-round 567 at UC Ferguson

By Jacob Knabel on Aug. 30, 2022 in Men's Golf

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Two program records fell over the past two days as the Concordia University Men’s Golf team officially got the 2022-23 season started at the U.C. Ferguson Classic. The Bulldogs reset school standards for lowest single-round score (283) and lowest two-round tournament score (283-284–567) while playing Lincoln Park West Golf Course in Oklahoma City, Okla. Led by Drew D’Ercole, Concordia placed 10th out of a strong 18-team field in action on Monday-Tuesday (Aug. 29-30).

Head Coach Brett Muller expects to have the most complete lineup he’s fielded in 12 seasons leading Bulldog Men’s Golf. All-conference performers Drew D’Ercole and Ivan Yabut will be pushed by the young up-and-comers on the roster.

“Coming out of fall qualifying, bringing guys in a week early and playing 99 holes of qualifying, we knew we had the capabilities to shoot scores like we did the last two days,” Muller said. “It was really good to take that from qualifying and play really well the first tournament out of the year. I was very impressed with Jake Richmond. He gave us a lift with a 69 in his first collegiate action. Drew lipped out on his 36th hole otherwise he would have tied the school record for lowest 36-hole individual score. There’s a lot to be excited about.”

The previous school standard for a two-round tournament score had been 583 accomplished by the 2017-18 and 2021-22 teams. That record was shattered as both D’Ercole (68 on Tuesday) and freshman Jake Richmond (69 on Monday) cracked the 60s in one of their two rounds. The most veteran golfer on the roster, D’Ercole led the way overall by shooting a two-round total of 71-68–139 for a three-under-par. He placed in a tie for 23rd out of 102 golfers in the UC Ferguson field. Each of them navigated the par 71 course that measured 6,576 yards.

A two-time state medalist at Yutan High School, Richmond put together a fine first collegiate tournament while shooting 69-73–142, good for a tie for 36th overall. The rest of the lineup featured Justin Webert (72-71–143; T-43rd), Ivan Yabut (71-72–143; T-43rd) and Jake Hagerbaumer (76-75–151; T-77th). Two Bulldogs competed as individuals: Gavin McWhorter (80-74–154; T-84th) and Josh D’Ercole (81-77–158; T-91st).

The team’s top golfer last season, Yabut averaged a score of 74.9 throughout 2021-22. He was joined in last spring’s GPAC championship lineup by the likes of Drew D’Ercole, Hagerbaumer and Webert. Yabut remains the school record holder for lowest single-round individual score with his seven-under-par 65 from last fall.

Bellevue University and Oklahoma City University tied at the top of the team leaderboard with identical scores of 542. The Bulldogs saw a field of players and teams they wouldn’t normally go up against. Said Muller, “That was one of the draws of coming down to this tournament. There were a lot of teams receiving votes nationally and teams we wouldn’t typically see in our normal regular season schedule.”

The Bulldogs will be at their home course next time out as they get set to co-host the Blue River Classic on Sept. 6-7. The event will feature 36 holes on day one followed by 18 holes on day two with all three rounds taking place at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. Doane will serve as the co-host of the annual event. Concordia placed sixth out of 19 teams at the 2021 Blue River Classic.