VALLEY, Neb. – Three Bulldogs shot in the 70s on Wednesday (Sept. 19) at the Midland Fall Invite, but it wasn’t enough for the Concordia University men’s golf team to keep pace with its conference competition. The Bulldog ‘A’ team placed in a tie for 13th amongst 19 squads in a large field that navigated the course at The Pines Country Club in Valley, Neb.
The 313 carded by eighth-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad represented a season high out of the four rounds it has competed in this fall. Muller also traveled a second grouping of four to Valley. That foursome carded a 361.
Just named the GPAC Golfer of the Week earlier in the day, senior Nolan Zikas failed to shoot par or better for the first time this season. He shot a four-over-par 76 and placed in a tie for 37th on the individual leaderboard (103 golfers). Junior Tylar Samek enjoyed the best day among Bulldogs. He carded a two-over-par 74 and claimed a top 20 finish. The rest of the first group included junior Colton Zulkoski (76; T-37th) and sophomores Jayden Neal (87; T-92nd) and Harrison Helmer (91; T-100th).
The four additional Bulldogs to take the course on Wednesday were freshmen William Christianson (87; T-92nd), Landon Walkenhorst (89; T-96th) and Nathan Auffet (89; T-96th) and senior Grant Suchanek (96; 103rd).
Next up are the GPAC Fall Championships next Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 24-25) at Willow Run Golf Course in Sioux Falls, S.D. Two conference rounds will also be contested in the spring. Last season Muller’s squad placed fifth in the GPAC (288-295-311-308–1,202).