Bulldogs knock off rust, enjoy warm weather at spring invite

By Jacob Knabel on Mar. 8, 2023 in Women's Golf

FULL RESULTS (PDF)

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – The two-day spring break tournament is in the books for Concordia University Women’s Golf. The Bulldogs spent three days (one practice round) playing the course at Wigwam Red Course in Litchfield Park, Ariz., where 10 collegiate women’s golf teams came together for the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite. The highlight of the 36-hole event (March 7-8) for Concordia was a career low round for freshman Emery Custer.

Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad shot a two-round total of 354-371–725 and placed ninth out of 10 teams. The Bulldogs were the lone NAIA representative in the field. All other teams present in Litchfield Park were affiliated with NCAA Division II.

“We struggled a little bit in our team score,” Muller said. “The girls really thought they could improve today, so there was some disappointment. At the same time, it’s very early in the spring season and we’ve only been outside one time at Highlands (Golf Course). There’s definitely some rust, but we enjoyed playing at a very nice course the last three days. The weather’s been absolutely perfect.”

The most recent spring break trip for the women’s golf program came in 2021 when Concordia made its way to Westworth Village, Texas. The men then traveled to Vegas a year ago. This time around, the Broken Bow, Neb., native Custer took advantage of the conditions on Tuesday when she shot a 10-over-par 82, outperforming her previous career best of 83. Custer wound up in a tie for 47th overall on the individual leaderboard (62 total individuals).

Lauren Havlat entered the spring leading the team in scoring average (84.4). The Lincoln, Neb., native carded a two-round score of 89-91–180 in Arizona. The rest of the five-person lineup featured Mya Nurse (87-93–180), Logan Eschliman (96-90–186) and Sarah Wilson (107-104–211). The team season average prior to the start of the tournament sat at 352.8.

SW Minnesota Spring Break Invite Totals

T47. Emery Custer: 82-97–179

T49. Lauren Havlat: 89-91–180

T49. Mya Nurse: 87-93–180

55. Logan Eschliman: 96-90–186

60. Sarah Wilson: 107-104–211

Next up on the schedule is the Concordia Bulldog Spring Invitational slated for April 3-4 at the home course, Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. This will mark the fifth year that the program has hosted the event. Former Bulldog Kendra Placke won the individual title at least year’s Concordia Invite.