Custer places top five as Bulldogs finish third at abbreviated Graceland Invite

By Jacob Knabel on Mar. 22, 2024 in Women's Golf

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Brutally cold and windy conditions were the story as the Concordia University Women’s Golf team resumed the 2023-24 season on Friday (March 22) at the Graceland Invitational. Led by sophomore Emery Custer, the Bulldogs placed third while braving the Mozingo Lake Golf Course in Maryville, Mo. The elements played a major role in higher scores across the board.

The event marked the first outing for Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad since the Nebraska Intercollegiate back in the fall. Many practice days this spring have come with better conditions than the ones experienced on Friday.

It was a challenge to simply break 100. Custer’s 98 was good enough to put her fifth on the individual leaderboard. The effort marked the first top-five placement of the season for the Broken Bow, Neb., native. She was followed in the Concordia lineup by Logan Eschliman (101), Jennifer Gillotti (104), Maddie Lewis (104) and Mya Nurse (107). As a comparison, the champion from Waldorf turned in an 88.

The Bulldogs’ team score came in at 407. CUNE defeated Concordia University System sister school Concordia University Wisconsin (376) while also outperforming three other squads at the Graceland Invite.

Concordia results at Graceland Invitational
Emery Custer – 98 (5th place)
Logan Eschliman – 101
Maddie Lewis – 104
Jennifer Gillotti – 104
Mya Nurse – 107

Team Scores
1. Waldorf – 381
2. Simpson – 394
3. Concordia (Neb.) – 407
4. NIACC – 417
5. Hawkeye – 423
6. Peru State – 435
7. Concordia (Wis.) – 458

The Graceland Invite was originally scheduled to take place both Friday and Saturday. Due to poor weather conditions in the forecast, Saturday’s round has been canceled. Up next for Concordia will be the Concordia Bulldog Spring Invite on April 2-3.