Havlat places top 10, Custer finishes strong as Bulldogs claim third at NWU Invite

By Jacob Knabel on Sep. 25, 2022 in Women's Golf

LINCOLN, Neb. – While up against NAIA and NCAA Division III competition, the Concordia University Women’s Golf team put together a solid two rounds at the Nebraska Wesleyan University Fall Invitational held Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 24-25) at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb. The Bulldogs placed third out of eight teams while carding a two-day score of 334-352–686. Only Central College (Iowa) (321-309–630) and Mount Marty (328-331–659) outperformed Concordia.

Paced at the top of the lineup by Lauren Havlat and Emery Custer, Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad beat out GPAC rivals in Morningside (fifth) and Doane (eighth). The tournament field was made up of GPAC and American Rivers Conference teams.

“I was proud of the way the girls played on Saturday. We shot our lowest score of the fall season so far,” Muller said. “Lauren Havlat played great yesterday and Emery Custer continues to improve. The great thing with Emery is she’s not content with where she’s at. She has high expectations for herself and she’s someone who can make us better as a team.”

The round of 334 as a team on Saturday was 10 strokes better than the team’s previous season low of 344 at the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic. In shooting a 77 (five over par) on day one of the NWU Invite, Havlat achieved one of her goals of breaking into the 70s. The Norris High School product has slashed her season scoring average of 89.3 from 2021-22 down to 83.3 this fall. She’s placed in the top 20 of all four events this fall. Meanwhile, Custer shot a team low round on Sunday with an 83, pushing her into a tie for 19th on the final leaderboard. The Broken Bow, Neb., native carded 84-83–167 for the tournament.

The rest of the five-person lineup included Mya Nurse (84-89–173; T-23rd), Logan Eschliman (89-95–184; 34th) and Sarah Wilson (94-95–189; T-37th). Including Nurse’s 84 on Saturday, Concordia turned in five individual scores of 85 or lower for the tournament. In addition, Ashley Gerczynski (102-97–199) and Ericka Kroeker (109-110–219) competed as individuals at the NWU Invite. There were 54 total individuals in the field.

Bulldogs at NWU Invite:

T10. Lauren Havlat: 77-85–162
T19. Emery Custer: 84-83–167
T23. Mya Nurse: 84-89–173
34. Logan Eschliman: 89-95–184
T37. Sarah Wilson: 94-95–189
45. Ashley Gerczynski: 102-97–199
52. Ericka Kroeker: 109-110–219

The final event of the fall season is coming up next weekend (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) when the Nebraska Intercollegiate will be held at Norfolk Country Club in Norfolk, Neb. The tournament features both women’s and men’s golf teams from Nebraska colleges and universities.