NEWTON, Kan. – While battling brisk winds on Sunday (March 29), four Bulldogs carded scores in the 80s, including fourth-place tournament medalist Maddie Lewis. Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Golf improved its team score by 22 strokes from day one to day two at the Bethel College Spring Invitational. The Bulldogs concluded the two-round tournament in third place out of six teams.
Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad shot 357-335–692 in the event held at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kan. The tournament field featured 40 individual golfers.
“It was a huge improvement,” Muller said in comparing the two rounds. “That’s more of a score we expect to shoot – in very tough conditions today. I’m very proud of them. They made a huge jump and had the second lowest team score today.”
A senior from Treynor, Iowa, Lewis notched her fourth top 10 tournament place finish of the season. She climbed six spots in round two and shot 84-83–167 (+23) overall. In Sunday’s round, Lewis birdied 12 and eagled 18. Back in the fall, Lewis placed third at the Lila Frommelt Classic, sixth at the Siouxland Invite and eighth at the Nebraska Intercollegiate.
At the Bethel Invite, sophomore Savannah McFalls joined Lewis in the top 10 by shooting 89-82–171 (T-8th). Senior Emery Custer narrowly missed the top 10 as she finished in a tie for 11th (83-89–172). The lineup was rounded out by freshmen Olivia James (101-81–182; T-26th) and Amelia Ptacnik (101-100–201; 33rd). The strides made by James played a pivotal role in slashing 22 strokes off Saturday’s team score. Concordia entered the spring carrying an average team score of 332.7.
Tyler Junior College won the Bethel Invite tournament title with a two-round total of 672. The Bulldogs placed in front of Evangel University (720), Southwest Christian (728) and GPAC rival Dakota Wesleyan (756).
Bulldogs at the Bethel Invite – Final Results
TEAM: 357-335–692 (+116) | 3rd place
4. Maddie Lewis: 84-83–167
T8. Savannah McFalls: 89-82–171
T11 Emery Custer: 83-89–172
T26. Olivia James: 101-81–182
33. Amelia Ptacnik: 101-100–201
The Bulldogs will now prepare to host the Concordia Bulldog Invite on April 7-8. The tournament will take place at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., on both days. This will be the eighth time the program has hosted the Concordia Invite.