Martin shoots team low as Texas Intercollegiate wraps up

By Jacob Knabel on Mar. 9, 2021 in Women's Golf

WESTWORTH VILLAGE, Texas – The third and final round of the Texas Intercollegiate concluded early on Tuesday (March 9) afternoon for Concordia University Women’s Golf, which took advantage of an opportunity to travel south for spring break. In a strong field of eight squads, the Bulldogs placed sixth while being led by junior Mia Martin and sophomore Kendra Placke at the top of the lineup.

Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad turned in a three-round score of 365-352-347–1,064. Concordia beat out fellow NAIA member Grand View University (1,148) and Seminole State Community College (1,242).

“Coming down here, we hadn’t really been outside to hit on the range,” Muller said. “As far as actually playing holes, this was the start of the spring for a lot of them. I’m definitely proud that we showed improvement in each of the rounds in the team score.

“It’s absolutely great to add Mia to the lineup. She’s someone who can push Kendra. They got to ride with each other in the same cart these last two days – there will definitely be a friendly rivalry there. They want the best for each other. It’s like the competition Murphy (Sears) had with Kendra and Amy (Ahlers) had with Murphy. Now it’s Kendra and Mia.”

Martin and Placke finished within one stroke of each other while both placing inside the top 20 of the individual leaderboard. A transfer from Concordia University, Portland, Martin carded a score of 82-85-83–250 (+34) in her Bulldog debut. The Seward High School alum Placke finished right behind Martin with a tournament total of 86-80-85–251 (20th place). The tournament champion carded a score of 75-72-77–224.

The rest of the Concordia varsity lineup featured junior Andrea Peterson (100-90-87–277; T-31st), freshman Lauren Havlat (98-97-92–287; 36th) and freshman Logan Eschliman (99-100-104–303; 43rd). Competing as an individual, freshman Emily Jensen posted a score of 101-95-103–299 (41st).

Concordia first arrived in the Dallas area on Saturday and played a practice round on Sunday. The team had plans to tour AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, on Tuesday evening.

During the fall portion of the season, the Bulldogs averaged a team score of 352.4. The 347 carded on Tuesday represented the team’s fourth lowest round (out of 11) over the 2020-21 season. Back in the fall, Concordia won the team title at the Matthew Goette Fall Classic.

Next up on the schedule is the Kansas Wesleyan Coyote Invite in Salina, Kan., March 29-30. The program also looks forward to hosting the Concordia Bulldog Invite at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., April 6-7.