FREMONT, Neb. – Sophomore Murphy Sears showed significant improvement compared to the season opening Mount Marty Fall Invite (Aug. 31-Sept. 1). Sears highlighted the day with fifth-place finish out of the field of 45 individuals at Monday’s Midland Fall Invite at Fremont Golf Club. As a team, the Bulldogs shot a 389 and tied for fourth place among six teams.
The 389 marked a season low through three fall rounds for seventh-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad. Concordia shot a two-day total of 390-412–802 at the Mount Marty Invite.
“Murphy played much better and with more confidence from tee to green today,” Muller said. “With the exception of hole 9, she was solid. As a team, we need to work on eliminating mental mistakes that are costing us too many shots.”
Muller is counting upon Sears, a 2016-17 all-conference performer, to shoot low scores out of the No. 1 spot in the lineup. Sears carded a 12-over-par 85 on Monday. Her total was six strokes better than either of her rounds (92-91–183) at the Mount Marty meet. Through 18 career collegiate rounds, the Crete native owns an 18-hole average of 87.33.
Sears was followed in the lineup by a pair of freshmen: Rebecca Day (97; T-22nd) and Haley Nolde (99; T-26th). Next in line were sophomore Payton DeMers-Sahling (108; T-39th) and freshman Gabrielle Coviello (119; 44th). Two other Bulldogs competed individually: junior Madison Pitsch (107; 38th) and sophomore Paighton Barbre (108; T-39th).
The Bulldogs will also be in action this weekend (Sept. 15-16) at the Lila Frommelt Invite hosted by Briar Cliff. Both rounds will be held at Two Rivers Golf Club in Dakota Dunes, S.D. The Lila Frommelt Invite is one of two tournaments remaining on the schedule before the GPAC Fall Championships (Oct. 9-10).