EAGLE, Neb. – Near perfect conditions met the field of more than 100 golfers on day two of the Blue River Classic co-hosted by the men’s golf programs at Concordia and Doane. Once again, Drew D’Ercole led the way for the Bulldogs, who entered 16 individuals into the tournament that took place on Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 8-9). The Concordia ‘A’ grouping carded a two-round total of 296-293–589 and placed sixth out of 19 total teams (from 13 institutions).
Head Coach Brett Muller’s competitors combined for a total of 15 rounds in the 70s between the two days of golf. Action took place at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., on Wednesday before shifting to Woodland Hills Golf Course in Eagle, Neb., on Thursday.
“The Blue River Classic again proved it’s one of the deeper fields as far as events that we play in,” Muller said. “There were so many scores under par individually. I’m pretty proud of our guys. We’re getting closer and getting more competitive with the top GPAC schools. Our depth definitely showed with our second group shooting a 306. Last year our top group struggled to shoot 306 so to have our second five shoot that shows our depth. It makes it tougher to figure out who our top five are, but that’s a good problem to have.”
D’Ercole has separated himself as the top Dawg in the lineup to this point. After tying for third place at the Mount Marty Invite, D’Ercole shared seventh place at the Blue River Classic thanks to his two-round score of 71-71–142 (-1). The native of Papillion, Neb., now has the expectation of finishing in the top 10 of each tournament.
Said D’Ercole, “I was happy with it. Obviously two double bogies put a sour taste in my mouth, but it was a good feeling for the tournament (as a whole). I’m proud of the guys with how they fought. Jacob Woodmancy and Ivan Yabut both had 70-rounds today. That was good to see.”
Added Muller on D’Ercole, “He believes he’s one of the top players in the conference and he’s going to do everything he can to put in the extra time and put himself in that conversation. He’s performed well this year. We’re all hungry to get back out there Monday and Tuesday.”
As mentioned by D’Ercole, Woodmancy and Yabut sizzled with 70s on Thursday. In the team’s scoring, they placed just behind Justin Webert (73-73–146; T-19th) at the top of the pack. Yabut vaulted from 61st place after day one to 22nd (78-70–148) at the conclusion of the tournament. Woodmancy was one stroke (79-70–149) behind.
In terms of overall 36-hole scoring, the rest of the top 10 for the Bulldogs included Nathan Auffet (75-79–154; T-52nd), Jack Williams (81-75–156; T-66th), Josh D’Ercole (77-81–158; T-68th), Gavin McWhorter (79-80–159; T-71st), Jake Hagerbaumer (77-82–159; T-71st) and Landon Walkenhorst (78-82–160: T-75th). The latter five were each part of the ‘B’ team that carded a 306.
Iowa Western Community College walked away as the team champion of the Blue River Classic. Damian Osner won a playoff to claim the individual title. Concordia was one of seven GPAC schools at the tournament. Among GPAC ‘A’ groups, the Bulldogs placed third.
The fall season will resume next week with the Siouxland Invite that will play out Monday and Tuesday in Sioux Center, Iowa, and Orange City, Iowa. Dordt and Northwestern serve as the co-hosts of the event.