Season Stats: MEN

2014-15 Men's Golf Schedule/Results

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 4	Siouxland Invite - The Ridge GC	Sioux Center, Iowa	Day 1 results
Sept. 5	Siouxland Invite - Landsmeer GC	Orange City, Iowa	6 of 13
Sept. 12	Palace City Invite - Lakeview GC	Mitchell, S.D.	Day 1 results
Sept. 13	Palace City Invite - Wild Oak GC	Mitchell, S.D.	-Team: 4 of 16 -Individuals
Sept. 19	GPAC Qualifier No. 1 - Wild Oak GC	Mitchell, S.D.	-Team: 4 of 11 -Individuals
Sept. 23	Midland Invite - Fremont Golf Club	Fremont, Neb.	2 of 24
Sept. 29	GPAC Qualifier No. 2 - Fremont Golf Club	Fremont, Neb.	-6 of 11 -GPAC standings
OCTOBER
Oct. 10-11	Nebraska Intercollegiate - Norfolk Country Club	Norfolk, Neb.	Team: 7 of 13 -Individuals
MARCH
March 28	Bethel Invite - Hesston Golf Park	Hesston, Kan.	1 p.m.
March 29	Bethel Invite - Sand Creek Station	Newton, Kan.	18 of 19 Players
APRIL
April 7	GPAC Qualifier No. 3 - Whispering Creek	Sioux City, Iowa	9 of 11 GPAC standings
April 19	Wild West Invite - Wild Horse GC	Gothenburg, Neb.	Player totals
April 20	Wild West Invite - Wild Horse GC	Gothenburg, Neb.	6 of 11
April 25	Bulldog-Tiger Cup - York CC	York, Neb.	L, 7-17
April 27	GPAC Qualifier No. 4 - Landsmeer GC	Orange City, Iowa	4 of 11 GPAC standings

2014-15 Bulldog Men's Golf Roster

*Name*	*Yr.*	*Hometown*	*Previous School*
Brock Colclasure	Jr.	Central City, Neb.	Central City
Court Croghan	So.	Seward, Neb.	Southeast CC
Payton DeVencenty	Fr.	Parker, Colo.	Parker Lutheran
Tyler Ehresman	Fr.	Omaha, Neb.	Brownell-Talbot
Jared Knoepfel	So.	Fremont, Neb.	Fremont
Matt Lehenbauer	So.	Lake Ozark, Neb.	School of the Osage
Colton Marshall	R-Fr.	North Platte, Neb.	Hershey
Matt Otten	Jr.	Columbus, Neb.	Central CC
Russell Otten	Fr.	Centennial, Colo.	Araphoe
Paul Rempfer	Jr.	Blairstown, Iowa	Benton Community
Shawn Rodehorst	Sr.	Kearney, Neb.	Kearney Catholic
Sam Simonson	Jr.	Saint Libory, Neb.	Heartland Lutheran
Garrett Suchanek	Jr.	Grand Island, Neb.	Heartland Lutheran
Reid Wiebe	So.	Sutton, Neb.	University of Nebraska-Omaha
Grant Worthington	So.	Peachtree City, Ga.	McIntosh

2014-15 golf season preview

By Jake Knabel, Director of Athletic Communications

MEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (fourth year)
2013-14 GPAC Finish: 8th (317-345-326-325–1,313)
Key Returners: Brock Colclasure (Jr.); Court Croghan (So.); Jared Knoepfel (So.); Sam Mayhall (Sr.); Shawn Rodehorst (Sr.); Sam Simonson (Jr.); Garrett Suchanek (Jr.)
Key Losses: Sam DeFreece
2014 GPAC All-Conference: Shawn Rodehorst (16th – 78-86-77-78–319)

WOMEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (fourth year)
2013-14 GPAC Finish: 6th (366-374-383-359–1,482)
Key Returners: Amy Ahlers (So.); Kayla Krueger (So.); Melissa McIntosh (Sr.); Kristin Remm (Jr.); Allie Schieffer (Sr.)
Key Losses: None
2014 GPAC All-Conference: Amy Ahlers (4th – 89-80-80-83–332); Honorable Mention – Kayla Krueger (16th – 92-84-98-85–359)

Outlook:
Led by stars in sophomore Amy Ahlers for the women and senior Shawn Rodehorst for the men, the Bulldog golf programs enter 2014-15 with designs on another move up in the GPAC standings. Both squads return virtually every key varsity contributor from last season while welcoming in recruits expected to challenge for spots in the lineup. There’s little doubt that Brett Muller has assembled the best collection of talent he’s had in his four years leading both squads.

The women got a big lift last season from the arrival of Ahlers and fellow freshman Kayla Krueger. With the young duo holding down the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, the Bulldogs leaped from 11th in the GPAC the previous season to sixth in 2013-14.

“That was a huge jump for us in one year,” Muller said. “A lot of that is attributed to the two freshmen we had last year – Amy Ahlers and Kayla Krueger. Amy finished tied for fourth in the conference, which is outstanding. She won two qualifiers – GPAC No. 2 and GPAC No. 3. That really vaulted us up on the team side as well. I know it will be a goal for Amy this year to make the national tournament.”

Ahlers finished with a season average of 84.6 over 12 rounds. She got off to a slow start by shooting an 89 in each of the first two meets. She found the form she expected from herself later on and shot a season low of 80 on three occasions.

As someone capable of routinely putting up scores in the 70s, the native of Albion, Neb., begins this season as one of the favorites to win the GPAC individual title.

“Looking back, it was OK,” Ahlers said. “I really messed up the first GPAC (qualifier). I had an 89 and that dug me in a hole quick. This year I want to take it one GPAC at a time. Whatever happens is going to happen. I’ve just got to play my own game and not worry about everybody else’s. I’m hoping to finish better than fourth this year.”

Krueger backed Ahlers with a 16th-place GPAC finish of her own, netting honorable mention all-conference recognition. Krueger (Aberdeen, S.D.) recorded a season average of 91.8 with a low of 84 at GPAC Qualifier No. 2.

The team also welcomes back experienced seniors in Jenelle Hallaert, Melissa McIntosh and Allie Schieffer. All have been part of the varsity lineup over the past few years. They will get competition from the likes of freshmen Brenna Gnuse, Emma Jacoby, Ashlen Pospisil and Lauren Sperry.

A deeper team means more intense practices and growing expectations.

“Our goal this year will definitely be to finish in the top four of the conference,” Muller said. “I think that’s a very realistic and attainable goal. It will take some hard work and we’ll have to have everybody ready to go. We have some returners that have some experience and we have some good younger players who will be looking to make their mark on the program as freshmen.”

Ahlers’ enthusiasm in regards to her teammates and the upcoming season comes through in obvious fashion.

“Since we didn’t lose any seniors, we’re all back,” Ahlers said. “I’m really excited about it. I think it’s going to be a great season. We’re all looking forward to it. I hope we have a good time together and I think good results will follow.”

Like the women last season, the men may be primed to make their big jump in 2014-15. Rodehorst has been one of the conference’s top performers the past two seasons, turning in season averages of 75.15 as a sophomore and 78.8 as a junior. Selflessly, the native of Kearney, Neb., prefers to talk about team success.

“I really think we can be in that discussion to contend every week,” Rodehorst said. “Last year there were four or five teams that were right there every meet. You know those were the teams that were going to contend. I really believe we can be in that group now.”

Muller praises Rodehorst for his team-first approach that has garnered the respect of the entire roster.

“The thing with Shawn is that he’s a very good individual player, but he’s all about the team,” Muller said. “He wants the team to do well. He wants to make the national championship, not as an individual (but as a team). I think we have some players coming in along with the returners who can really make a push this year for the GPAC championship. Shawn has done a great job reaching out and talking to more recruits. He’s a reason why we have a couple kids coming in that we do.”

Rodehorst will have a worthy challenger for the No. 1 spot in the lineup with the addition of NCAA Division I University of Nebraska-Omaha transfer Reid Wiebe. Muller expects Wiebe to be one of the top players in the conference immediately. Wiebe is a former state champion at Sutton Public Schools and a significant addition to a roster that loses only Sam DeFreece among varsity players.

Other key returners include sophomores Court Croghan (83.7) and Jared Knoepfel (82.4), senior Sam Mayhall (84.6) and juniors Sam Mayhall (84.6), Garrett Suchanek (84.8) and Sam Simonson (85.4).

“I expect practices to be pretty intense and the competition should definitely be there,” Muller said. “Look for big things this year out of the men’s program.”

Muller is also excited about the additions of Payton DeVencenty (Parker, Colo.), Tyler Ehresman (Omaha, Neb.), Matt Otten (Columbus, Neb.) and Russell Otten (Centennial, Colo.). The Bulldog roster is teeming with talent and depth.

“I truly think there’s something special happening here and a lot of that is because of Coach (Muller),” Rodehorst said. “He’s very committed to the team. Practices are much more competitive. People know what they have to do. What’s been able to make it the past couple years isn’t going to make it this year, which is good. Scores are a lot better. There’s a lot more energy there and a lot more focus, which is good to see.”

Both rising golf programs are set to open their seasons over the next five days. The men begin play with the Siouxland Invite, a two-day tournament scheduled to play out Thursday and Friday this week. The women will open up next week at the Dordt Invite on Monday.

Rodehorst shoots career low to lead solid season-opening day for men’s golf

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Two-time all-GPAC performer Shawn Rodehorst began his senior season in a big way on Thursday and the Concordia University men’s golf team carded its lowest score of fourth-year head coach Brett Muller’s tenure. After day one of two at the Siouxland Invite, Concordia’s ‘A’ Team sits in sixth place among the field of 13 teams. Meanwhile, Rodehorst leads the field of 70 individuals.

The Bulldogs’ 302 is just two strokes off of third-place Morningside and 10 off of the leader, AIB (Iowa).

“All in all I’m pretty happy with our performance for the first day of our first tournament,” Muller said. “We put ourselves in position after day one to make a move. If we can improve a little we should be able to pass some teams.”

Rodehorst, a native of Kearney, Neb., has made himself cozy at The Ridge Golf Course in Sioux Center, Iowa, site of Thursday’s round. On Sept. 7, 2012, he shot a then career low of 70 at the same course during his sophomore season. On Thursday, he one-upped that effort with a career best two-under-par 69 to top the leaderboard.

“He was getting added distance and he putted really well,” Muller said. “It’s hard to say a 69 is disappointing, but Shawn was five under at one point after he eagled on 14. He ended up double bogeying on 16 and had a bogey on 17. It was still a great day for him.”

The rest of the ‘A’ lineup included sophomores Reid Wiebe (72 – T2) and Court Croghan (80 – T36) and freshmen Russell Otten (81 – T43) and Tyler Ehresman (85 – T55). Of the four, only Croghan is a holdover from the 2013-14 season.

Wiebe made a big impact in his debut after transferring to the Bulldogs from NCAA Division I University of Nebraska-Omaha.

“Reid played very well,” Muller said. “He did a nice job in his first round as a Bulldog. His biggest strength is the length he gets. He had some drives of 350-360 yards. He can really overpower the course.”

The team total of 302 was six strokes better than the Bulldogs’ top score from the 2013-14 season. The closest to that total Concordia has come in Muller’s four seasons was at the Mount Marty Invite in 2011 when they carded a 304.

If the others after Rodehorst and Wiebe can bring their scores down into the 70s, the Bulldogs will be in great position on Friday.

“A lot of the new guys seemed to have a little bit of the jitters until settling down,” Muller said. “I’m proud of Russell (Otten) and Payton (DeVencenty), both shooting an 80. And Tyler had a couple holes where it blew up on him but otherwise he played very well too.”

DeVencenty’s 80 led the way for Concordia’s ‘B’ team, which shot a 328. The rest of that squad included juniors Garrett Suchanek (81 – T43), Brock Colclasure (81 – T43) and Sam Simonson (86 – T59) and sophomore Jared Knoepfel (89 – T67).

All 10 Bulldog golfers will be in action again on Friday for the second and final round of the Siouxland Invite. Play will shift to Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City, Iowa.

Rodehorst will carry a three-stroke lead into the second day. Teammate Wiebe as well as AIB’s Andy Fraser and Nate Schill and Morningside’s Christian Nohr are all tied for second.

Bulldogs claim sixth at Siouxland Invite; Rodehorst ties for ninth

By Taylor Mueller, Athletic Communications Assistant

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The Concordia men’s golf team wrapped up its season-opening, two-day Siouxland Invite meet on Friday. Head coach Brett Muller’s first grouping of Bulldogs claimed sixth among the field of 13 teams.

After finishing the first day of competition at The Ridge Golf Course in Sioux Center, Iowa, Friday’s course provided new scenery as the Bulldogs trekked to Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City, Iowa.

After starting the tournament strong with an impressive lead of 69 strokes, senior Shawn Rodehorst lost a bit of momentum from Thursday’s outing, shooting an 80 at Landsmeer to finish in a tie for 9th place with an overall score of 149.

Right on his heels was sophomore Reid Wiebe, who after shooting a 72 on Thursday, closed with a 78 on Friday and a net score of 150.

Though Friday’s weather was more favorable than Thursday, starting the action on the back nine holes seemed to have an impact on the Bulldogs, as both Rodehorst and Wiebe got off to “rough starts compared to (Thursday)” according to Muller. Starting with the back nine, Rodehorst and Wiebe each shot a 41 to begin day two.

Despite the slow start, both Rodehorst and Wiebe were the catalysts for the Bulldogs’ sixth-place finish.

“It was good to see Reid player better on his front nine,” Muller said.

Concordia’s A team finished with a score of 621 while the B team finished with a total of 652 strokes. The A team finished above Briar Cliff and Mount Marty among the GPAC No. 1 groupings.

Though Rodehorst and Wiebe certainly shined in the opening contest of the Bulldogs’ season, freshmen Tyler Ehresman and Payton DeVencenty had noteworthy performances that did not go overlooked by the head coach.

“The biggest highlights for today were Tyler and Payton both shooting in the 70s,” Muller said. “As freshmen that should give them confidence moving to next week. They knew they could do it and they did.”

Aiming to break 300 on day two of the tournament, the Bulldogs fell short of their goal with a 319. Muller noted that Thursday’s team score of 302 was strange with just one athlete (Wiebe) in the 70s. Reflecting on the outcomes of the last two days in the opening meet, Muller was able to get an idea of where his team stacks up and the improvements that can still be made.

“We need more consistency throughout the lineup,” Muller said. “We need to get more guys in the 70s. We have several who are capable. They just have to go out there and do it.”

The Bulldogs will next be in action on Friday, Sept. 12 in Mitchell, S.D., where they compete in the Palace City Invite at Lakeview Golf Course to begin the first day of a two-day tournament.

Bulldogs claim sixth at Siouxland Invite; Rodehorst ties for ninth

By Taylor Mueller, Athletic Communications Assistant

Right on his heels was sophomore Reid Wiebe, who after shooting a 72 on Thursday, closed with a 78 on Friday and a net score of 150.

Despite the slow start, both Rodehorst and Wiebe were the catalysts for the Bulldogs’ sixth-place finish.

“It was good to see Reid player better on his front nine,” Muller said.

Concordia’s A team finished with a score of 621 while the B team finished with a total of 652 strokes. The A team finished above Briar Cliff and Mount Marty among the GPAC No. 1 groupings.

“We need more consistency throughout the lineup,” Muller said. “We need to get more guys in the 70s. We have several who are capable. They just have to go out there and do it.”

The Bulldogs will next be in action on Friday, Sept. 12 in Mitchell, S.D., where they compete in the Palace City Invite at Lakeview Golf Course to begin the first day of a two-day tournament.

Women’s golf opens season with fifth-place finish at Dordt Invite

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – On a day in which blustery early morning conditions affected the short game of many performers, the Concordia University women’s golf team opened its 2014-15 season with a fifth-place finish among eight teams at Monday’s Dordt Invite. The Bulldogs used a young lineup of two sophomores and three freshmen, collectively putting up a team score of 376.

Individually, sophomore Kayla Krueger, who hails from Aberdeen, S.D., paced Concordia with a four-place finish among the 54 individuals – all from GPAC schools. Krueger’s score of 87 on Monday was nearly five strokes better than her season average as a freshman.

“It was one of the better rounds she’s had,” fourth-year head coach Brett Muller said. “She was solid all day. She was definitely our highlight of the meet. She kept herself out of trouble. It was a pretty good starting point for her.”

Sophomore Amy Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., and the team’s top golfer last season, carded an uncharacteristically high 93 for a 17th-place claim. A fourth-place GPAC finisher in 2013-14, Ahlers came in about eight strokes above her season average from last season. Her play was representative of the high scores across the board on Monday.

First-place Mount Marty turned in a 366, 10 strokes better than Concordia.

“Our team score was certainly higher than we wanted it to be,” Muller said. “We had a lot of strokes from 30 yards and in. We did not do a good job of making the adjustment to the weather conditions.”

Three freshmen all made their debuts and were part of Muller’s varsity lineup. Emma Jacoby (Lincoln, Neb.) tied for 20th with a 96, Ashlen Pospisil (Norfolk, Neb.) recorded a 100 to tie for 33rd and Brenna Gnuse (Holdrege, Neb.) tied for 43rd by turning in a 107.

“Just like some of the freshmen men at their first tournament, there are going to be some jitters,” Muller said. “They a good job of settling in. All three are capable of shooting in the 80s.”

The Bulldogs also had four players compete as individuals on Monday: seniors Jenelle Hallaert, Allie Schieffer and Melissa McIntosh and freshman Lauren Sperry. Among those four, Schieffer had the top score with a 105.

Muller will expect improvement when the team returns to action next week at the exact same course – The Ridge in Sioux Center, Iowa, where GPAC Qualifier No. 1 will take place on Monday, Sept. 15. Muller believes his team has the ability to break 340 with Ahlers capable of cracking the 70s and the others falling in not far behind. Last year’s season low team total was a 358 at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite.

Men’s golf shines in final round of Palace City Classic

MITCHELL, S.D. – Last season the Concordia women’s golf program made a significant jump from 11th in the GPAC to sixth. The men’s golf team appears headed for a similar leap forward in 2014-15, as evidenced by Saturday’s round at the Palace City Classic in Mitchell, S.D. Spurred by Reid Wiebe’s one-over-par 73, the Bulldogs finished second among 16 teams on the day and completed the two-day tournament with a total of 308-305–613. That put them fourth overall.

Wiebe, a transfer from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, tied for second on the individual leaderboard with his 75-73–148. He finished just won stroke off the tournament medalist. In addition, senior Shawn Rodehorst held onto a top 10 spot by carding an 80 on Saturday. For the first time in his career, his score did not factor into Concordia’s top four for team scoring.

“Shawn and I were talking afterward that this was the first time in his career that his score was kicked out,” head coach Brett Muller said. “He was excited the way that other guys stepped up. It just shows how the program has developed.”

The rest of Concordia’s first of two groupings of five individuals included freshmen Payton DeVencenty (77), Russell Otten (77) and Tyler Ehresman (78). Among the three, Otten had the best overall individual finish with his two-day numbers of 80-77–157.

Compared to 2013-14, Concordia’s top lineup looks almost completely different. Wiebe may just find a home battling Rodehorst all year for the No. 1 spot.

“Reid played really well again today,” Muller said. “He continues to dominate par fives. He played them at seven under for the tournament, so that’s really a strength for him.”

The second grouping of Bulldogs was topped by Matt Otten’s 81. The rest of Concordia’s next five included Garrett Suchanek (82), Sam Simonson (83), Brock Colclasure (85) and Grant Worthington (87). This group finished the tournament with a score of 313-331–644.

Despite more difficult weather conditions on Saturday compared to Friday, the first group of Bulldogs actually cut three strokes off their score. Muller said his team did a great job battling wind gusts close to 40 miles per hour while playing at Wild Oak Golf Course. Friday’s round was held at Lakeview Golf Course.

Concordia had begun the day in a tie for 10th after shooting a 308 on Friday. The only team to shoot lower than the Bulldogs’ 305 on Saturday was tournament host and champion Dakota Wesleyan University. The Tigers were 12 strokes better than Concordia over the two-day invite.

The Bulldogs will return to Wild Oak in Mitchell on Friday, Sept. 19 for GPAC Qualifier No. 1. Two conference qualifiers are held in both the spring and fall golf seasons.

Four Bulldogs card 70s on record-setting day at GPAC No. 1

MITCHELL, S.D. – Head coach Brett Muller could not have asked for a better start to GPAC play. By carding a team total of 300 at Wild Oak Golf Course in Mitchell, S.D., on Friday afternoon, the Concordia University men’s golf team broke a program record for the lowest score at a GPAC qualifier. With one of four GPAC rounds in the books for the season, Concordia sits in fourth place in the league.

Muller’s Bulldogs are nipping at the heels of Nebraska Wesleyan (294), Doane (299) and Midland (299) in a tight race. Even 10th-place Briar Cliff turned in a solid 310.

“To shoot a 300, everyone has to contribute,” Muller said. “You can’t just have one or two guys play well. Today everyone played well and Russell Otten turned in the best round of his career so far with a two-over par 74.”

Individually, Shawn Rodehorst topped a quartet of Bulldogs who posted scores in the 70s. A two-time all-conference performer, Rodehorst will enter the second conference qualifier tied for seventh place with a 73. That puts him three strokes off of leader Matt Unruh of Nebraska Wesleyan.

Rodehorst climbed towards the top of the leaderboard by shaking off a rough hole 13. He followed with birdies on 14, 15 and 16 and just missed another one on 17 before closing at one over par.

Rodehorst may joke that the key to Friday’s record-breaking team performance had something to do with the Bulldogs’ ultra-competitive mini-golf tournament at a Ramada Inn during last week’s road trip, but Muller provides a different explanation.

“We’ve got depth in our program now where 1 through 12 it’s very tight,” Muller said. “It can be tough to decide who the top five are each week. At next week’s GPAC preview meet in Fremont we’re actually taking 11 because it’s that tight. Practices are much more competitive. Guys know they have to play well to keep their spots.”

Following behind Rodehorst were Otten (74 – T11th), sophomore Reid Wiebe (75 – T14th) and two more freshmen, Tyler Ehresman (78 – T29th) and Payton DeVencenty (86 – 52nd). The collective effort produced a score 17 strokes lower than the team’s best qualifier round from the 2013-14 season in which the Bulldogs tied for eighth (317-345-326-325–1,313). Wiebe, the Bulldog Booster Club male athlete of the week, entered play leading the team with an average of 74.5 after four season rounds.

Friday’s performance marked a massive team improvement considering last season Concordia individuals combined to card five scores in the 70s over all four GPAC qualifiers. Rodehorst collected three of those totals himself.

“Before the season, on paper I knew we were very talented,” Muller said. “I thought we had a lot of guys capable of shooting in the 70s, but you have to go out there and prove it. I’m very pleased with what we’ve done. Our top five has four new guys and they’ve made an immediate impact.”

The Bulldogs have three meets remaining on the fall schedule. Next up is the Midland Invite at Fremont Golf Club on Tuesday. The second and final GPAC qualifier of the fall will be held at the same course in Fremont on Monday, Sept. 29.

Muller’s group hopes to stay within striking distance of the top of the conference as the fall season closes.

“Our goal every year is to win the conference. This year it’s definitely realistic and attainable,” Muller said. “We have good depth. We just need solid play every time out. If we can shoot in that 295-300 range at every qualifier we’ll be in the mix.”

Otten claims medalist honors; Bulldogs tie for second with 300

FREMONT, Neb. – “We were mudders today,” Concordia University head golf coach Bret Muller quipped after Tuesday’s sloppy weather resulted in a 90-minute delay during the Midland Invite at Fremont Golf Club. While conditions were messy, the play of the Bulldog men’s golf team was anything but, as it carded a 300 for the second-straight meet – good enough to tie for second among 24 teams in the field.

Individually, freshman Russell Otten of Centennial, Colo., built off the 74 he shot at the Sept. 19 GPAC qualifier and carded a two-under-par 69 to win medalist honors in Fremont on Tuesday. That score ties senior Shawn Rodehorst for the best individual performance by a Bulldog this season.

“That was a great performance,” Muller said of Otten. “His ball-striking was fantastic. He hit 10 of 18 greens and had 25 total putts. He putted well and he had solid iron play. He had four birdies and only two bogeys.”

With Otten’s 69 and three identical scores of 77, Concordia carried over its momentum from the first GPAC qualifier when it set a program record for lowest score at a conference meet.

“The 300 today was fantastic,” Muller said. “The guys were actually a little bit disappointed when they went back through some shots here and there. A 295 is very realistic for us. Our guys are very hungry. They’ve made it their goal to win the GPAC.”

The three Bulldogs to turn in 77s on Tuesday were Rodehorst, sophomore Reid Wiebe and junior Matt Otten, a transfer from Central Community College. Each of them tied for 28th among the 125 golfers at the Midland Invite. The first Concordia grouping was rounded out by freshman Tyler Ehresman, who posted an 80 to tie for 52nd.

The second grouping of Bulldogs was paced by sophomore Jared Knoepfel’s 81. The remainder of the lineup included freshman Payton DeVencenty (83), junior Garrett Suchanek (83), sophomore Grant Worthington (85) and junior Brock Colclasure (86). The second Concordia team turned in a team score of 332 for an 18th-place finish.

Tuesday’s round served as a preview of GPAC Qualifier No. 2, which will be also be held at Fremont Golf Club and take place on Monday, Sept. 29. With a 300 in the first qualifier, the Bulldogs sit in fourth place, just one stroke off of second and six off of first-place Nebraska Wesleyan. Muller plans to use the same five who made up Tuesday’s first grouping in Fremont.

Rain or shine, Muller is confident his team will respond.

“It wasn’t fun today,” Muller said of the chilly and wet conditions. “I’m proud of our guys for settling in and battling through the elements.”

Bulldogs recover from slow start for sixth-place GPAC No. 2 finish

FREMONT, Neb. – Entering the day six strokes off the conference lead, the Concordia University men’s golf team hoped to keep up with the big boys at Monday’s GPAC Qualifier No. 2 held at Fremont Golf Club in Fremont, Neb. The Bulldogs’ team total of 312 placed them sixth on the day and fifth after two of four 2014-15 GPAC rounds complete.

A rough front nine prevented head coach Brett Muller’s squad from having a chance to keep pace with Midland, which shot an impressive 292 in perfect weather conditions on its home course.

“We just got off to too bad of a start on the front nine,” Muller said. “It really took us out of position to shoot a low team score, but I’m proud of how we regrouped the rest of the day. We were only four-over-par on the back nine. We were just in too big of a hole.”

Individually, freshman Russell Otten topped Concordia with a 74 on Monday. He entered the day tied for 11th and now has a two-round GPAC total of 74-75–149. Otten has moved up into a tie for eighth overall.

While the 312 team score represented a 12-stroke increase from the 300 the Bulldogs carded in each of their last two meets, it still bettered all four GPAC rounds from the 2013-14 season. The limiting factor on Monday was the inability of any individuals creep down into the low 70s as had been the case in GPAC No. 1.

“Out of Russell, Shawn (Rodehorst) and Reid (Wiebe), we typically have someone shoot a 74 or better. That just didn’t happen today,” Muller said. “But if you would have told me after the first nine holes that we would shoot a 312, I would have taken it today.”

Two Bulldogs followed Russell Otten with scores in the 70s on Monday – freshman Tyler Ehresman (77) and Rodehorst (79). Rodehorst, an all-conference performer two years running, has a 36-hole score of 73-79–152, putting him position to make another all-GPAC run. He sits in 17th. Ehresman has carded a 78-77–155 (tied for 23rd) halfway through GPAC competition.

The other two spots in Monday’s lineup were held down by junior Matt Otten (81) and Wiebe (82). It was Otten’s first career GPAC qualifier round. Wiebe has carded a total of 75-82–157 in league qualifiers.

All five Bulldogs improved their scores on the back nine at Fremont Golf Club. The group of five combined for a total of 204 on the front nine and then a 190 on the back nine. Ehresman turned in a 36 on his back nine to lead Concordia.

Now 21 strokes off of first-place Midland’s two-round lead, it won’t be easy for Concordia to achieve its aim of winning the conference and reaching the national championships.

“Heading into the second semester, our goal will definitely be to move up the standings,” Muller said. “After today we’re a ways back from Midland. It will be tough to chase them down.”

Through seven rounds this fall, Rodehorst has the Bulldogs’ top season average at 75.57. Wiebe (76.0) and Russell Otten (77.0) trail close behind.

The Bulldogs conclude the fall season Oct. 10-11 at the Nebraska Intercollegiate Meet set to take place at the Norfolk Country Club in Norfolk, Neb. Two more GPAC qualifiers will be held during the spring of 2015 to determine the conference champion.

Otten’s career low round leads to GPAC weekly golf honor

GPAC release

SEWARD, Neb. – It hasn’t taken long for freshman Russell Otten to make his mark on the Concordia University men’s golf program. Thanks to the career best two-under-par 69 he shot at the Midland Fall Invite on Sept. 23, Otten has been named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Golfer of the Week, as announced by the conference on Wednesday.

The native of Centennial, Colo., has made himself a fixture in head coach Brett Muller’s varsity lineup in all seven of the team’s rounds this season. After shooting an average of 80.25 through his first four rounds, Otten has found his groove and is averaging a 72.67 over his last 54 holes. He has lowered his overall season average to 77.0 (third on the team).

Otten is currently the highest ranking Bulldog in GPAC competition with his eighth-place standing after two conference qualifier meets. Otten has carded a 74-75–149 in the first two GPAC meets of his career, putting him in position to claim all-conference recognition when league tournaments resume in the spring.

Otten and the Bulldog men’s golf team finish their fall season with the two-round Nebraska Intercollegiate meet at Norfolk Country Club in Norfolk, Neb., on Oct. 10-11.

Men’s golf cards 316 on day one of Nebraska Intercollegiate

NORFOLK, Neb. – Playing in its final meet of the fall season, the Concordia University men’s golf team carded a 316 to place 10th among the field of 13 Nebraska institutions on day one of two at the Nebraska Intercollegiate Meet at Norfolk Country Club in Norfolk, Neb. Individually, senior Shawn Rodehorst and sophomore Reid Wiebe both shot 75s (tied for 17th) to top the Bulldog group of five and one individual on Friday.

While playing as an individual, freshman Payton DeVencenty followed Rodehorst and Wiebe with an 80 (tied for 47th). Freshman Russell Otten, named GPAC golfer of the week on Oct. 1, shot an 83 (tied for 62nd). Junior Matt Otten also collected an 83 and freshman Tyler Ehresman (tied for 67th) turned in an 84 to round out the Bulldog lineup.

The biggest positive head coach Brett Muller took away from Friday’s round was the play of Wiebe, who shook off an 82 last time out at GPAC Qualifier No. 2.

“Reid played better than his score shows,” Muller said. “He bogeyed 16 and double bogeyed 18. He was actually sitting at even par after 15 and then kind of limped into the clubhouse. But it was good to see him bounce back from his GPAC No. 2 score.

“He made an adjustment to his swing. He slowed it down today and that really helped him.”

The field of 13 teams is made up of six GPAC squads. Bellevue, Nebraska-Kearney and several Nebraska community colleges are also present at the tournament. Nebraska Wesleyan is the leader after day one with its score of 292.

With a strong second day, the Bulldogs have a shot to move up into the middle of the pack. Muller hopes for better results throughout his lineup on Saturday.

“Our guys at 3-4-5 struggled,” Muller said. “That’s the difference in why our team score was higher than we wanted. They know they need to improve. I think something around 300 is definitely attainable. If we play like we’re capable we could move up into the six or seven range.”

The field of 77 individuals was greeted by cool conditions but very little wind on Friday. Midland’s Renen Sahr took advantage and shot a six-under-par 66 to give him a four-stroke lead heading into round two.

Day two from the Norfolk Country Club picks up at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Following the Nebraska Intercollegiate, Concordia will resume the 2014-15 season in the spring.

Bulldogs move up three spots on final day of Nebraska Intercollegiate

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Concordia University men’s golf team closed its fall season on Saturday, carding a 312 at the Nebraska Intercollegiate meet in the second and final round of the tournament. The four-stroke improvement compared to Friday helped bump the Bulldogs (316-312–628) up from 10th place to seventh out of the 13 Nebraska institutions at the meet.

Individually, senior Shawn Rodehorst turned in the highest finish among Bulldogs, tying for 12th with a two-round 75-75–150.

Rodehorst’s 75s topped Concordia both days. Sophomore Reid Wiebe and freshman Rusell Otten followed Rodehorst on Saturday with 78s. Wiebe tied for 19th place with his cumulative score of 75-78–153. Otten tied for 48th by carding a 83-78–161.

The remainder of the lineup included freshmen Payton DeVencenty (80-82–162, T-54th) and Tyler Ehresman (84-81–165, T-58th).

Concordia ended up finish ahead of all the Nebraska community colleges that competed as well as one of Midland’s two teams at the meet. The Bulldogs finished five strokes behind sixth-place Doane. Hastings won the tournament by carding a 298-293–591.

Head coach Brett Muller’s squad concludes the fall season with a team average of 308.2 over six meets and nine total rounds. It achieved a season low score of 300 at both GPAC Qualifier No. 1 and the Midland Fall Invite. Rodehorst owns the team’s lowest individual average of 75.4. The best individual round of 69 was turned in by both Rodehorst (Siouxland Invite) and Russell Otten (Midland Invite).

The Bulldogs will resume the 2014-15 season this coming spring when two more GPAC qualifiers are held. The complete spring schedule is yet to be released.

First career tournament win boosts Jacoby to GPAC weekly recognition

GPAC release

SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman Emma Jacoby captured the first tournament victory of her career by claiming first place at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 on Oct. 6. On the strength of that performance, she was named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Golfer of the Week by the conference on Wednesday. The honor is also the first of Jacoby’s career.

The native of Lincoln, Neb., finished three strokes ahead of two second-place finishers at the final conference meet of the fall season. Jacoby’s 10-over-par 81 at the difficult Firethorn Golf Club course came up just one stroke shy of her career low 80 at the Peru State Invite on Sept. 21. Heading into the spring season, Jacoby (82-81–163) sits only a single stroke off the overall lead held by teammate Amy Ahlers (78-84–162) and Dakota Wesleyan’s April Barnett (78-84–162).

On the season, Jacoby ranks second among Concordia golfers with her season average of 85.2 over five meets and six total rounds. She has three top-five tournament finishes and four top-10 placements.

As a team, Jacoby and the Bulldogs are in third place (343-367–710) in the GPAC standings with two qualifier meets remaining. They are one stroke behind second-place Northwestern (334-375–709).

Golf programs take flight, carry momentum into spring season

By Jake Knabel, Director of Athletic Communications

The hiring of Brett Muller prior to the 2011-12 campaign marked the third head coach in three seasons for the Concordia men’s and women’s golf programs. Middling near the bottom of the GPAC standings, the program needed a stabilizing presence and an improved facility to call home.

What a difference a few years makes. As Muller’s Bulldog teams get set for the spring season, both have eyes on rising towards the top of the GPAC. The program that now calls Lincoln’s Highlands Golf Course home sits in third on the women’s side and fifth on the men’s side after two fall conference qualifier rounds. Just two seasons ago the men finished ninth and the women placed 11th among the 11 GPAC institutions.

Senior Shawn Rodehorst, who broke the men’s program record for lowest season average (75.15) as a sophomore, has been a key figure in the turnaround for the men’s program. He understands just what it took for Concordia golf to become relevant again.

“The rise of both the men's and women's teams is definitely thanks to Coach Muller,” Rodehorst said. “He works hard every day to make this team better. He has told me several times ‘I’m tired of losing’ and it is obvious he is doing everything he can to make this program a winner.”

Under Muller’s direction, Rodehorst has thrived, earning GPAC all-conference honors in back-to-back seasons. Rodehorst’s success helped bring in the likes of freshman Russell Otten (currently eighth on the GPAC leaderboard) and sophomore Reid Wiebe (27th in the GPAC).

On the women’s side, Concordia sophomore Amy Ahlers shares the conference lead with Dakota Wesleyan’s April Barnett and Bulldog freshman Emma Jacoby sits just a single stroke back entering the spring season.

Having one determined coach in place for four years has helped net an impressive return.

“The first thing I noticed that needed to be done when I started four years ago was to bring some stability to the program,” Muller said. “I was the third head coach in three years. For that first junior class, I was their third head coach. We needed stability for the team and kids who were being recruited needed to know that I expect to watch them graduate and be their coach for four years. That’s really helped on their end of things.”

The Concordia women had been coming off a last-place GPAC finish when Ahlers, a top-five state finisher at Boone Central High School as a junior and senior, weighed her collegiate options. GPAC power Dakota Wesleyan came hard after the Albion, Neb., native.

At the time, Muller didn’t have the same tradition of winning to sell Ahlers on. But discussions with Muller and a visit to the Concordia campus sealed the deal. Even with all the successful Dakota Wesleyan program had to offer, Ahlers wanted to aid in the building of a strong program at Concordia.

“Dakota Wesleyan was at the top of my list for quite some time,” Ahlers said. “They had the best golf program in the GPAC, along with an awesome coach. Being a part of a team like that was something I had always dreamed about. I wasn’t completely sold on it though. I was strongly advised to take a visit to Concordia by one of my really good friends in high school. When I walked onto campus, I immediately felt something special.”

In Ahlers’ first season, Concordia jumped from 11th to sixth in the conference standings. She placed fourth individually while bringing immediate respectability and legitimacy to Muller’s program building efforts.

The arrival of a new freshman phenom in Jacoby has helped bump the Bulldogs up another few notches entering the spring season. The chances taken by Ahlers and Rodehorst to join the Concordia golf programs paved the way for a wave of talented players to find their way to Seward.

“They showed trust in knowing that we are a program on the rise and we are moving in the right direction,” Muller said of this year’s class of newcomers. “That’s definitely helped to get some other players. Some of them have looked at it as they can come here and play right away but at the same time, they’re in a position where they can compete for a GPAC championship and move on to the national tournament.

“I’m very pleased where Emma’s at as a freshman. She won the second GPAC qualifier at Firethorn. She’s one shot out of first. I’m pretty excited to see what happens with Amy and Emma down the stretch at these last two GPAC qualifiers.”

Results have been similarly positive for the men. In back-to-back fall meets, Concordia posted a team score of 300 (one stroke above the program 18-hole record). Four different Bulldogs carded scores in the 70s as part of their team 300 at GPAC Qualifier No. 1 on Sept. 19 when they broke a school record for lowest score at a conference qualifier. They’re also on track to shatter the program record for lowest average round in a season.

“I truly believe this recruiting class we brought in can really change the program,” Rodehorst said. “In the fall, basically five of our top six guys were all new, and they have some years ahead of them to really improve and grow this team along with the core group we already had. I've known Reid for a long time and he's a tremendous talent.”

With several individuals capable of winning a tournament any given time out, both the Concordia men and women are positioned to reach new heights. The women will seek a second-place GPAC finish while the men (21 strokes off of first-place Midland) still believe they can make a run at the top spot.

Said Rodehorst, “We have high goals for this spring. We really believe that we can make some noise at GPAC No. 3 and be in contention for nationals at No. 4. If we can put ourselves in the conversation, I know we have the players to do something pretty special.”

The thoughts expressed by Rodehorst, a native of Kearney, Neb., are consistent across Muller’s rosters.

“I see such bright things in the future for Concordia women’s golf,” Ahlers said. “I truly feel that we have the potential to do things never accomplished before, and I can’t wait to see what happens. Getting to the national tournament no longer seems like such a far-fetched goal. I’m so excited to see what exactly the future does hold for my teammates and I and can’t wait to enjoy the journey along the way.”

Knoepful lands in top 10 after day 1 at spring-opening Bethel Invite

HESSTON, Kan. – Sophomore Jared Knoepful outperformed each of his teammates by seven strokes or more to highlight the opening day of the spring season for the Concordia University men’s golf team. After day one at the two-round Bethel Invite, Knoepful sits in a tie for eighth among the field of 109 individuals. As a team, Concordia shot a 337 and is in 17th place out of 19 squads.

Saturday’s team score represents a season high for a team that averaged a 308.2 during a solid fall season. The Bulldogs twice came within a stroke of the program record low of 299 in back-to-back meets in September.

Knoepful’s career best round (three-over-par 74) led the way for a group of six Bulldogs who hit the Hesston Park Golf course on Saturday afternoon. Head coach Brett Muller’s squad also featured junior Sam Simonson (81), freshman Russell Otten (82), freshman Payton DeVencenty (83), sophomore Reid Wiebe (85) and freshman Tyler Ehresman (87).

Other GPAC schools competing at the Bethel Invite include Hastings (fourth place), Dakota Wesleyan (seventh) and Doane (16th).

The tournament picks back up at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start on Sunday. The action will shift to Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kan.

Bulldogs improve on day 2 of Bethel Invite

NEWTON, Kan. – Playing as an individual, sophomore Jared Knoepfel backed up his career low round of 74 on Saturday by carding an 80 on Sunday to conclude the two-day Bethel Invite. As a team, the Concordia University men’s golfers sliced two strokes off their score from the previous day while enduring tougher conditions and a more difficult course at Sand Creek Station.

The Bulldogs carded a two-day total of 337-335–672 for 18th place out of 19 teams at the tournament. Due to an injury that sidelined two-time all-conference performer Shawn Rodehorst, Concordia counted only four individual totals to its team scores on both days of the event.

For head coach Brett Muller, the improvement on Sunday allowed the team to take something positive away from the tournament.

“It was great to see Reid (Wiebe) pull it together today,” Muller said. “Conditions were drastically better than yesterday. Today it was a lot windier. We’re not where we want to be, but it was a definite improvement.”

Knoepfel entered the day in a tie for eighth and held onto a top 20 spot, checking in at No. 19 amongst the loaded field of more than 100 competitors. Out of the four performers in the Concordia lineup, freshman Russell Otten got the best results with a consistent 82-82–164 to tie for 59th place. The rest of the Bulldog quartet included Wiebe (85-80–165) and freshmen Payton DeVencenty (83-84–167) and Tyler Ehresman (87-89–176).

In addition, junior Sam Simonson also played as an individual. He turned in an 87-89–176.

Concordia now has nine days before GPAC Qualifier No. 3 is held at Whispering Creek in Sioux City, Iowa, on April 7. The Bulldogs sit in fifth place in the conference standings with a two-round score of 300-312–612. Four total conference qualifiers are held over the fall and spring seasons.

“This tournament opened our eyes,” Muller said of the Bethel Invite. “We’re not where we need to be, but we have nine days to knock off the rust and player better in the GPAC qualifier.”

Bulldog women open spring season with 343 on day 1 at NWU spring invite

LINCOLN, Neb. – Each of the five Concordia University women’s golfers in head coach Brett Muller’s varsity lineup turned in scorers lower than their fall season averages as the Bulldogs teed off the 2015 spring season. As a team, Concordia shot a 343, good for a second place standing out of 10 teams (13 strokes off the lead) after day one of two at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite.

Individually, the top three in the Bulldog all sit in the top six on the individual leaderboard. Concordia sophomore Amy Ahlers, the defending Nebraska Wesleyan Invite champion, carded an 82, equaling the score posted by freshman teammate Emma Jacoby. Meanwhile, sophomore Kayla Krueger came in close behind with an 83.

“Our top three played very well,” Muller said. “To have three in the top six of the tournament puts us in great position. Kayla’s had some pretty low scores and practice. She had a 39 on Monday and that really gave her confidence coming in. All three had great approaches and took one hole at a time.”

After a bit of a rough start, Ahlers (tied for fourth) rebounded to produce her third lowest score out of seven 2014-15 rounds. On the other hand, Jacoby used a strong day at the tee box to overcome some struggles with her putting.

The lineup was rounded out by freshman Ashlen Pospisil (96) and sophomore Brenna Gnuse (97), who are tied for 43rd and 47th, respectively, on the leaderboard. Other Bulldogs in action on Wednesday were freshman Lauren Sperry (102) and senior Jenelle Hallaert (111), who competed as individuals.

Currently 13 strokes behind first-place Iowa Western Community College, Concordia still has a shot at a team title. Muller believes his Nos. 4 and 5 golfers will have to creep into the 80s on Wednesday in order for that to happen.

“It’s very tight where we’re at,” Muller said. “We need to play well to stay in second and we’ll need some help to come back and win. Making up 13 shots in one day is possible. Our 4 and 5 players will have to step up and shoot in the 80s.”

Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., entered the spring season with a season average of 83.2. Jacoby averaged an 85.2 in her first six collegiate rounds prior to Wednesday’s meet.

Day 1 of the tournament took place at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln. Day 2’s action will remain in Lincoln but will shift to Pioneers Golf Course. Thursday will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

Men’s golf slides back two spots after third GPAC qualifier

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Cold, damp miserable conditions greeted the field at GPAC Qualifier No. 3 held at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, Iowa, on Tuesday. The Concordia University men’s golf team carded a 337 amidst the misty weather. Through three conference rounds, the Bulldogs sit in seventh place with their total of 300-312-337–949. They are four strokes behind sixth-place Dordt.

Individually, sophomore Reid Wiebe led head coach Brett Muller’s squad with a 10-over-par 82 on Tuesday. Freshman Russell Otten remains Concordia’s highest-ranked individual on the overall leaderboard thanks to his three-round total of 74-75-83–232 (12th place).

After his squad turned in a Tuesday round well above its scores from the first two GPAC qualifiers, Muller hopes his team can rebound when the last of four conference rounds is held.

“Disappointing is the word that sums up today,” Muller said. “We didn’t take care of business. We played a practice round yesterday so we knew what to expect. Conditions today were similar, we just didn’t play well. The most disappointing aspect is that we have the talent to be in the top three of the conference.”

Concordia fell back in the conference standings despite the return of two-time all-conference performer Shawn Rodehorst to the lineup. Rodehorst carded an 86 – the highest score of his senior season. The native of Kearney, Neb., had posted totals of 80 or below in each of his first nine rounds.

The final two spots in the lineup were held down by sophomore Jared Knoepfel (86) and freshman Payton DeVencenty (100).

“Some guys played well in stretches, but they weren’t able to put 18 holes together,” Muller said. “We need to have complete rounds.”

Rodehorst retained a top 20 spot with his three-round score of 73-79-86–238. Wiebe (75-82-82–239) is just one stroke back in a tie for 22nd place. To qualify for the GPAC leaderboard, individuals must compete in every qualifier round. Knoepfel made his first GPAC appearance of the season while DeVencenty has participated in the first and third qualifiers.

Next up for the Bulldogs is the Wild West Invite at Wild Horse Golf Course in Gothenburg, Neb. (April 19-20). The final GPAC qualifier will be held on April 27 at Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City, Iowa.

“We have to find the right five for GPAC No. 3,” Muller said. “I expect guys to push each other and for us to have some real competitive practices.”

Wiebe tops group of nine Bulldogs on day one of Wild West Shootout

GOTHENBURG, Neb. – Sophomore Reid Wiebe led a group of nine Concordia University men’s golfers who competed on day one of two at the Wild West Shootout in Gothenburg, Neb., on Sunday. Wild winds greeted the field of 11 teams and 58 individuals who took the par 72 Wild Horse Golf Course.

Head coach Brett Muller’s team carded a team total of 341 and sits sixth on the leaderboard. Wiebe is currently tied for seventh individually with his nine-over-par 81. The team’s top player in senior Shawn Rodehorst, in terms of overall season average, again sat out.

Four other Bulldogs turned in scores in the 80s: freshman Russell Otten (84 – tied for 19th), sophomore Jared Knoepfel (87) and freshmen Payton DeVencenty (89) and Tyler Ehresman (89). The four other players to represent Concordia were juniors Brock Colclasure (90), Sam Simonson (92) and Garrett Suchanek (92) and sophomore Court Croghan (94).

Wiebe, a native of Sutton, Neb., entered the day with eight rounds of sub-80 scores during the 2014-15 season. He began the tournament with an 18-hole average of 77.7.

Wiebe will try to claim his second top 10 finish of the season when the Bulldogs resume action at Wild Horse. Play will pick up at 10 a.m. on Monday for the final round of the event.

Men’s golf completes season with sixth-place GPAC finish

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The 2014-15 campaign concluded for Concordia University men’s golf at Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City, Iowa, on Monday with the team’s lowest round of the spring season. The Bulldogs carded a 306 at GPAC Qualifier No. 4, finishing fourth on the day and sixth overall with a four-round GPAC score of 300-312-337-306–1,255. It marked an improvement of 58 strokes and two positions within the conference standings compared to the 2013-14 season.

Individually, freshman Russell Otten captured the highest finish among Bulldogs on the overall leaderboard. He placed 11th with a four-round total of 74-75-83-77–309. Sophomore Reid Wiebe tied a team conference qualifier low with a two-over-par 73 on Monday and completed his first Bulldog season in a tie for 16th place (75-82-82-73–312) in the conference. Making his final collegiate appearance, two-time all-conference performer Shawn Rodehorst (73-79-86-75–313) fell next in line with his 18th-place claim.

Muller was pleased to see each of his top three players return to shooting scores in the 70s.

“Today we performed at about what our average from the fall was,” Muller said. “It was good to see we still had that in us and were able to do it at a GPAC qualifier. We passed Dordt and moved to sixth and really salvaged the second semester.”

Rodehorst, who broke the program record for lowest single-season average (75.15) as a sophomore, recorded conference finishes of 18th, eighth, 21st and 18th, respectively, during his four-year stay that helped make Concordia a serious threat within the GPAC.

“Shawn was a staple the last four years,” Muller said. “He played at No. 1 for us and was all-GPAC the past two years. He’s a leader on and off the course. It’s great to have a guy like that in your program. It was really nice to see him go out on a high note.”

The final two spots in Monday’s Concordia lineup were filled by sophomore Jared Knoepfel (81) and freshman Tyler Ehresman (82). In two conference qualifier appearances, Knoepfel totaled a 167. Ehresman played in all GPAC meets except for No. 3 and carded scores of 78, 77 and 82.

The 2014-15 Bulldogs finished with a season average of 317.3 over 15 rounds. They turned in a season low 300 in back-to-back meets in the fall, including GPAC Qualifier No. 1 (Sept. 19).

With Rodehorst the only member of the varsity lineup set to move on, Concordia has high hopes for what the 2015-16 season will bring.

“With everyone coming back except for Shawn we expect to continue to move forward,” Muller said. “We have a recruit coming in we’re very excited about who will be in the mix for our top five. It should help us be better and make our practices even more competitive.”

Northwestern claimed the GPAC title with its cumulative score of 309-299-312-287–1,207. Individual medalist honors went to the Red Raiders’ Justin Kraft (73-72-76-71–292).

Golf programs rewrite school records during 2014-15 season

SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University golf programs broke numerous school records during the 2014-15 season that saw the Bulldogs continue their improvement. Both of head coach Brett Muller’s squads set new standards for team season average. The men posted a season mean of 317.1 while the women averaged a 352.5 per round in a record-breaking campaign.

In addition, the Bulldog men broke program records for lowest four-round GPAC qualifier score (1,255 – sixth place) while also toppling records for lowest scores at six other tournaments throughout the season. Individually, senior Shawn Rodehorst finished his run as a Bulldog with a school record for lowest career average (77.68). Rodehorst also owns the program record for lowest single-season average with his figure of 75.15.

On the women’s side, Concordia also eclipsed a school record for lowest four-round GPAC score (1,424 – fifth place) and set new standards at five other tournaments. Individually, all-conference performer Amy Ahlers tied a school record for lowest season average (82.0). She shot a career best 76 at Miracle Hill Golf Course on April 17 on the way to her fifth career tournament victory.

Golf school records broken in 2014-15

Men’s Individual Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Bethel Invite: Jared Knoepfel – 154
Nebraska Intercollegiate: Shawn Rodehorst – 150
Siouxland Invite: Shawn Rodehorst – 149
Palace City Invite: Reid Wiebe – 148
Sand Creek Station: Jared Knoepfel/Reid Wiebe – 80
Wild Oak: Shawn Rodehorst/Reid Wiebe – 73
The Ridge: Shawn Rodehorst – 69
Fremont CC: R. Otten – 69
Landsmeer: Reid Wiebe – 73

Career average: Shawn Rodehorst – 77.68

Men’s Team Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Nebraska Intercollegiate: 628
Siouxland Invite: 621
Wild Oak: 300
The Ridge: 302
Fremont CC: 300
Landsmeer: 306
Best GPAC Score: 1,255

Season team average: 317.1

Women’s Individual Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Wilderness Ridge: Amy Ahlers – 83
Pioneers GC: Amy Ahlers – 77
Landsmeer: Amy Ahlers – 85
Table Creek: Emma Jacoby – 80
Miracle Hill: Amy Ahlers – 76

Single-season average: Amy Ahlers – 82.0 (tied)

Women’s Team Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Briar Cliff: 338
Doane: 353
Nebraska Wesleyan: 340
Northwestern: 361
College of Saint Mary: 344
Best GPAC score: 1,424
Best 18-hole score: 338

Season team average: 352.5

Five Bulldog golfers named all-conference

All-GPAC: MEN | WOMEN

SEWARD, Neb. – After record-breaking seasons for head coach Brett Muller’s squads, a total of five Concordia University golfers were named all-conference by the GPAC on Monday. The list includes senior Shawn Rodehorst, who earned his third-consecutive all-conference award. He was joined on the team by sophomore Reid Wiebe. Meanwhile, the Concordia women placed sophomores Amy Ahlers and Kayla Krueger and freshman Emma Jacoby on the all-GPAC grouping.

Both all-conference golf teams are comprised of 15 individuals, including the top 10 performers based on cumulative GPAC qualifier scores. Five men and five women are awarded at-large all-conference recognition as voted upon by league coaches. Krueger, Rodehorst and Wiebe were at-large selections for the Bulldogs.

Rodehorst, a native of Kearney, Neb., enjoyed a record-setting career as a Bulldog. He helped make the program a contender within the conference while finishing his four-year run with program records for single-season average (75.15 as a sophomore) and career average (77.68). As a senior, Rodehorst averaged 76.4 over 11 rounds and placed 18th on the GPAC leaderboard. His highest career GPAC finish was eighth as a sophomore.

Wiebe, who hails from Sutton, Neb., tied for 16th in the GPAC with his four-round total of 75-82-82-73–312. He finished second on the team to Rodehorst in terms of lowest season average with his figure of 77.7 while playing in all 15 of Concordia’s 2014-15 rounds. His season low was a 72.

On the women’s side, Ahlers is already one of the program’s most accomplished performers. She has five career tournament wins, including two in 2014-15. Her season average of 82.0 as a sophomore equaled a program record. The native of Albion, Neb., remained in the hunt for a GPAC title going into the final qualifier before placing runner up with a four-round total of 78-84-83-85–330.

Jacoby, a native of Lincoln, Neb., won GPAC Qualifier No. 2 and ended up in a tie for seventh on the overall conference leaderboard (82-81-89-88–340). She posted a season average of 86.1 with five top-10 tournament finishes over 11 rounds in her first collegiate season.

Krueger took another step forward in her second season as a Bulldog, lowering her season average to 87.7 in 2014-15. She has garnered her first career all-conference honor after placing in a tie for 14th among GPAC golfers.

As a team, the women placed fifth in the conference (343-367-353-361–1,424) while the men finished sixth (300-312-337-306–1,255).

Ahlers and Rodehorst collect academic all-district honors

View Academic All-District selections

SEWARD, Neb. – Standouts on the course and in the classroom, Concordia University golfers Amy Ahlers and Shawn Rodehorst have both been named 2015 Capital One Academic All-District® 3 At-Large College Division first team choices, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday.

CoSIDA: “The Capital One Academic All-District® At-Large Teams have been released to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Capital One has been the entitlement rights holder to CoSIDA’s Academic All-America teams programs since 2011.”

Other Concordia All-District selections in 2014-15 include Brendan Buchanan (soccer), Chandler Folkerts (basketball), Jaydee Jurgensen (baseball), Adam Meirose (football), Bailey Morris (basketball), Rachel Mussell (soccer) and Melissa Stine (soccer). Folkerts was also named a second team academic All-American. Ahlers and Rodehorst are the eighth and ninth Concordia all-district picks this athletic season. Rodehorst has received the honor for the second-straight year.

Rodehorst, a native of Kearney, Neb., enjoyed a record-setting career as a Bulldog. He helped make the program a contender within the conference while finishing his four-year run with program records for single-season average (75.15 as a sophomore) and career average (77.68). As a senior, Rodehorst averaged 76.4 over 11 rounds and placed 18th on the GPAC leaderboard. The three-time all-conference performer’s highest career GPAC finish was eighth as a sophomore. Rodehorst earned his degree in business administration.

Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., is already one of the program’s most accomplished performers. The two-time all-conference honoree has five career tournament wins, including two in 2014-15. Her season average of 82.0 as a sophomore equaled a program record. The elementary and special education major remained in the hunt for a GPAC title going into the final qualifier before placing runner up with a four-round total of 78-84-83-85–330.

District 3 of the College Division covers institutions in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. At-large teams include athletes from the sports of fencing, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, swimming, tennis, men’s volleyball and wrestling.

Academic All-District® honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America® Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected and then released on May 27.

Men’s golf is tabbed with GCAA Academic Honors

SEWARD, Neb. – The men’s golf team has been selected to the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Academic Team. The honorees must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be placed on the GCAA All-Academic Team. The Bulldog squad was one of 12 chosen in the NAIA and one of 169 teams in the nation to receive the honor.

To be eligible for the GCAA All-Academic Teams, the school must submit the GPAs for each player on its official squad list for the academic year.

This selection is added onto more academic awards in the past season. Then senior Shawn Rodehorst and junior Garrett Suchanek were recognized as NAIA scholar-athletes in May.

This past season, the Bulldog men recorded a season team average of 317.1. The team also broke program records for lowest four-round GPAC qualifier score (1,255) and also crushed records for lowest scores at six other tournaments during last season.