Ahlers claims fifth career tournament win; Bulldogs place second
OMAHA, Neb. – Just 18 events into her impressive career, sophomore Amy Ahlers turned in her fifth tournament title as a Bulldog with a career best performance at the College of Saint Mary Spring Invitational on Friday. As a team the Bulldog women recorded a 344, good for a tie for second place among the seven teams at the 18-hole tournament.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad equaled the 344 put up by Northwestern while finishing higher than other GPAC teams in Briar Cliff (362), Dordt (369) and Midland (390) and future conference member and host College of Saint Mary (368).
“We knew going in that Peru State, Northwestern and us were the top three,” Muller said. “We had beat Peru State at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite, but we shot higher today at our 2 and 3 spots than what their averages were. Overall I’m very happy with our performance.”
Ahlers beat out the field of 43 golfers with her four-over-par 76. The native of Albion, Neb., set the tone for the day with a birdie on her first hole. She has now placed in the top five of 10 of the 18 collegiate tournaments she’s competed in.
“She got off to a great start with the birdie on the first hole and tuned at 37,” Muller said. “Her putter was on today. She made some long putts. Then she had a birdie on the back nine. Her only double bogey came on her last hole.
“To already have five tournament wins is very impressive.”
Bulldog sophomore Kayla Krueger notched the eighth top-10 finish of her career by tying for the No. 10 spot with her 86 at Miracle Hill Golf Course. In addition, freshman Ashlen Pospisil continued her spring improvement with a 90, knotting her for 18th on the leaderboard. Friday’s lineup also included freshmen Emma Jacoby (92 – T24th) and Brenna Gnuse (100 – 37th).
The team total of 344 ranks fifth best out of the team’s 10 rounds in 2014-15. This year’s Bulldogs broke the school record for lowest one-round score with a 338 on day one of the Briar Cliff Fall Classic on Sept. 25, 2014.
Only one meet remains on the 2015 spring schedule – GPAC Qualifier No. 4 at Landsmeer Golf Course in Orange City, Iowa, on Friday, April 24. Currently tied for third and just three strokes out of second, Concordia (343-367-353–1,063). Ahlers remains in the hunt for a GPAC title. Her three-round total of 78-84-83–245 puts her one stroke behind leader Lauren Fitts of Dakota Wesleyan.
Muller and the team have made it their goal to place second while Ahlers has eyes on earning a berth to the national tournament.
