LINCOLN, Neb. – Conditions were slightly improved on day two of the Concordia Bulldog Spring Invite, which was characterized by chilly temperatures and persistent wind. Ultimately, the Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Golf team placed ninth out of 13 squads while battling the cold weather at its home course, Highlands Golf Course, on Tuesday and Wednesday (April 1-2). With junior Emery Custer leading the way, the Bulldogs managed to slash six strokes off their round one total.
Head Coach Brett Muller’s squad shot 352-346–698 over the two rounds in an event that had originally been scheduled for three rounds. Muller’s program welcomed 76 golfers to Lincoln for a tournament that has been held seven times in its history.
“I thought we put together a pretty strong tournament field with the schools we had,” Muller said. “It’s disappointing we only had one of our girls finish inside the top 20 on our home golf course. It was cold and windy, but it was the same for all 76 girls playing in the event. We definitely had some bright spots, but we needed more. Emma McCoy had a good tournament. She had two of the better scores of her career. She continues to improve. We had several girls with good stretches of golf. We just haven’t been able to complete many rounds. We’ll be focused on our short game and improving our consistency.”
A GPAC All-Conference honoree from Broken Bow, Neb., Custer shot an 83 in both rounds in performing in line with her 2024-25 season scoring average (82.5). Custer tied for 18th place at a Concordia Invite featuring competitors from eight GPAC institutions. Custer has now placed in the top 20 of three events throughout her junior campaign. Fellow junior Maddie Lewis (86-84–170) followed closely behind as she improved in round two. Lewis birdied hole 4 on Wednesday and wound up tying for 26th place individually.
In the third and fourth spots in the Bulldog lineup, senior Jennifer Gillotti (92-89–181) and freshman Savannah McFalls (91-90–181) wound up even for 51st place overall. Both competitors made progress compared to round one. Rounding out the group, senior Sarah Wilson shot 98-95–193. Additionally, four Concordia golfers competed individually. Sophomore Emma McCoy carded 93-91–184 and paced the second crew. McCoy’s 91 represented a career low. All Bulldog scores from the tournament are included below.
Bulldogs at the Concordia Invite
TEAM: 352-346–698 (+122)
T18. Emery Custer: 83-83–166
T26. Maddie Lewis: 86-84–170
T51. Jennifer Gillotti: 92-89–181
T51. Savannah McFalls: 91-90–181
65. Sarah Wilson: 98-95–193
T56. Emma McCoy: 93-91–184
T69. Makenzie Hughes: 95-104–199
71. Abigail Kollbaum: 102-108–210
72. Audra Poffinbarger: 116-95–211
From a team perspective, Concordia beat other ‘A’ teams from Hastings, Nebraska Wesleyan and Midland. Doane emerged with the team championship by shooting 319-316–635, holding off the University of Nebraska-Kearney ‘B’ team coached by Bulldog alum Shawn Rodehorst. UNK’s Sofia Wildeman won a playoff for the individual title.
Next up on the spring slate will be the Kaitlyn Erickson Invite hosted by Doane on April 14-15. Action on the first day will take place at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club before shifting to Pioneers Golf Course on day two. Both courses are located in Lincoln.