Bulldog women conclude season with two GPAC qualifier rounds

DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. – A postponement of the third GPAC qualifier event forced Concordia women’s golfers and the rest of the conference to play 36 holes on Friday to complete the 2012-13 season. The Bulldogs finished off a trying campaign with a two-round team total of 398-401–799 on Friday, placing them near the bottom of the GPAC standings.

Senior leader Chelsea Peck carded the team’s lowest score on the day with a 92-104–196, but that left her well short of all-conference honors. Peck felt the pressure to play well and move up from her 27th-place positioning entering the day. After garnering all-GPAC last season, the Lincoln native had hoped to vault into the top 10 with a solid outing to close the season.

“Chelsea got off to a great start shooting a 43 on her first nine holes,” Coach Brett Muller said. “Then she had some bad breaks and lost a little bit of confidence. She put a lot of pressure on herself to get back into that all-conference range. It just didn’t go her way.”

Sophomore Melissa McIntosh was right behind Peck after shooting 98-100–198. Sophomore Janelle Hallaert took third for the Bulldogs, shooting 101-98–199. Senior Madison Phillips (107-100–207) and sophomore Allison Schieffer (110-103–213) rounded out the Concordia lineup at the final GPAC qualifiers.

“The four (other than Chelsea) shot about what I expected they would. Chelsea had a rough day and caught some bad breaks. We needed her to play well to have a good day as far as the team score.”

The grueling two-round slate on Friday proved difficult for many fellow GPAC golfers as scores hovered a bit lower than would otherwise be expected. The circumstances tested each golfer beyond sheer talent and mental focus.

“Playing 36 holes today not only took a toll on us but on everybody,” Muller said. “The scores were higher than you would normally see even though the conditions were the best we’ve had all spring.”

Dakota Wesleyan wound up winning the GPAC team title as the Tigers posted the lowest scores in both Friday rounds to strengthen their grip on first place.

Three of the five Bulldogs who golfed on Friday will be back in the fold in 2013-14. Concordia will say goodbye to seniors Chelsea Peck and Madison Phillips.