YANKTON, S.D. – Led by the likes of Lauren Havlat and Logan Eschliman, the Concordia University Women’s Golf team shot a 351 as it opened the 2022-23 season at the Mount Marty Fall Invite on Thursday (Sept. 1). Concordia is one of eight institutions represented at the two-day tournament, which features 11 team groupings and 60 individual golfers. The first round took place at Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D.
Head Coach Brett Muller’s women’s golf program is coming off a fifth-place GPAC finish last season. The Bulldogs are currently tied for seventh at the Mount Marty Invite as they move on without star Kendra Placke, who graduated as one of the top players in program history.
The results after day one are as follows for Concordia golfers:
• Lauren Havlat – 81 (+9); 14th place
• Logan Eschliman – 85 (+13); T-21st place
• Mya Nurse – 87 (+15); T-25th place
• Ashley Gerczynski – 98 (+26); 45th place
• Sarah Wilson – 102 (+30); T-48th place
• Ericka Kroeker – 113 (+41); 55th place
For Havlat, the 81 marked a career low that bested the 82 she shot at the 2021 Prairie Wolves Invite. Similarly, Eschliman set a new personal standard while going lower than her previous best of 86. Meanwhile, Nurse was just shy of her career low of 86. A Norris High School alum, Havlat is the team’s top returner having averaged an 18-hole score of 89.3 in 2021-22. She earned Honorable Mention All-GPAC honors last season. Notably, the lineup figures to get a boost once freshman Emery Custer of Broken Bow, Neb., is able to make her collegiate debut later this season.
Day two of the Mount Marty Invite is slated to get started at 10 a.m. CT on Friday from Hillcrest Country Club. Realistically, Concordia could still finish as high as sixth place if it can leapfrog College of Saint Mary (344). The Bulldogs are tied with Dordt while situated in front of Doane (397).