STORM LAKE, Iowa – Day two of the Buena Vista University Fall Invite (Sept. 16-17) was more like it for the Concordia University Women’s Golf team. The Bulldogs cut 18 strokes off their team total from Saturday while shooting a 342 on Sunday. Concordia settled for seventh place (out of 10) in the final team standings in the event that took place at Lake Creek Golf Course in Storm Lake, Iowa. The field featured 61 golfers from mostly NCAA Division III squads with Nebraska NAIA members College of Saint Mary and York University also sprinkled in.
Head Coach Brett Muller’s five competitors combined to card a two-round team score of 360-342–702. The Bulldogs managed to leapfrog Simpson College (Iowa) with the solid day two outing. They were only two strokes behind CSM for sixth place.
“Today was much better for us,” Muller said. “Unfortunately, a lot like the Lila Frommelt Classic, we really struggled in the first round. We are getting closer to the scores we expect but are struggling with some big numbers. With four rounds this past week, we will take tomorrow off before focusing on bouncing back at the Hastings Invite.”
Four of the five Concordia golfers shot in the 80s on Sunday, led by the nine-over-par 81 from sophomore Emery Custer, who equaled a collegiate personal best for a single round. Custer climbed into a tie for seventh on the final individual leaderboard (85-81–166). In doing so, the Broken Bow, Neb., native earned the third top-10 tournament claim of her collegiate career. In backing her efforts, Logan Eschliman (89-86–175) and Maddie Lewis (92-86–178) both shot 86 on Sunday. Eschliman finished in the top 20.
The Buena Vista Invite marked the third tournament of the season and second of the week for the Bulldogs. The 342 turned in on Sunday in Storm Lake was just one stroke off the team low of 341 in round two of the Frommelt Classic.
Concordia scores at Buena Vista Invite:
--Par 72
TEAM: 360-342–702 (7th/10)
T7. Emery Custer: 85-81–166
T19. Logan Eschliman: 89-86–175
T28. Maddie Lewis: 92-86–178
T42. Mya Nurse: 94-89–183
T53. Jennifer Gillotti: 96-96–192
The next official varsity event will be the Hastings Invite on Sept. 25-26. Select members of the program will compete at the College of Saint Mary Fall Invite this coming Wednesday. That tournament will be held at Miracle Hill Golf Course in Omaha.