Season Stats: WOMEN

2013-14 Women's Golf Schedule/Results

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 6	Morningside Invite	Sioux City, Iowa	4 of 10
Sept. 10	GPAC Qualifier No. 1 - Wild Oak GC	Mitchell, S.D.	7 of 11
Sept. 15-16	Nebraska Wesleyan Invite	Lincoln, Neb.	9 of 12
Sept. 23-24	NAIA National Preview - Wilderness Ridge GC	Lincoln, Neb.	13 of 18
OCTOBER
Oct. 2	GPAC Qualifier No. 2	Sioux City, Iowa	6 of 11 GPAC Standings
APRIL
April 8	Midland Invite - Fremont Golf Club	Fremont, Neb.	5 of 10
April 14	Nebraska Wesleyan Invite - Holmes GC	Lincoln, Neb.	CANCELED
April 15	Nebraska Wesleyan Invite - Pioneers GC	Lincoln, Neb.	4 of 10
April 23	GPAC Qualifier No. 3 - Fremont Golf Club	Fremont, Neb.	T6 of 11 GPAC standings
MAY
May 1	Mount Marty Invite - Fox Run GC	Yankton, S.D.	6 of 9
May 5	GPAC Qualifier No. 4 - Fox Run GC	Yankton, S.D.	7 of 11 GPAC standings

2013-14 Bulldog Women's Golf Roster

Name			Yr.		Hometown		Previous School
Amy Ahlers			Fr.		Albion, Neb.		Boone Central
Gretyl Bremer			So.		Grand Island, Neb.		Heartland Lutheran
Jenelle Hallaert			Jr.		Omaha, Neb.		Burke
Kayla Krueger			Fr.		Aberdeen, S.D.		Central
Melissa McIntosh			Jr.		Lincoln, Neb.		Northeast
Kristin Remm			So.		Doniphan, Neb.		Doniphan-Trumball
Allison Schieffer			Jr.		Fordyce, Neb.		Cedar Catholic

2013-2014 Coaching staff

Head Coach: Brett Muller

Assistant Coach: Corrie Johnson

Bulldog golf: 2013-14 season preview 

2 SEP 2013

MEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (third year)
2012-13 GPAC Finish: 10th (338-335-325-319–1,317)
Key Returners: Brock Colclasure (So.); Sam DeFreece (Sr.); Sam Mayhall (Jr.); Shawn Rodehorst (Jr.); Sam Simonson (So.); Garrett Suchanek (So.)
Key Newcomers: Court Croghan, Josh Hinrichs, Jared Knoepfel
2012 GPAC All-Conference: Shawn Rodehorst (8th – 82-78-72-70–302)

WOMEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (third year)
2012-13 GPAC Finish: 11th (415-392-398-401–1,606)
Key Returners: Gretyl Bremmer (So.); Jenelle Hallaert (Jr.); Melissa McIntosh (Jr.); Allison Schieffer (Jr.)
Key Losses: Makenzie Deutschman, Chelsea Peck, Madison Phillips
Key Newcomer: Amy Ahlers

Outlook:
Coming off significant improvement this past spring, the Bulldog golf programs see plenty of reason for optimism heading into the 2013-14 campaign under third-year head coach Brett Muller. The men will lean upon a host of returners, led by all-conference performer Shawn Rodehorst, while the women hope for a boost from incoming Boone Central High School product Amy Ahlers.

Despite finishes near the bottom of the GPAC last season, Muller believes things are beginning to come together for both programs.

“Obviously we just want to improve every year and be more consistent,” Muller said. “I’ve really seen a change in culture with Bulldog golf since I’ve been here. People are a lot more committed to the program and want to put in the extra time and get better. We just need to give 110 percent every practice and start taking strides forward.”

The obvious commitment of Rodehorst, a junior from Kearney, Neb., has set the standard for Concordia golf, literally. The business administration major broke school records last season for lowest season average (75.15 – 13 rounds), lowest two-round score at a single meet (71-73–144; Blue River Invite) and best GPAC qualifier finish (eighth), while becoming the first Bulldog to ever win the Blue River Invite.

With a laser-like mental focus and a golf game still on the rise, Rodehorst appears to be a contender for GPAC medalist honors as he begins the second half of his Concordia career.

“I don’t know if it’s an expectation (to win a GPAC individual title), but it’s something that I’d like to do,” Rodehorst said after the spring. “I’m not going to put any pressure on myself to do it. Just because I played well this spring doesn’t mean anything for the future. Yeah it gives you confidence and momentum, but at the same time it’s still just one shot a time and playing the best you can. After each round I do that, I’ll be happy no matter what.”

Backing Rodehorst is a group that entered last season an inexperienced bunch. Senior Sam DeFreece (84.09 average) and sophomore Sam Simonson (84.69) have the inside track on the second and third slots in the varsity lineup after competing in a combined 24 meets in 2012-13. DeFreece placed 32nd on the GPAC leaderboard, while Simonson tied for 34th.

The rest of the returning top six includes sophomore Brock Colclasure (87.33), junior Sam Mayhall (86.33) and sophomore Garrett Suchanek (87.00). They will be pushed by incoming freshmen such as Court Croghan (Seward, Neb.), Josh Hinrichs (Hastings, Neb.) and Jared Knoepfel (Fremont, Neb.).

“We have the top six on the men’s side coming back and then add some newcomers into that so I expect practices to be very competitive to see who the top five are,” Muller said. “The biggest thing I’m looking for going into the fall season is consistency and we need those guys to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.”

Clearly the Bulldog men are further along than they were at this point a year ago. With one of the conference’s elite golfers to go with a deeper, more experienced group, expectations will be higher this time around.

“I’m pretty excited, pretty optimistic,” Muller said. “Our goal is definitely to finish in the top half of our conference. It’s about getting off to a good start. Last year we kind of dug ourselves too big of a hole at the first two qualifiers with being so young and having a couple tough rounds at the qualifiers, but we played much better second semester. We’ve just got to come out and be ready to play right away.”

The Bulldog women were hit much harder in the offseason with the graduation of Makenzie Deutschman, Chelsea Peck and Madison Phillips. Both Deutschman and Peck garnered all-conference recognition in 2011-12 and were mainstays at the top of the varsity lineup. Says Muller, “All three seniors will definitely be missed.”

In other words, it’s time for juniors Jenelle Hallaert (104.91), Melissa McIntosh (100.58) and Allison Schieffer (109.5) to step up their games. Both Hallaert and McIntosh improved their averages during the second semester and appear primed for better in 2013-14.

“Janelle and Melissa have played every varsity match since they’ve been here so I’m excited to see the strides they’ve made,” Muller said. “Then Ali really came on last year. We also have (sophomore) Gretyl Bremmer, who will be in her second season with us. She played in one match last year and really improved. We have a good core of girls here.”

However, it could be freshman Amy Ahlers, a Boone Central High School product, who emerges as the team’s top golfer on the women’s side. She comes to Concordia with impressive high school credentials.

“I’m excited to see what she can do for us,” Muller said. “She actually medaled all four years of her high school career at state. She’s a three-time team champion. She had a great summer. She tied for third in the Nebraska girl’s amateur tournament, shooting 76-77. She will definitely be someone we expect to come in right away and make a push for all-conference.”

Muller thinks Ahlers, an Albion, Neb., native, can consistently card scores of 80 or lower and hopes that the rest of the varsity lineup falls in line not too far behind.

“Chelsea and Makenzie will be hard to replace,” Muller said. “They were just pretty steady, solid golfers. We just need some other girls to step up. Obviously having Amy probably golfing in our one spot will help. If we can get her around 80 or better that will be great and just have the others be consistent.”

The Rodehorst-led Bulldog men will get the season started at the Siouxland Invite, which begins Thursday and ends on Friday. The women begin Friday at the Morningside Invite.

Freshmen Krueger and Ahlers pace Bulldogs at Morningside Invite 

6 SEP 2014

After losing its top three performers from last season, Concordia women’s golf is experiencing a youth movement at the top of the lineup. Freshmen Kayla Krueger and Amy Ahlers shined in their collegiate debuts on Friday at the Morningside Invite as Concordia carded a team score of 381 and finished in fourth place among the 10-team field.

Krueger, a native of Aberdeen, S.D., and Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., settled in nicely for head coach Brett Muller. Krueger placed in a tie for fifth (out of 77) on the individual leaderboard with an 87 while Ahlers placed 10th with an 89.

“They have definitely separated themselves from the pack,” Muller said. “They have consistently been in the high 30s and low 40s in practice (at Seward Country Club). I’m excited to see them progress. It’s great to see them come in and be ready to go right away.

“They are definitely individuals that can come in and take the program to the next level.”

Juniors Melissa McIntosh (T30 – 97), Allison Schieffer (64 – 108) and Jenelle Hallaert (T73 – 120) rounded out the remainder of the lineup in the team’s season-opening event.

It will be a quick turnaround for Bulldog women’s golf as the team now looks forward to GPAC Qualifier No. 1 on Tuesday in Mitchell, S.D. This will be the first of four conference qualifier competitions throughout the 2013-14 athletic season.

Muller says he will use the same varsity lineup on Tuesday with Krueger and Ahlers again expected to lead the charge.

McIntosh's career best day highlights first GPAC qualifier 

10 SEP 2013

MITCHELL, S.D. – Concordia junior Melissa McIntosh saved a career best performance for Tuesday’s first GPAC women’s golf qualifier round of the 2013-14 season. McIntosh posted a team low score of 87 to pace the Bulldogs at Wild Oak Golf Course in Mitchell, S.D. As a team, Concordia shot a 366, placing seventh among the 11-team field of GPAC participants.

“That was the best we’ve shot in the last few years at a qualifier,” Bulldog head coach Brett Muller said. “Our goal was a 360. To be at 366 was not too far off. Had we played better on our front nine, we would have been right there. I’m pleased with how we did.”

McIntosh’s 87 also represents a better individual score than any Bulldog women’s golfer posted at the four conference qualifier events last season. The departed Chelsea Peck (’13 graduate) carded Concordia’s lowest GPAC rounds last season, twice shooting a 92 on the way to finishing in a tie for 29th individually.

McIntosh’s score is a significant improvement from the 97 she shot at last week’s Morningside Invite. Her previous career low was a 95.

“The difference for her was her putting,” Muller said. “She only had one three-putt, which is fantastic. She really improved her game from last year. She worked hard over the summer and our coaching staff noticed that. It’s nice to see that work pay off with the score she had today.”

While McIntosh’s current tie for 18th-place GPAC standing leads Concordia, the Bulldogs’ pair of standout freshmen fell in line close behind. Amy Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., carded an 89 and Kayla Krueger, a native of Aberdeen, S.D., shot a 92. Ahlers and Krueger sit in 22nd and 30th place, respectively, after Tuesday’s round.

Muller said both showed some nerves on the front nine and then calmed down to complete solid first collegiate conference-qualifying efforts.

Juniors Allison Schieffer (98) and Jenelle Hallaert (118) rounded out the lineup that Muller traveled to Mitchell. Both knocked strokes off their scores from the Morningside Invite as Schieffer improved by 10 strokes and Hallaert lowered her total by two.

As a team, Concordia chopped 15 strokes off its 381 from four days ago. The Bulldogs’ 366 is also a huge decrease from last season’s top qualifier round of 392.

Muller was happy to see all five Bulldog golfers post lower scores on the back nine.

“We didn’t play well on the front nine,” Muller said. “They really bounced back and showed resilience.”

The Bulldog women will return to action for the two-day Nebraska Wesleyan Invite beginning on Sunday in Lincoln. GPAC Qualifier No. 2 will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 2 in Sioux City, Iowa.

“We have two more invites before GPAC No. 2 and we expect to improve progressively,” Muller said.

Ahlers' 87 leads the way on day oen at NWU Invite 

15 SEP 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. - Concordia freshmen Amy Ahlers and Kayla Krueger continued their solid early-season play on day one of two at the Nebraska Wesleyan Fall Invite at Highlands Golf Course in LIncoln, Neb., on Sunday. Ahlers carded an 87 and Krueger followed close behind with an 88.

Ahlers sits 21st on the individual leaderboard while Krueger is tied for 22nd. Those efforts were easily the top-two performances on the day for the Bulldogs, who rest in ninth amongst the 12-team field. Head coach Brett Muller's squad carded a 380 as a team.

Juniors Melissa McIntosh (T55 - 102) and Allison Schieffer (T58 - 103) and sophomore Kristin Remm (T58 - 103) made out the rest of the varsity lineup on Sunday.

Play will continue on Monday at 10 a.m. from Holmes Golf Course in Lincoln.

Ahlers paves way for season best team performance 

16 SEP 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. – Freshman Amy Ahlers capped a stellar effort at the two-day Nebraska Wesleyan Invite by shooting a team best 81 on Monday in Lincoln, Neb. Ahlers finished in a tie for 17th on the individual leaderboard for a Bulldog squad that set a new season low with a 359 on Monday’s round two. As a team, Concordia placed ninth amongst the field of 12 squads at the invite with a two-day total of 380-359–739.

“We have a very young team and we know there will be some bumps,” Bulldog head coach Brett Muller said. “But I’m very pleased overall with today’s round. I know it was a different course today, but to improve by 21 strokes over yesterday’s score is great.”

Junior Melissa McIntosh made the biggest improvement from day one to day two. After carding a 102 on Sunday, the Lincoln native slashed 12 strokes off her score by shooting a 90 on Monday at Holmes Golf Course. That allowed McIntosh to move up into a tie for 49th overall.

Freshman Kayla Krueger carded a 93 on Monday on the heels of an 88 on Sunday. Her two-round 181 placed her second on the team and tied for 32nd among the 69 individuals who qualified for the leaderboard.

Sophomore Kristin Remm (55th – 103-95–198) and junior Allison Schieffer (61st – 103-102–205) held down the Nos. 4 and 5 spots in the varsity lineup at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite. In all, four of the five Concordia competitors improved their scores on day two of the event.

Through four rounds of golf, Ahlers has been incredibly consistent, shooting scores of 89, 89, 87 and 81. Her average of 86.5 leads Concordia and is nearly two strokes better than the Bulldogs’ lowest average during the 2012-13 season. Krueger is not far behind with scores of 92, 87, 88, 93, for a 90.0 average.

“Amy showed how good she can be,” Muller said. “She has given us what we expected when we recruited her. She has a very good short game. She’s spent a lot of time on it. The putts dropped for her today. She had two birdies on par 5’s on her back nine.”

The meet marked the first varsity experience for Remm, a native of Doniphan, Neb. She will continue to battle junior Jenelle Hallaert, among others, for the final spot in the lineup. Those positions are determined by play offs at practice.

Bulldog women’s golf will be off until Sept. 23-24 when it takes part in the NAIA National Championships Preview meet at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course in Lincoln. The Bulldog men will hit the links on Tuesday at Wilderness Ridge in Lincoln for the Doane Invite.

Freshmen again top Bulldogs on day one at NAIA Preview 

23 SEP 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. – For the third-straight round of Bulldog women’s golf, freshman Amy Ahlers carded the team’s lowest score. On a particularly windy day one of the NAIA National Championships Preview meet on Monday, Ahlers shot an 86 (14-over-par), coming in just under her season average of 86.5 entering play. As a team, the Bulldogs sit in a tie for 13th place among 18 teams in the field with a score of 388.

“Just like we talked about last week on the men’s side, this is one of the tougher courses we play at all year,” Concordia head coach Brett Muller said. “And we definitely let the (windy) conditions affect us more than they should have. We need Kayla (Krueger) and Melissa (McIntosh) to be right around 90 and hopefully have the other two in the 90s or right around 100.”

However, Concordia’s runner-up to Ahlers trailed behind by 12 strokes on the difficult course at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb. Fellow freshman Kayla Krueger turned in a 98 after averaging an even 90.0 through her first four collegiate rounds. Krueger carded three-consecutive pars on holes 12 through 14, but she hit a rough patch with double bogeys each on 16 and 17 and completed the round tied for 63rd on the individual leaderboard.

Ahlers performed most consistently with seven pars on the day. She also had nine bogeys and two double bogeys as part of a solid overall day. She is tied for 21st place, nine strokes off the leader – Nicole McDonald of Grand View (Iowa).

“She actually hit the ball a lot better than her score indicated,” Muller said of Ahlers. “She struggled around the greens and that was something that really frustrated her. Her short game is normally a strength. I am pretty sure she’ll come back and be one that improves the next day.”

McIntosh (T-66th – 100), sophomore Kristen Remm (T-75th – 104) and junior Allison Schieffer (89th – 120) filled out the rest of Muller’s lineup on Monday. Muller noted that McIntosh was the only one of the Bulldog quintet who had previously played at Wilderness Ridge.

“We’ve got a lot of optimism going back tomorrow,” Muller said. “Talking to the team on the way back, they all feel like they can improve and move up. If they can each improve about 10 spots we’ll have a chance to pass some teams and finish in the top nine.”

Action at the NAIA National Preview meet at Wilderness Ridge continues on Tuesday with round two beginning at 9 a.m.

Ahlers places 20th at NAIA National Preview meet 

24 SEP 2013

LINCOLN, Neb. – Concordia freshman golfer Amy Ahlers improved by one stroke and one placement as the second and final day of the NAIA National Preview meet held at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb., came to a conclusion. Ahlers’ 20th-place individual finish highlighted the meet for a Bulldog squad that placed 13th out 18 teams at the 36-hole tournament.

Concordia finished with a two-day total of 388-381–769, meaning the team improved its Monday round by seven strokes on the challenging Wilderness Ridge course. The Bulldogs’ turned in the 12th lowest round among the participants on Tuesday.

Ahlers carded an 86-85–171 for the tournament. The Albion, Neb., native posted two birdies, six pars, five bogeys and five double bogeys on Tuesday. She came through with four-consecutive pars on holes 9 through 12. She birdied Nos. 1 and 16. Her team-leading average sits at 86.17 through six rounds of action this fall.

“I thought Amy played very well,” Concordia head coach Brett Muller said. “She hit the ball very well again today. She easily could have been in the 70s, but she still had a good score. To finish 20th place is a great finish in this tournament. This was as stiff of competition as we’ll play against all year.”

Freshman Kayla Krueger of Aberdeen, S.D., came in next with a 98-94–192 to place in a tie for 56th. She recorded four pars, seven bogeys and seven double bogeys on the day.

Concordia’s 3 through 5 spots were held down by junior Melissa McIntosh (64th – 100-95–195), sophomore Kristen Remm (83rd – 104-107–211) and Allison Schieffer (88th – 120-107–227). Schieffer improved the most of any Bulldog between the two days, knocking 13 strokes off of her Monday total.

Through six rounds, Concordia women’s golf has put up scores of 381, 366, 380, 359, 388 and 381 for an average of 375.83.

Bulldog women’s golf will finish up the fall season with GPAC Qualifier No. 2 in Sioux City, Iowa, on Wednesday, Oct. 2. As a team, Concordia sits in seventh place in the conference after shooting a 366 at the first qualifier meet. McIntosh is the Bulldogs’ highest ranking individual. She is tied for 18th with her first-round 87.

“At the beginning of the year we talked about averaging a team score of 360 at the four qualifiers,” Muller said. “That would put us at fifth or sixth. Right now we’re at seventh and we can definitely pass some teams in the GPAC.”

Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City will serve as the venue for next week’s qualifier event. It’s the same course where the Bulldogs played at on Sept. 6 for the Morningside Invite. Krueger tied for fifth at the meet with an 87.

GPAC Qualifiers Nos. 3 and 4 will take place in the spring.

Ahlers garners GPAC Golfer of the Week accolades 

9 OCT 2013

SEWARD, Neb. – A strong performance at the Oct. 2 GPAC qualifier meet has netted Concordia freshman Amy Ahlers recognition as one of two GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Golfers of the Week, as announced by the league on Wednesday. It’s the first such honor in the career of the Albion, Neb., native.

Ahlers earns Golfer of the Week thanks to the 80 she shot last week at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, Iowa.  That score tied Dakota Wesleyan’s Lauren Fitts for the top round on the day. Ahlers, a product of Boone Central High School, is currently tied for eighth on the GPAC leaderboard with her two-round total of 89-80–169.

At the conclusion of seven fall rounds, Ahlers’ 85.29 average tops Concordia. Her 80 last week set a new career low, topping her previous best score of 81, which she carded on day two of the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite on Sept. 16.

Ahlers and the Concordia women’s golf team will return to the course in the spring when the final two GPAC qualifying tournaments are held.

FEATURE: Ahlers closes fall season in impressive fashion 

7 NOV 2013

By Jake Knabel, Sports Information Director

It didn’t matter that Concordia freshman Amy Ahlers had just completed her first career collegiate golf meet. For the native of Albion, Neb., an 89 just would not fly.

“I was really disappointed. I’m not going to lie,” Ahlers said. “At the beginning it was so frustrating because during the summer I played so well. I was really hoping I could come into college playing that way. It happens and it’s just the game of golf.”

Ahlers, who led Boone Central High School to three team state championships, expects near perfection every time she hits the course. That’s why her scores of 89, 89 and 87 in her first three meets as a Bulldog felt perplexing. The game had typically come naturally for the former Nebraska Class C all-stater, who had gotten used to success.

“At first it was just a lot of change,” said Ahlers of the adjustment that comes with being a collegiate student-athlete. “It was frustrating because my golf game wasn’t there anymore and I didn’t know where to find it. My timing was off and nothing seemed to be working, but as I started adjusting it got better and it came back slowly.”

Things clicked on Oct. 2 when head coach Brett Muller’s women’s team competed for the final time this fall. Ahlers birdied her first hole to set the tone for her best collegiate performance to date. She ended up carding an 80, placing her in a tie for first on the individual leaderboard at the second GPAC qualifier meet.

Though she finished the fall season with an average of 85.29 in seven rounds, her final outing provided a clearer picture of what Ahlers appears capable of. After placing third over the summer at the Nebraska Girl’s Amateur Championship, expectations grew even larger.

Muller thinks Ahlers may have placed too much pressure upon herself.

“Amy started off the first few tournaments with scores a little bit higher than both her and I expected,” Muller said. “I think a lot of this has to do with how hard she worked this summer. She really wanted to prove how good she could be. That last couple of tournaments she just relaxed and had fun again.”

That effort lifted Ahlers’ spirits and put her in prime position to collect all-conference honors. She sits eighth in the conference after two GPAC meets with two more to come in the spring (top 10 receive all-conference recognition). She vaulted all the way from 22nd after GPAC Qualifier No. 1 into the top 10 to close the fall.

“It felt really good. I had no idea,” Ahlers said of the Oct. 2 finish. “I didn’t think it was going to happen. I kind of messed up the last hole. I should have come in in the 70s and I wanted that really bad, but I was really excited with it overall. I’m excited that things kind of started turning around.”

That date could be looked back one day as a turning point in her collegiate career – the time where she triumphed over adversity and regained the form that made her such a prized recruit coming out of Boone Central.

The turnaround hardly came as a surprise for Muller, who knew one of the reasons for her high school success was her ability to put behind a negative outcome.

Kick her to the ground? She’ll get right back up. A double bogey? She’ll birdie the next hole.

“The biggest strength to Amy’s game is her mental toughness,” Muller said. “She always wants the team to do well. She knows for the team to do well we need her focused on every shot. She refuses to let a bad shot or bad hole affect her entire round.”

Those qualities were evident as Muller watched Ahlers soar to great heights on the Nebraska prep scene. Naturally, there was plenty of competition for the highly-sought after star.

GPAC women’s golf heavyweight Dakota Wesleyan came hard after her. It would come down to the Tigers and the Bulldogs. Ahlers admitted the choice was not easy.

“It was a really tough decision,” Ahlers said. “I’m not good at making decisions anyway. It was not easy. I looked at Dakota Wesleyan really hard. I ended up choosing where I felt like I fit in best and what program would fit me. I’m really happy with my decision and I don’t regret anything.”

Ahlers credits her parents, Terry and Nancy, for her growth in the sport of golf. She says their patience and encouragement to attend a golf camp in South Carolina after eighth grade made a big difference.

Off the course, Ahlers has bonded with her mother through similar hobbies. Ahlers has cataloged her golf success through scrapbooking – something she and Nancy often do together.

“As I was growing up, my mom and I always spent a lot of time in our craft room together,” Ahlers said. “It was always so much fun. Through my high school years I had a lot of golf articles from newspapers and stuff so I would cut those out and scrapbook those to make sure I could keep all those memories.”

If Ahlers’ latest outing is any indication, she will need to make plenty more room in the scrapbook. The best is surely yet to come for the elementary education major with a passion for working with kids.

“I expect Amy to continue to move up in the GPAC standings,” Muller said. “She is better than her fall average. I believe Amy’s best golf is ahead of her. Don’t be surprised to see some scores in the 70s from her (this spring).”

The right mental approach might be all Ahlers needs to make that happen.

“I think I just have to go out and play my game and be confident in what I know I can do,” Ahlers said. “I think I can do it by not worrying about what everyone else is doing and not trying to compete with them and just playing my own game. I think I’ll be all right.”

Golf programs set to move home course to Highlands 

7 FEB 2014

SEWARD, Neb. – Director of Athletics Devin Smith and third-year head golf coach Brett Muller are excited to announce that the Concordia University golf programs have found a new home. Beginning this spring, Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln will serve as the home course for both the men’s and women’s Bulldog golf teams.

Highlands, located on 5501 NW 12th Street – about a 25-minute drive from the Concordia campus, provides many advantages. The course includes a complete 18 holes and offers an impressive practice facility. The new home will also allow Concordia to be part of the rotation to host future GPAC qualifier meets.

“This venue change assists us with fostering a first class student-athlete experience for our Bulldog golf teams,” Smith said. “It also positions our programs for future competitive greatness.”

Added Muller, “Our program is extremely excited about this development and thankful for the partnership with Highlands Golf Course. This move takes our program to another level and gives us a top-notch course for practice. We’re also very excited to now be part of the GPAC qualifier rotation and for the opportunity to host meets. In addition, I’m confident that the use of Highlands will be a boost to recruiting.”

Concordia has previously used Seward Country Club, a nine-hole course, for practice purposes. Seward Country Club also played host to portions of the Blue River Invite in past seasons.

Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska, is an 18-hole, championship, public golf course designed in 1993 by Jeff Brauer. The course has matured beautifully and offers sweeping, rolling terrain that makes the course a pleasure to play. Varying wind conditions can offer a great challenge to the golfers.

The course stretches out to over 7,000 yards from the gold markers with a total of four different tees to choose from (White; 5,280 yrds, Blue; 6,022 yrds, Black; 6,523 yrds). The links style course is designed to offer a fair but challenging test for all playing abilities. The course is always in good playing condition. Highlands also has one of the best practice facilities in the Midwest and a pro shop that is well stocked with name brand golf equipment and apparel.

Golf begins spring season Saturday at Bethel Invite 

28 MAR 2014

SEWARD, Neb. – Head coach Brett Muller’s men’s golf squad resumes the 2013-14 season this weekend at the Bethel College Invite. The meet will play out over two days with Saturday’s round taking place at Hesston Golf Park in Hesston, Kan., before action shifts to Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kan., on Sunday. Shotgun starts both days will see the Bulldogs begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

The women’s team will open the spring season on Tuesday, April 8 at the Midland Invite held at the Fremont Golf Club.

Following two fall GPAC qualifiers, the Concordia men rest in ninth place (317-345–662) while the women are fifth (366-374–740). The men are 11 strokes better than they were this time a year ago. The women have made a 67-stroke improvement over their standing at the end of the 2012 fall season.

Junior Shawn Rodehorst, who battled a nagging hip injury in the fall, led the Concordia men with a fall average of 79.38 in eight rounds. The native of Kearney, Neb., is more than capable of lowering his average. As a sophomore Rodehorst broke the school record with a mean score of 75.15. The 2012-13 all-conference performer currently sits 27th in the GPAC (78-86–164) after two qualifiers.

Freshman Jared Knoepfel put together a solid fall season and is the highest rated Bulldog in the GPAC standings. Knoepfel carries a GPAC qualifier score of 83-78–161 (tied for 15th) into the spring. Knoepfel averaged 82.63 over eight fall rounds.

Muller’s men’s squad lost freshman Josh Hinrichs (79.75) who left at semester, but Concordia has a deep team equipped to handle the departure. Freshman Court Croghan (84.25, four rounds), sophomore Brock Colclasure (84.63, six rounds), junior Sam Mayhall (85.0, six rounds), senior Sam DeFreece (85.60, five rounds), sophomore Sam Simonson (86.0, eight rounds) and sophomore Garrett Suchanek (86.14, seven rounds) give Muller plenty of options when filling out his varsity lineup.

The Bulldog women have received a huge boost this season from the dynamic freshman duo of Amy Ahlers (85.29, seven rounds) and Kayla Krueger (90.86, seven rounds). Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., stands a great shot to earn all-conference honors. She enters the fall in a tie for eighth place on the GPAC leaderboard after shooting 89-80–169 at the first two qualifiers.

Women's golf places fifth in opening meet of spring season 

8 APR 2014

FREMONT, Neb. – Freshman Amy Ahlers paced the Concordia University women’s golf team on Tuesday as it teed off for the first time this spring. As a team, the Bulldogs placed fifth out of 10 at the Midland University Spring Invite, held at Fremont Golf Club.

Concordia ended up with a team score of 390 on the par 73 course that totaled a distance of 5,847 yards.

“I am not disappointed with where we finished as a team,” head coach Brett Muller said. “I know in two weeks when we return for GPAC Qualifier No. 3 we will expect to shoot much better. Overall, I thought we hit the ball OK. Our short game needs to improve.”

Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., came in just under her fall average of 85.29 as she shot an 85. Her consistent 43 on the front nine and 42 on the back nine allowed her to place in a tie for fifth amongst the field over more than 70 golfers.

The rest of the Concordia lineup included sophomore Kristin Remm (97 – T-24th), freshman Kayla Krueger (100 – T-37th) and juniors Allison Schieffer (108 – T-51st) and Melissa McIntosh (109 – 54th).

The Midland Invite was made up entirely of GPAC teams. Dakota Wesleyan carded a 335 to win the tournament.

Concordia women’s golf will be in action again April 14-15 when the two-day Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite takes place in Lincoln, Neb. The first round will be held at Holmes Golf Course before shifting to Pioneers Golf Course for day two.

Ahlers claims first at NQU Invite, Bulldogs card team season low 

15 APR 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. – Freshman Amy Ahlers claimed medalist honors and the Concordia University women’s golf team recorded a season low score of 358 at Tuesday’s Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite. The Bulldogs placed fourth among the field of 10 teams that competed at Pioneers Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.

Concordia’s team total of 358 edged its 359 from the Nebraska Wesleyan Fall Invite for its best performance of the 2013-14 campaign. Tuesday’s round also marked a 32-stroke improvement compared to the Bulldogs’ 390 turned in at the Midland Invite on April 8 and was the best team effort in head coach Brett Muller’s three seasons at Concordia.

“Overall the team played great,” Muller said. “We had three shoot in the 80s to give us a chance to put up 358 as a team. It was good to see all five improve from the Midland Invite.”

For Ahlers, her 80 equaled the season low that she posted at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 on Oct. 2, 2013. Ahlers tied with two others for first but earned the tiebreaker based on her lower scores in the handicap holes.

As someone with lofty expectations, Ahlers wanted more after starting with a 38 on her front nine.

“You’re not going to believe it but she was actually disappointed,” Muller said. “She really just wants to play a complete round. Once she breaks 80 the first time I think she will consistently be in the 70s. It’s a mental block for her. She’s done it multiple times in high school and summer events.”

Fellow freshman Kayla Krueger also medaled with a 10th-place finish on the strength of her 86. Krueger came into the spring with an average of 90.86 in seven fall rounds.

It was also a breakout day for sophomore Kristin Remm, who shot a career best 89 and tied for 13th among the field of more than 50 golfers.

The final two spots in the lineup were held down by juniors Melissa McIntosh (103) and Allison Schieffer (103).

One of eight GPAC teams at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite, Concordia finished in front of Morningside (369), Midland (372), Doane (375), Briar Cliff (379) and Hastings.

“This was just a glimpse of the type of players we have,” said Muller, who believes his team can be even stronger down the stretch.

The Bulldogs have their most important date of the early spring season coming up on April 23 when GPAC Qualifier No. 3 at Fremont Golf Club takes place. Concordia (366-374–740) sits fifth in the conference after two fall GPAC qualifiers. Individually, Ahlers is tied for eighth with her two-round total of 89-80–169.

Ahlers' medalist honors at NWU Invite leads to GPAC weekly recognition 

23 APR 2014

SEWARD, Neb. – On the strength of medalist honors at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite on April 15, Concordia freshman Amy Ahlers has been named GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Golfer of the Week, as announced by the league on Wednesday. The native of Albion, Neb., earned the same honor on Oct. 9, 2013, during the fall season.

Ahlers carded a seven-over-par 80 at last week’s meet to best the field of 49 competitors at Pioneers Golf Course in Lincoln. That score tied a career low for Concordia’s top golfer. Ahlers carries a team best average of 84.67 through nine rounds, including seven that took place during the fall.

Currently tied for eighth on the GPAC leaderboard after two qualifier events, Ahlers expects more as she closes her first collegiate season.

“You’re not going to believe it but she was actually disappointed,” head coach Brett Muller said after the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite. “She really just wants to play a complete round. Once she breaks 80 the first time I think she will consistently be in the 70s. It’s a mental block for her. She’s done it multiple times in high school and summer events.”

Ahlers and four other Bulldogs were in action today (Wednesday) at GPAC Qualifier No. 3 at Fremont Golf Club in Fremont, Neb. The first tee times were scheduled for 12 p.m.

Wind and rain no bother for Concordia freshman at GPAC No. 3

23 APR 2014

FREMONT, Neb. – Blustery and rainy conditions failed to stop Concordia freshman Amy Ahlers from shooting an 80 to outperform all 54 individuals at Wednesday’s GPAC Qualifier No. 3. Ahlers, named the GPAC golfer of the week earlier on Wednesday, also tied for first at the second qualifier with an identical 80. Her 89-80-80–249 has her in fourth place on the overall leaderboard.

As a team, head coach Brett Muller’s Bulldogs tied for sixth on Wednesday with a 383. Through three qualifiers, Concordia’s total of 366-374-383–1,123 ranks fifth in the conference standings.

Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., is the biggest reason why the Bulldogs have improved so drastically from their 11th-place conference finish from a year ago.

“I’m proud of Amy,” Muller said. “This is the third tournament she’s won already. That’s pretty impressive. I don’t think we’ve ever had someone win a GPAC qualifier on the women’s side.”

After shooting a 43 on her front nine, Ahlers came back in a big way. She parred on her 10th and 11th holes before a key birdie on 12 that set her up to out-pace the runner up by three strokes.

The rest of Concordia’s lineup fell in well behind Ahlers. The other four Bulldogs carded scores of 98 or higher: freshman Kayla Krueger (98 – 31st), juniors Allison Schieffer (101 – T36) and Melissa McIntosh (104 – T45) and sophomore Kristin Remm (106 – T49).

Krueger, a native of Alberdeen, S.D., is next in line after Ahlers among Bulldog leaders. Krueger has totaled 92-84-98–274 for a current 19th-place standing in the GPAC.

“Kayla was disappointed. She’s definitely a better player than what she showed today,” Muller said. “She had a couple bad breaks and she didn’t hit the drive as well as she normally does. That’s what hurt her.”

All in all, it’s been a major rebound season for a squad that finished at the bottom of the conference in 2012-13.

“It’s a pretty tight conference,” Muller said. “Five through 10 are within 15 shots of each other. Teams are jockeying for position as we come down to GPAC No. 4. I don’t know if we can catch Mount Marty (fourth place) but we’re trying to hold onto No. 5, which is a vast improvement from last year.”

The Bulldogs are back in action Thursday, May 1 for the Mount Marty Invite at Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D. Concordia will return to the same course on Monday, May 5 for GPAC Qualifier No. 4 – the final meet of the 2013-14 season.

Albion's Ahlers collects second straight GPAC golfer of the week award 

30 APR 2014

SEWARD, Neb. – An outstanding freshman season continues for Concordia’s Amy Ahlers, who on Wednesday was named GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Golfer of the Week for the second-straight time and for the third time overall in her young career. This past fall she received the honor on Oct. 9, 2013.

A native of Albion, Neb., Ahlers shot a seven-over-par 80 at last week’s GPAC Qualifier No. 3 to take first place on the day and earn her third tournament victory of the season. Ahlers moved up to fourth on the individual leaderboard with her three-round qualifier total of 89-80-80–249.

“I’m proud of Amy,” head coach Brett Muller said after the meet on April 23. “This is the third tournament she’s won already. That’s pretty impressive. I don’t think we’ve ever had someone win a GPAC qualifier on the women’s side.”

Ahlers leads the team with an average of 84.40 over 10 rounds in 2013-14. Over her first 54 holes of the spring, she has carded a mean score of 82.33.

The former Boone Central High School star and the rest of the Concordia University women’s golf team returns to action on Thursday with the Mount Marty Invite at Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D. They will return to the same course on Monday (May 5) for GPAC Qualifier No. 4.

Women's golf places sixth at Mount Marty Invite 

1 MAY 2014

YANKTON, S.D. – On Thursday it was the Concordia women’s golf team’s turn to take its hacks at Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D., the same place the men’s golfers competed at twice over the past week. The Bulldog women placed sixth out of nine teams with a team total of 387 at the one-day Mount Marty Invite.

Reigning two-time GPAC golfer of the week Amy Ahlers topped the Bulldogs with a 90 to tie for 12th among the field of more than 55 competitors in Yankton. She entered play with an average of 84.4, but windy conditions were a limiting factor for Ahlers and many others in the field.

The rest of the Concordia lineup was filled out by freshman Kayla Krueger (97), sophomore Kristin Remm (99) and juniors Allison Schieffer (101) and Melissa McIntosh (103).

The Bulldogs will conclude the 2013-14 season on Monday with GPAC Qualifier No. 4. Concordia (366-374-383–1,123) will enter the final round of qualifier action in fifth place. Ahlers (89-80-80–249) is fourth on the individual leaderboard as she looks to claim all-conference honors (top 10).

Women's golf finishes sixth in GPAC; Ahlers locks up all-conference honors

5 MAY 2014

YANKTON, S.D. – In a season of dramatic turnaround, the Concordia University women’s golf team went from 11th in the GPAC in 2012-13 all the way up to the middle of the pack in 2013-14. Led by freshman Amy Ahlers, the Bulldogs were one stroke away from a season low at Monday’s season-ending GPAC Qualifier No. 4 amid near perfect golf conditions at Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D.

Ahlers ended the season by shooting a 359 on the way to finishing sixth overall with a cumulative GPAC total of 366-374-383-359–1,482. The Bulldogs cut 124 strokes off their qualifier total from the previous season. Individually, Ahlers shot an 11-over-par 83 on Monday to secure a tie for fourth on the conference leaderboard (89-80-80-83–332).

“Going from 11th to sixth has a lot do with the two freshmen – Amy Ahlers and Kayla Krueger,” head coach Brett Muller said. “We hope that shooting one of our lowest team scores all season helps us build momentum. We’re not where we want to be but we took a step in the right direction this season.”

Ahlers, who had claimed first-place finishes at the second and third qualifiers, settled in on Monday after a slow start on her first few holes. She placed 13th on the day to record her ninth top-20 finish in 10 meets (12 rounds) in 2013-14. The Albion, Neb., native topped the team with a season average of 84.6.

“Today she got off to a slow start. She bogeyed her first three holes,” Muller said. “I think she put a lot of pressure on herself knowing she had to have a really low score to win the GPAC. Once she calmed down she was much better.”

Krueger (Aberdeen, S.D.) carded an 85 on Monday, just one stroke off her season low of 84 at GPAC Qualifier No. 2. That allowed Krueger (92-84-98-85–359) to move up three spots to No. 16 in the conference standings. She held down the No. 2 spot in the Bulldog lineup throughout the season and finished with a season average of 91.8.

The rest of the Concordia lineup included sophomore Kristin Remm (94) and juniors Allison Shieffer (97) and Melissa McIntosh (103). Schieffer (98-106-101-97–402) placed 34th and McIntosh (87-110-104-103–404) 35th. Remm did not qualify for the leaderboard because she did not compete at GPAC Qualifier No. 1. In three qualifiers, Remm totaled a 304.

Of the seven golfers on the roster, two are freshmen, two are sophomores and three are juniors. Muller expects continued improvement in 2014-15.

Dakota Wesleyan won the GPAC title with its cumulative score of 1,308, 59 strokes better than runner up Northwestern. Dakota Wesleyan also had the top two individuals in Lauren Fitts (318) and Chelsea Burback (324).

Ahlers officially named to women's golf all-conference team 

14 MAY 2014

SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman Amy Ahlers had already locked up a spot on the 2013-14 GPAC women’s golf all-conference team by placing fourth in the league. On Wednesday the conference officially named Ahlers to the 15-member all-GPAC squad. Teammate and fellow freshman Kayla Krueger received honorable mention.

Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., quickly established herself as a top golfer in the GPAC. She twice won outright or tied for conference medalist honors over the four league qualifiers. The former Boone Central High School star accumulated a 72-hole GPAC total of 89-80-80-83–332. Over 12 rounds throughout the season, Ahlers led Concordia with an average of 84.6. She finished in the top 20 in nine of 10 meets.

Krueger backed Ahlers as the Bulldogs’ No. 2 golfer. The native of Aberdeen, S.D., placed 16th in the GPAC (92-84-98-85–359), fueled by a season low 84 at the second conference qualifier. She finished with a mean score of 91.8 with three top-10 finishes while competing in all 10 meets.

Hallaert and McIntosh reel in scholar-athlete honors 

22 MAY 2014

SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University women’s golfers Jenelle Hallaert and Melissa McIntosh have been named 2014 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, as announced by the NAIA on Thursday. Both juniors have received the honor for the first time in their careers.

Hallaert, a native of Omaha, is an art therapy and psychology major. McIntosh, who hails from Lincoln, is majoring in elementary education.

In order to be nominated by an institution’s head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Concordia ranks as the NAIA’s all-time leader in number of Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes with 973 and counting. (This figure includes all 54 Concordia scholar-athletes announced so far for 2013-14). During the 2012-13 academic year, Concordia had 71 Scholar-Athletes and 17 NAIA Scholar-Teams.

A total of 118 NAIA women’s golf student-athletes across the nation were named 2013-14 scholar-athletes by the NAIA.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb., that currently serves over 2,200 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world.