2017-18 Women's Golf
*Placed 10th in the GPAC (383-376-377-368--1,504) | Season Stats
Mount Marty Fall Invite (Aug. 31 - Sept. 1) | Fox Run GC / Hillcrest CC | Yankton, S.D.
Midland Fall Invite (Sept. 11) | Fremont GC | Fremont, Neb.
Lila Frommelt Fall Classic (Sept. 15-16) | Two Rivers GC | Dakota Dunes, S.D.
CSM Fall Classic (Sept. 27) | Miracle Hill GC | Omaha, Neb.
GPAC Fall Championships (Oct. 9-10) | The Bluffs GC | Vermilion, S.D.
CSM/Midland Spring Invitational (April 5) | Miracle Hill GC | Omaha, Neb.
Kaitlyn Erickson/Doane Invite (April 12) | Wilderness Ridge GC | Lincoln, Neb.
Concordia Bulldog Invite (April 19-20) | Highlands GC | Lincoln, Neb.
GPAC Spring Championships (April 27-28) | Quail Run GC | Columbus, Neb.
Ahlers, Sears claim top 10 finishes in Fremont
Mar 27, 2017
FREMONT, Neb. – The spring season officially got underway for the Concordia University women’s golf team on Monday at the Midland Spring Invite. Among the six Bulldogs to take the course, senior Amy Ahlers and freshman Murphy Sears were the top performers. Both finished inside the top 10 in a field of 54 individual golfers.
As a team, head coach Brett Muller’s squad turned in a 397 while navigating Fremont Golf Club. That total tied for seventh place.
“Amy led the way for us again today,” Muller said. “Her ball striking was the best it’s been during her senior year. She made a couple of bogeys that she normally doesn’t make. Murphy is working through a few adjustments in her swing. Once these become habit for her, I expect her to be shooting in the 70s. As a team, we struggled adjusting to greens and had way too many three putts. We have plenty of work to do before our next event on Sunday.”
A three-time All-GPAC performer, Ahlers came in under her season average by carding an eight-over-par 81 on Monday. The native of Albion, Neb., carded one birdie and nine pars on the day. Ahlers has placed in the top 10 of all five tournaments during the 2016-17 campaign. Meanwhile, Sears shot an 88 (+15) and tied for sixth place, marking the third top-10 finish of her career.
The four other Bulldogs at the meet were Payton DeMers-Sahling (101), Lauren Sperry (108), Madison Pitsch (120) and Paighton Barbre (124).
Next up for Concordia is the Bent Tree Intercollegiate in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Sunday. The meet will take place at Bent Tree Golf Club.
Bulldogs improve by six strokes on final day of Bent Tree Showcase
April 3, 2017
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – While competing on the second and final day of the Bent Tree Showcase in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the Concordia University women’s golf team cut six strokes off its score from Sunday by shooting a 361 on Monday. Individually, senior Amy Ahlers carded a two-day total of 78-81–159 and placed eighth out of 74 golfers in the field at Bent Tree Golf Club.
As a team, head coach Brett Muller’s squad placed ninth (367-361–728) in its second official event of the spring season. The Bulldogs managed to place above GPAC rivals College of Saint Mary (10th) and Doane (11th).
“Lauren Sperry shot a 97, which was a personal best for her,” said assistant coach Shawn Rodehorst. “She was pretty pumped. She knows she can do better. Murphy (Sears) actually shot a 37, but she followed it up with a 45. Everyone is showing glimpses. We need more practice. We haven’t been able to get outside too much. With more practice we can put it all together.”
Ahlers has yet to finish outside the top 10 of any of the six tournaments she’s played at in 2016-17. She now has 29 career top-10 finishes in 36 events during her run as a Bulldog. Since the beginning of her sophomore campaign, she’s missed out on the top 10 only twice in 26 outings. Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., also has nine career tournament wins.
“She was fairly solid,” Rodehorst said of Ahlers. “She struggled like everyone else on the greens. With not mowing the greens, they were very wet and had a lot of sand on them. That caused some problems, but she’s hitting the ball about as well as she has. We just have to get the putter going a little bit.”
Five teammates joined Ahlers at the Bent Tree Showcase: Murphy Sears (90-92–182), Payton DeMers-Sahling (97-101–198), Lauren Sperry (102-97–199), Madison Pitsch (118-113–231) and Paigton Barbre (125-115–240). Barbre made the biggest improvement from the first round to the second, shaving a full 10 strokes off her total. Meanwhile, Sears, a freshman from Crete, Neb., has been the team’s No. 2 golfer behind Ahlers all season.
Next up for Concordia women’s golf is the Morningside College Invite on Wednesday, April 12. The meet is slated to begin at 11 a.m. CT from Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, Iowa.
Ahlers equals own school record, claims 10th tournament title
April 12, 2017
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Senior Amy Ahlers did Amy Ahlers things on Wednesday. Perhaps the most accomplished golfer in program history, the Albion, Neb., native equaled her own school record for lowest single round while tearing it up at Whispering Creek Golf Club on Wednesday. In the process, Ahlers seized the 10th tournament victory of her Bulldog career and also broke the Whispering Creek women’s course record.
As a team, head coach Brett Muller’s squad placed eighth with a total of 365. It marked Concordia’s third lowest score of the 2016-17 season, which has included 10 rounds.
The numbers have been staggering for Ahlers, who has placed inside the top 10 in 30 of 37 career events played. On Wednesday, her one-under-par 71 was exactly the same score she turned in on Sept. 18, 2015 at the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic. Not only does Ahlers own the program single-round record, she also set the school standard as a junior for lowest single-season average (80.79) and holds the Green Valley Golf Club (Sioux City) course record. Her average this season is now down to 80.73.
After chipping in for eagle on her 17th hole, Ahlers putted for birdie on her final hole. She finished with a par, keeping her at one under.
“She did a great job putting herself in position off the tee,” Muller said. “She stayed out of trouble and gave herself a lot of chances from the fairway. She actually had three, three putts that hurt her a little bit, but the chip and the birdies she had really helped.”
Ahlers was joined at the event by teammates in freshman Murphy Sears (88, T-17th), junior Lauren Sperry (102, T-48th), freshman Payton DeMers-Sahling (104, T-51st) and Madison Pitsch (115, 56th). A native of Crete, Sears carded a score just above her season average.
“Our last three round have been better,” Muller said. “We need to continue to improve and get into the 350s at conference and maybe even push for something in the 340s.”
The final meet before the spring GPAC championships will be the Kaitlyn Erickson Invite hosted by Doane. It will take place at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln next Tuesday (April 18).
Bulldogs place third at Erickson Invite
April 18, 2017
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Concordia University women’s golf team beat out four of its five conference rivals that competed at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln on Tuesday. Led again by senior Amy Ahlers, the Bulldogs placed third out of seven total teams in the field.
Concordia turned in a team score of 363 in Tuesday’s meet hosted by Doane. That score marks the third lowest total by head coach Brett Muller’s squad in 2016-17.
Ahlers was fresh off her school record-tying one-under-par 71 at last week’s Morningside Invite. In her latest performance, the native of Albion, Neb., recorded 12 pars, finished with an eight-over-par 80 and claimed sixth place. She’s achieved a top-10 placement at all eight events during the 2016-17 campaign.
Like usual, freshman Murphy Sears fell in next in line with an 87 that equaled her season average. That effort placed her in a tie for 14th place out of 53 individuals. The rest of Concordia’s five-member team included sophomore Madison Pitsch (97, T-24th), freshman Payton DeMers-Sahling (99, T-28th) and junior Lauren Sperry (103, T-36th). Competing individually, freshman Paighton Barbre finished with a 102.
The Erickson Invite marked the first time this season that the Bulldogs had four individuals score under 100 in the same round. The third-place finish was also the highest as a team in 2016-17. They entered the meet with a season team average of 380.27.
All that remains on the 2016-17 schedule are the GPAC Spring Championships, set to take place at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb., April 28-29. A full three rounds will play out over those two days. Back in the fall, the Bulldogs shot a team score of 386 at the first round of this season’s GPAC championships. They sit in ninth place.
Ahlers collects seventh career GPAC weekly award
April 19, 2017
SEWARD, Neb. – Time is running out on the remarkable collegiate golf career of senior Amy Ahlers, but the honors are still pouring in. On Wednesday (April 19), Ahlers was awarded the distinction of Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Golfer of the Week. This marks the seventh time that Ahlers has reeled in conference weekly accolades.
The latest award for the three-time All-GPAC performer and CoSIDA Academic All-American stems from her efforts at the Morningside Spring Invite on April 12. Ahlers beat out a field of 56 golfers while equaling her school single-round record with a one-under-par 71. That score also represented a women’s course record at Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City, Iowa.
The native of Albion, Neb., was back in action on Tuesday at the Kaitlyn Erickson Invite hosted by Doane. Ahlers placed sixth, turning in an 80. Her season average through 12 rounds now rests at 80.67, which would break another record she already owns – for best single season average in program history (Ahlers averaged 80.79 as a junior in 2015-16). Ahlers has claimed 10 tournament victories and has placed in the top 10 in 31 of 38 career events.
Ahlers and the women’s golf team will conclude the 2016-17 campaign at the GPAC Spring Championships, April 28-29, at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb. Fifty-four holes will be played over the course of the two-day event. Ahlers will aim for yet another top-five GPAC finish following placements of fourth as a freshman, second as a sophomore and third as a junior.
Ahlers climbs to second place after 36 holes of GPAC golf
May 1, 2017
COLUMBUS, Neb. – With round two of the GPAC women’s golf championships in the books, senior Amy Ahlers has climbed from sixth to second on the conference leaderboard. Already a three-time top five GPAC finisher, Ahlers is making a run at her first career conference title. As a team, the Bulldogs moved past Doane and are tied for eighth following Monday’s action at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad now has a two-round GPAC score of 386-378–764. The GPAC championships will wrap up with the final two rounds set to be played on Tuesday.
Ahlers is attempting to track down Mount Marty’s Logan Wagner (77-77–154) for the title. On Monday, Ahlers shaved seven strokes off her score from the GPAC championship round played back in the fall. Her latest efforts resulted in a four-over-par 76 for the lowest score in the field. Ahlers was particularly good on the front nine, turning in an even par 36. She birdied on 2 and 7.
“Amy’s in a much different mindset than she has been in the past going into the conference tournament,” Muller said. “She knows this is her last chance to win a conference and hopefully move onto nationals. She definitely has more of an attack mindset. She’s going to continue to execute that plan tomorrow.”
Ahlers’ previous conference finishes were fourth as a freshman, second as a sophomore and third as a junior. The native of Albion, Neb., has won 10 events in a career that has stood out as the best in program history. Her season 18-hole average now stands at 80.31, a figure that would break her own single-season record.
Freshman Murphy Sears has put herself in the running for a top-10 conference finish with her two-round score of 85-90–175, which places her in a tie for 11th. Other Bulldogs who qualify for the overall leaderboard are Payton DeMers-Sahling (112-101–213; 43rd) and Madison Pitsch (106-118–224; 44th). Lauren Sperry served the role of the team’s No. 4 golfer on Monday by carding a 111.
“On the team side, we need more consistency at three, four and five,” Muller said. “We need more scores in the 90s tomorrow. Murphy definitely has room to improve as well. I look for us to improve score. I don’t think it’s unrealistic for us to break 360 tomorrow.”
The GPAC championships will pick back up at 9 a.m. CT on Tuesday in what will be the final day of the event. Thirty-six holes will be played with Quail Run again serving as the venue. Team and individual champions receive automatic berths to the national championships.
Ahlers rallies to earn GPAC title, national tournament berth
May 2, 2017
COLUMBUS, Neb. – After three-straight years of top five conference finishes, senior Amy Ahlers has risen to the top. The native of Albion, Neb., is the program’s first-ever conference champion. Ahlers may have finished her college classes, but her collegiate golf career will live on. She has punched her ticket to the national championships in sunny Florida.
Ahlers got down by as many as eight strokes on Tuesday, but she actually had little idea what the leaderboard looked like until later in the day. She played her game and finished the tournament with a score of 83-76-77-83–319. She rallied to beat Mount Marty’s Logan Wagner by nine strokes. Dakota Wesleyan’s Kristin Sabers also passed Wagner and was five strokes in back of Ahlers.
For Ahlers, the GPAC spring championships forced her to return to Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb., where she had a difficult experience at the high school state tournament as a senior. She overcame those demons.
“It meant everything,” Ahlers said. “Last time I actually played on this course was state golf my senior year and I did not win. It was hard. It stung a lot. When it got moved back to Quail Run, I was like, ‘This is like my second chance. This is it.’ It’s definitely a good feeling.”
Ahlers had come close to titles in each of her first three seasons as a Bulldog. At the conference tournament, she placed fourth as a freshman, second as a sophomore and third as a junior. She entered this week as one of the favorites to win the title. She stayed cool under pressure.
“I was playing with Kristin Sabers and her dad was looking at the leaderboard so I found out on like hole 13 that Logan had shot 85 on the first 18,” Ahlers said. “So yeah, that definitely made me nervous. I don’t know if it was a good thing or a bad thing that I knew that.
“It’s a lot (of pressure). I haven’t really slept much the last couple weeks – a few golf nightmares in there. At the end of the day, I just knew I had to be aggressive and go for it. Playing it safe wasn’t going to work any longer. I’ve been hoping this would happen for so long.”
From a team perspective, head coach Brett Muller’s squad finished in eighth place, but saved its best GPAC round of 2016-17 for last. The Concordia women’s golf team carded a GPAC total of 386-378-377-368–1,509.
It was also a promising end to the freshman season of Crete native Murphy Sears, who actually beat out Ahlers in round four of the conference championships with an 81, a team low and career low. That performance pushed Sears into 11th place overall with her cumulative score of 85-90-89-81–345.
The only other Bulldog to play all four GPAC rounds and qualify for the overall leaderboard was Payton DeMers-Saling (112-101-105-103–421). Both Lauren Sperry (111-106-101–318) and Madison Pitsch (106-118-110–334) competed in three of four rounds while Paighton Barbre participated in two (141-112–253).
Ahlers will walk the stage for commencement on Saturday, but then it will be time to refocus on golf. She will now play at the 2017 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships, May 23-26 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
“I’m just really proud of Amy,” Muller said. “She came into this week with a goal of winning the conference and she went out and did it. Being GPAC champion and making it to nationals is a fitting way for her to end her college career. She’s really everything that you would want a Concordia student-athlete to be.”
Ahlers named GPAC golfer of the year, Sears tabbed all-conference
May 12, 2017
SEWARD, Neb. – After claiming conference medalist honors, it only made sense for senior Amy Ahlers to be awarded the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Women’s Golfer of the Year, an honor bestowed upon the senior star on Friday (May 11). The GPAC champion Ahlers was joined on the all-conference team by freshman Murphy Sears. The top 10 finishers at the GPAC championships automatically receive all-conference honors. The other five are selected by league coaches.
A native of Albion, Neb., Ahlers shot a cumulative total of 83-76-77-83–319 at the GPAC championships, winning by five strokes over the second place finisher. It marked Ahlers’ third event title of the season and 11th in her impressive career. Not once in nine 2016-17 events has Ahlers failed to place inside the top 10. She also won the CSM/Midland Fall Invitational and the Morningside Spring Invitational. With a season average of 80.27, Ahlers is on track to break her own school record. Her career 18-hole average is 81.77.
The team’s No. 2 all season, Sears missed a top 10 GPAC finish by a single stroke while carding a conference score of 85-90-89-81–345. She saved her best round all season for last, shooting an 81 on the final 18 of the GPAC championships. The Crete native played in all 15 rounds and finished with an 18-hole average of 86.93. She shot an 85 or lower five times during her rookie campaign.
Ahlers has not yet finished her career. She will be heading to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., for the NAIA women’s golf national championships, May 23-26. Sears will also make the trip and keep Ahlers company along with head coach Brett Muller and assistant Shawn Rodehorst.
Nationals bound Ahlers represents Bulldogs with class
May 12, 2017
Amy Ahlers is the type of person who not just cares for others, but makes them feel it. In the aftermath of an unforgettable day, Ahlers smiled wide while overjoyed teammates surrounded her and then took several group selfies with the champion. The act of winning the GPAC title was an individual accomplishment by Ahlers, but it was hard to tell who was more excited on that historic day in Columbus, Neb. Was it Ahlers? Or was it her teammates? Perhaps mom and dad.
Even as a fierce competitor on the course, Ahlers makes friends and fans of opposing players and coaches.
“That doesn’t stop with her teammates,” said head coach Brett Muller of the respect Ahlers has earned. “I had multiple coaches come up to me either before or after the tournament and tell me how very deserving Amy is to be player of the year and to represent the conference at the national tournament. People are excited for her. There’s been an outpour of congratulatory comments. She definitely feels the love.”
Ahlers has the maturity not to take anything for granted or get caught up in her own success. The right attitude and demeanor have helped the Albion, Neb., native accomplish something that has been a goal of hers ever since settling on Concordia. Win the GPAC. Earn a trip to nationals. Yes, this story has a fairytale ending.
The thing is, it won’t change the way Ahlers conducts herself and the way she treats others. Not one bit. No wonder there was such genuine happiness for Ahlers on May 2 when she rallied back to take the conference title. Big hugs were shared between Amy and her parents, Terry and Nancy, and several others.
“It has been so incredible. Through this whole process I’ve just learned how blessed I am,” Ahlers said. “I have the most incredible people in my life. It’s crazy. The last couple of weeks I’ve talked to people that I haven’t talked to in years. It’s just so fun with how many people have reached out. It’s definitely been eye-opening. It’s made me really appreciative of what I have. I couldn’t have done it without all of them.”
Just as ‘incredible’ and ‘crazy’ are the numbers Ahlers has accumulated throughout her career. The best player in the program the moment she stepped foot on campus, Ahlers has won 11 tournaments in her four seasons. Out of 39 events played, she’s placed in the top 10 of 32 of them. She’s been a seven-time GPAC golfer of the week, a four-time all-conference winner and now a GPAC champion. Her current season average of 80.27 is a school record.
Looking for a flaw? That’s going to be tough to find. In the classroom, she finished with a near spotless GPA. Now a graduate with degrees in elementary and special education, Ahlers is a CoSIDA Academic All-American and a NAIA Scholar-Athlete. She has the makings of becoming that elementary teacher that everyone remembers. She is someone who positively influences all people she meets, but she’s still looking for a teaching job. (Seriously? Hire her while you still can!)
Things will work out just fine for Ahlers. She’s already shown that she will do what it takes to make her dreams come to life.
“Obviously Amy’s put in a ton of time,” Muller said. “She’s had some disappointment the last couple years with being very close (to winning the GPAC) her sophomore year and then again her junior year. She definitely didn’t finish the way she wanted to. She changed her mindset going into the spring GPAC to be in more of an attack mode. Instead of hoping it would happen, she made it happen.”
With her college diploma secured, Ahlers plans on playing a lot of golf over the next couple of weeks as she prepares for the national championships. The grand event will take place May 23-26 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Ahlers, Muller, assistant coach Shawn Rodehorst and freshman Murphy Sears will make the journey together.
In many ways, the pressure has lifted from Ahlers. After GPAC finishes of fourth, second and third, respectively, her first three years, Ahlers made it known that it was her time now. The reward is a trip to sunny Florida.
“I feel like this is just bonus golf now,” Ahlers said. “I am so excited. I’m pretty competitive so I know when I get down to Florida my competitive juices will start flowing. I’m playing in Milford and Lincoln the next couple of weeks and trying to fine tune a couple of things.”
Always critical of her own game, Ahlers admitted, “At GPAC my putting was just awful. I don’t know what the problem was.”
But Ahlers always finds a way to come back strong, like the time as a freshman when she took an ELEVEN on one particular hole. It was one of very few embarrassing moments Ahlers has endured on the golf course.
“It was at Whispering Creek (in Sioux City) and I got in one of the fescues and I could not get out,” said Ahlers while laughing. She’s over it now. She continued, “Never in my life have I taken a double digit number on a hole, not even in high school. It was the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done. I had to write it down and keep it all day long.”
About the only time lately that you would have caught Ahlers without a smile on her face is when she had to say goodbye to her teammates. As the lone senior on the women’s golf roster, Ahlers has been someone the rest of the team has looked up to. What better, more caring or more successful leader could they possibly have had to lean upon?
Ahlers is a one-of-kind person that has made mom and dad proud – and Concordia. The only sad thing is that it all goes too fast.
Says Ahlers, “I honestly don’t even have words for it. After GPAC ended, I thought maybe I’d have some time to think about it all and gather my thoughts. It has been so incredible. When I decided to come to Concordia, I just took a leap of faith. I could not be happier with my decision. I’ve met such incredible people and I’ve grown so much as a person. I don’t know if it would have happened anywhere else.
“If I could stay a little longer I definitely would.”
You’re welcome any time, Amy.
Ahlers named CoSIDA All-District selection
CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Teams
For the third year in a row, Ahlers has been chosen by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) as an Academic All-District choice. Also a 2015-16 CoSIDA Academic All-American, Ahlers again finds herself on the All-District 3 team of the College Division.
The CoSIDA Academic All-District™ Teams have been released to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. For more information about the Academic All-District™ and Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit http://cosida.com.
GPAC champion and GPAC golfer of the year, Ahlers is now eligible to again earn Academic All-America honors. She will soon be tabbed a NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the second year in a row. On the course, she has garnered all-conference recognition all four years.
Ahlers shoots 88 on first day of national championships
May 23, 2017
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Making her first public course appearance since securing the GPAC title on May 2, senior Amy Ahlers got her first taste of the national championships while in action on Tuesday. Ahlers finished her first round with a 16-over-par 88 at Squire Course located on the PGA National grounds in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
After a rough start, Ahlers rebounded with four-consecutive pars, which came on holes 1 through 4. Ahlers teed off on hole 12 at 9:24 in the morning Eastern Time. Her 49 on the back nine contributed to the highest score turned in all year by Ahlers, who entered the national tournament with a season average of 80.27. The native of Albion, Neb., turned in pars on eight different holes on Tuesday.
Ahlers was scheduled to begin Wednesday’s round at 1:40 p.m. ET, but rain suspended play on Tuesday evening. An adjusted schedule for Wednesday had not been announced at the time of release. The field of 161 golfers includes 30 team qualifiers (18 automatic berths) and 11 individual qualifiers. The tournament field is cut after 54 holes and reduced to 17 teams and 40 individuals (including ties).
Live scoring throughout the tournament can be accessed HERE.
Ahlers concludes career on third day of national championships
May 25, 2017
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – After having her second round suspended during action at the 2017 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships, senior Amy Ahlers saw her remarkable collegiate career come to a conclusion on Thursday. Ahlers carded identical scores of 41 on her front and back nines for a 10-over-par 82 in her second 18 at Squire Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
During her stay in Florida, Ahlers shot an 88 on Tuesday and then completed her second round with nine holes both Wednesday and Thursday. With her two-round total of 88-82–170, Ahlers missed the cut. Champion of the GPAC, Ahlers did not have the opportunity to play three rounds, as originally scheduled, due to rainy conditions that wreaked havoc on the tournament.
Despite failing to make the cut at nationals, Ahlers departs Concordia as the most accomplished golfer in the history of the program.
“This has been such an incredible experience,” Ahlers said. “Florida is wonderful. My heart honestly is so full after the sunshine, the laughs and the adventure. I’m just grateful that I was given the opportunity to compete down here this week, alongside some awesome competitors. I wish I could redo about four holes, but it is what it is.
“Over the years, golf has introduced me to the most amazing people, allowed me to see the most beautiful places and taught me the most valuable lessons. Thinking about all of that makes me take a step back and not be sad that it’s over, but so happy that it happened.”
The highlight of Ahlers’ final nine holes was a birdie on the par four hole 13. The final two holes of her career resulted in pars. The solid finish helped her improve her second round total by six strokes.
During her four years, Ahlers rewrote the program record book, setting new standards for a single round and season average. She won 11 events and became the first GPAC champion in program history. Not only that, Ahlers is a CoSIDA Academic All-American and a Scholar-Athlete.
“It’s huge for our program,” Muller said of Ahlers’ appearance at nationals. “It’s a great way for Amy to finish her career. She’s put in a ton of time and hard work. It was always a goal for her to finish her season at the national tournament. It’s very special for her. It didn’t go the way we wanted it to go. She knew going into today that this was probably it, but I’m very proud of what Amy has accomplished over her four years. She’s been our leader. She’s a very supportive and fantastic team captain for us.”
Ahlers, Sperry collect NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors
May 29, 2017
SEWARD, Neb. – A recent winner of the GPAC championships and national tournament qualifier, senior Amy Ahlers has been named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the second year in a row. Joining Ahlers on the Scholar-Athlete list was junior Lauren Sperry, a first time honoree. A native of Albion, Neb., Ahlers earned her degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Sperry, who hails from Oneida, Ill., is majoring in Director of Christian Education and Elementary Education.
Additionally, Ahlers is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District choice and is again up for Academic All-America honors. Ahlers finished her career last week at the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
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. A total of 174 women’s golf student-athletes across the nation were named 2017 Scholar-Athletes by the NAIA.
Concordia University ranks as the NAIA’s all-time leader in number of Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes with 1,277 and counting (27 for the fall athletics season). The 2015-16 season produced a GPAC best 92 Bulldog scholar-athletes and a national best 20 NAIA Scholar-Teams. The 2014-15 season culminated with GPAC-leading totals of 94 Bulldog scholar-athletes and 17 NAIA Scholar-Teams. During the 2013-14 academic year, Concordia garnered 101 Scholar-Athlete honorees (most in the NAIA) and 17 NAIA Scholar-Teams (tied for fourth nationally).
2017 Women’s Golf Scholar-Athletes
Amy Ahlers, Sr. | Albion, Neb. | Elementary/Special Education
Lauren Sperry, Jr. | Oneida, Ill. | DCE/Elementary Education
Ahlers named CoSIDA Academic All-American for second-straight year
June 5, 2017
SEWARD, Neb. – The GPAC champion and GPAC golfer of the year is still claiming more recognition even after the close of her collegiate golf career. On Monday (June 5), the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) named Amy Ahlers to the first team of the Academic All-America® Women’s At-Large Team of the College Division. Ahlers moved up from the second team, where she landed last season as a junior.
The CoSIDA Academic All-America® Women’s At-Large Teams have been released to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. For more information about the Academic All-District™ and Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit http://cosida.com.
Also a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District™ award winner, Ahlers recently competed at the NAIA national championships. She earned her way to nationals by clinching the GPAC title on May 2 at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb. A Boone Central High School product and Albion, Neb., native, Ahlers finished her senior campaign with a season average of 80.82 over 17 rounds. In 54 career rounds, she posted an 18-hole average of 81.89. She won 11 events as a Bulldog, including three in 2016-17. Ahlers earned her degrees in elementary and special education while posting a nearly spotless GPA.
Ahlers career accolades
-2016-17 GPAC champion
-2016-17 GPAC golfer of the year
-2017 national qualifier
-Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American
-Three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District
-Two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete
-Four-time All-GPAC (1st, 3rd, 2nd, 4th)
-11 career tournament wins
-Seven-time GPAC golfer of the week
2016-17 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
*Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
Le’Dontrae Gooden, Football
*Hallick Lehmann, Football
Sam Liermann, Track & Field
CJ Muller, Track & Field
Lucas Wiechman, Track & Field
2015-16 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
*Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Stephanie Coley, Track & Field
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
*Hallick Lehmann, Football
Adam Meirose, Football
Becky Mueller, Basketball
*CJ Muller, Track & Field
*Kim Wood, Cross Country/Track & Field
2014-15 academic all-district honorees
(*Academic All-American)
Amy Ahlers, Golf
*Brendan Buchanan, Soccer
Stephanie Coley, Track & Field
*Chandler Folkerts, Basketball
Jaydee Jurgensen, Baseball
Adam Meirose, Football
Bailey Morris, Basketball
*Rachel Mussell, Soccer
Shawn Rodehorst, Golf
Ben Sievert, Cross Country/Track & Field
Melissa Stine, Soccer
Season preview: 2017-18 Concordia women's golf
Aug. 25, 2017
WOMEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (7th year)
2016-17 GPAC Finish: 8th (386-378-377-368–1,509)
Key Returners: Paighton Barbre (So.); Madison Pitsch (Jr.); Payton DeMers-Sahling (So.); Murphy Sears (So.).
Key Newcomers: Gabrielle Coviello; Rebecca Day; Haley Nolde.
Key Loss: Amy Ahlers.
2017 GPAC All-Conference: Amy Ahlers (1st; golfer of the year); Murphy Sears (11th).
Outlook
It’s now life after Amy Ahlers, the most accomplished player in the history of Concordia women’s golf. Ahlers went out in style, winning the GPAC title, garnering GPAC golfer of the year accolades and earning a berth to the national championships. Though Ahlers has moved on to a career in elementary teaching, her influence as a role model will carry on with the returning players.
Seventh-year head coach Brett Muller wouldn’t mind if somehow Ahlers’ golf game also rubbed off on this year’s team.
“Amy was just a great leader, on and off the course,” Muller said. “She put in countless hours before and after practice. I hope they learn from her work ethic and just how she went about everything the right way, being a leader in the classroom as well. She got stuff done.”
With Ahlers having departed, sophomore Murphy Sears assumes the No. 1 spot in the lineup. Sears got a taste of what the national championships are like having accompanied Ahlers to West Palm Beach, Fla., back in March. If Sears can harness her play from the final round (career best 81) at the GPAC championships, she’ll give herself a shot a punching a ticket of her own to the national championships someday.
A native of Crete, Neb., Sears turned in a season average of 86.93 over 15 rounds as a freshman. She placed in the top 10 of three tournaments and earned all-conference recognition alongside Ahlers. The signing of Sears was a major recruiting victory for Muller and the program.
“I think Murphy learned a lot her first year,” Muller said. “Obviously there’s a jump from high school golf to college golf with the yardage and playing with better players. I think she settled in and definitely proved at the last GPAC at Quail Run that she can compete at a high level and she can contend for a GPAC championship.”
Sears says she spent the summer zeroing in on bettering her short game. She believes that work will help move her up from her 11th place positioning in the GPAC as a freshman.
“This summer I tried to focus a lot on my short game, 100 yards and in and my putting also,” Sears said. “I had to switch my stroke a bit from last season. As long as my long game is on and I just keep practicing my short game, everything should come together.”
The question marks come behind Sears. Muller returns experienced players in sophomore Payton DeMers-Sahling, junior Madison Pitsch and sophomore Paighton Barbre. DeMers-Sahling competed in all nine of the team’s events last season and ranks second to Sears in terms of returners with the top season averages in 2016-17.
In order for the Bulldogs to improve upon their eighth place GPAC finish, they will need a shot in the arm from the newcomers. The freshman class is made up of Gabrielle Coviello, Rebecca Day and Haley Nolde.
“I think any of those three coming in with the freshman class could definitely push for one of the top five spots,” Muller said. “It’s just trying to find consistency with those spots to lower our scoring average.”
There may be some uncertainty in the lineup, but Muller knows for sure he can count on Sears, a rising star in GPAC golf.
“That built my confidence a lot,” said Sears of how she finished her freshman season. “I just realized that I can do it. I’m able to shoot low scores when I have my swing on point. I wish we had a few more tournaments after that round. This year I think I’ll be able to have more rounds like that.”
The season opens up on Thursday, Aug. 31 with the two-day Mount Marty Invite. The event will take place at Fox Run Golf Course in Yankton, S.D. It will be a homecoming of sorts for new graduate assistant Logan Wagner, who played both basketball and golf at Mount Marty. The GPAC Fall Championships are scheduled for Oct. 9-10 in Vermillion, S.D.
Season opens with 13th-place finish in Yankton
Sept. 1, 2017
YANKTON, S.D. – The Concordia University women’s golf team is still adjusting to life without GPAC champion Amy Ahlers. While completing the two-round Mount Marty Fall Invite, the Bulldogs placed 13th out of 14 teams. They carded a score of 390-412–802. The first round was played at Fox Run Golf Club before shifting to Hillcrest Country Club for round two.
Seventh-year head coach Brett Muller’s program is coming off an eighth place GPAC finish in 2016-17. Concordia starts anew with sophomore Murphy Sears taking over the No. 1 spot in the lineup.
Sears turned in the team’s top score with a 92-91–183, putting her in a tie for 39th place in a field of 82 golfers. The rest of the lineup included Payton DeMers-Sahling (98-110–208), Gabrielle Coviello (97-113–210), Madison Pitsch (110-101–211) and Paighton Barbre (103-110–213). In addition, two Bulldogs competed as individuals: Haley Nolde (98-98–196) and Rebecca Day (101-99–200). The tournament marked the college debuts of Coviello, Day and Nolde.
The tournament field was made up of almost exclusively GPAC teams with the exception of William Penn University. The event served as a homecoming for new graduate assistant coach Logan Wagner, who graduated from Mount Marty this past May.
Next up for the Bulldogs is the Midland Fall Invite on Sept. 11. The meet is set to take place at Fremont Golf Club in Fremont, Neb. Tee time is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT.
Sears shoots 85 at Midland Fall Invite
Sept 11, 2017
FREMONT, Neb. – Sophomore Murphy Sears showed significant improvement compared to the season opening Mount Marty Fall Invite (Aug. 31-Sept. 1). Sears highlighted the day with fifth-place finish out of the field of 45 individuals at Monday’s Midland Fall Invite at Fremont Golf Club. As a team, the Bulldogs shot a 389 and tied for fourth place among six teams.
The 389 marked a season low through three fall rounds for seventh-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad. Concordia shot a two-day total of 390-412–802 at the Mount Marty Invite.
“Murphy played much better and with more confidence from tee to green today,” Muller said. “With the exception of hole 9, she was solid. As a team, we need to work on eliminating mental mistakes that are costing us too many shots.”
Muller is counting upon Sears, a 2016-17 all-conference performer, to shoot low scores out of the No. 1 spot in the lineup. Sears carded a 12-over-par 85 on Monday. Her total was six strokes better than either of her rounds (92-91–183) at the Mount Marty meet. Through 18 career collegiate rounds, the Crete native owns an 18-hole average of 87.33.
Sears was followed in the lineup by a pair of freshmen: Rebecca Day (97; T-22nd) and Haley Nolde (99; T-26th). Next in line were sophomore Payton DeMers-Sahling (108; T-39th) and freshman Gabrielle Coviello (119; 44th). Two other Bulldogs competed individually: junior Madison Pitsch (107; 38th) and sophomore Paighton Barbre (108; T-39th).
The Bulldogs will also be in action this weekend (Sept. 15-16) at the Lila Frommelt Invite hosted by Briar Cliff. Both rounds will be held at Two Rivers Golf Club in Dakota Dunes, S.D. The Lila Frommelt Invite is one of two tournaments remaining on the schedule before the GPAC Fall Championships (Oct. 9-10).
Bulldogs card two-day total of 765 at Lila Frommelt
Sept 16, 2017
DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. – The improvement of freshman Haley Nolde and the overall solid weekend for Murphy Sears provided the highlights for the Concordia University women’s golf team at the two-day Lila Frommelt Fall Classic (Sept. 15-16) hosted by Briar Cliff. While competing in a field of 16 teams, the Bulldogs placed 15th with a two-day score of 376-389–765.
The event marked the third tournament of the season for head coach Brett Muller’s squad. Concordia also competed earlier this week at the Midland Fall Invite (Sept. 11).
A sophomore from Crete, Sears figures to pace Concordia all season at the top of the lineup. In a large field of more than 90 golfers, Sears tied for 31st place with her score of 82-88–170. Sears owns each of the team’s top five rounds so far this season.
She was followed in the lineup by Nolde (104-93–197; 75th), who shaved 11 strokes off of her Friday total in the meet held at Two Rivers Golf Club in Dakota Dunes, S.D. The remainder of the lineup included sophomore Payton DeMers-Sahling (97-102–199; T-77th), freshman Rebecca Day (93-107–200; T-79th) and junior Madison Pitsch (105-106–211; T-85th). Golfing as individuals, sophomore Paighton Barbre (108-95–203; 81st) and freshman Gabrielle Coviello (108-107–215; T-89th) were also present.
Just one more tournament remains on the fall schedule prior to the GPAC Fall Championships (Oct. 9-10). The next meet will be the College of Saint Mary Fall Shootout at Miracle Hill Golf Course in Omaha on Sept. 27.
Sears sets new career low, places third at CSM Classic
Sept. 27, 2017
OMAHA, Neb. – Sophomore Murphy Sears put it all together during Wednesday’s action, shooting a career low six-over-par 78 at Miracle Hill in Omaha. Sears’ third-place finish provided the highlight for the Concordia University women’s golf team at the College of Saint Mary Matthew Goette Fall Classic. Sears finished five strokes behind the medalist in a tournament that featured 76 golfers.
Seventh-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad carded a team total of 372 (team season low), placing 10th among 11 competing institutions. While Sears cut down on her previous career low by three strokes, fellow sophomore Payton DeMers-Sahling improved on her career best by five strokes.
“Murphy has been playing much better and hitting the ball a lot better the last couple weeks,” Muller said. “Breaking 80 has been a goal for her ever since she stepped on campus a year-and-a-half ago. For her to do that today was just great to see. She was very good with the putter all day. Today proved to her that she doesn’t have to play a perfect round to shoot in the 70s.”
A Crete native, Sears has been the top Bulldog finisher during each of the team’s six rounds this fall. Prior to Wednesday, Sears sported a season low of 82 (Lila Frommelt Classic). That score was one shot off her collegiate best of 81 in the final round of the GPAC championships in conclusion of her freshman season. Sears turned in three top-10 finishes last season. She already has two top-five claims as a sophomore.
DeMers-Sahling shot a 92 and tied for 43rd overall. The rest of Muller’s five-person lineup included freshman Rebecca Day (100; 61st), sophomore Paighton Barbre (102; T-63rd) and freshman Haley Nolde (104; T-67th). In addition, junior Madison Pitsch (104; T-67th) and freshman Gabrielle Coviello (113; T-72nd) also competed individually.
The only event remaining on this fall’s schedule is the upcoming GPAC Fall Championships. Two rounds of conference golf are scheduled to be played Oct. 9-10 at The Bluffs Golf Course in Vermillion, S.D. The 2016-17 Bulldogs placed eighth in the conference and were led by GPAC champion Amy Ahlers.
“This was our lowest team score. Going into the GPAC we’re starting to gain some confidence,” Muller said. “We were much better around the greens. We definitely saved some strokes around the greens and that was a big difference for us in the team score.
Bulldogs shoot 383 in opening round of GPAC championships
Oct. 9,2017
VERMILLION, S.D. – The last time the Concordia University women’s golf team competed in a GPAC championship round it celebrated the individual championship for the highly accomplished Amy Ahlers. Sophomore Murphy Sears would relish the opportunity to one day achieve the same feat. An all-conference performer last season, Sears carded an 85 (+13) on the first day of the conference championship meet, which is being held at The Bluffs Golf Course in Vermillion, S.D.
In round one of a two-day (Oct. 9-10) fall championships event, seventh-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad shot a 383, putting it in a tie for ninth place in the GPAC. Concordia is hoping to move up from its eighth place claim in 2016-17.
The goal for Sears is to continue to climb up the conference leaderboard following an 11th-place finish as a rookie. The Crete native will enter day two tied for 13th. She sits just two strokes outside the top 10 and is eight strokes behind GPAC leader Arianna Presilla of Briar Cliff. Sears turned in pars on eight holes during Monday’s round. Her 85 ties for the second best score of her career in a conference round.
Muller’s lineup also featured freshmen Rebecca Day (97; T-40th) and Haley Nolde (100; 47th) and sophomores Payton DeMers-Sahling (101; T-48th) and Paighton Barbre (106; 52nd). DeMers-Sahling also competed in all four rounds last season and finished in 40th place.
Tuesday’s round has been pushed back to an 11 a.m. CT tee time due to possible frost early in the morning. The third and fourth rounds of the GPAC championships are scheduled to be played at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb., this coming spring. The same venue hosted the final three rounds of last season’s conference meet that saw Ahlers taste championship glory.
Bulldogs improve by seven strokes, Sears 13th on GPAC leaderboard
Oct. 10, 2017
VERMILLION, S.D. – Sophomore Murphy Sears and company collectively improved by seven strokes as compared to their team total turned in during Monday’s round of GPAC championships golf. After 36 holes conference play, the Concordia University women’s golf team owns a ninth place positioning. The Bulldogs carded a score of 383-376–759 over two days spent at The Bluffs Golf Course in Vermillion, S.D.
The 376 in Tuesday’s round ties for the second lowest 18-hole score for seventh-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad over eight rounds this fall.
“I felt we played well today,” Muller said. “When we had a poor shot, hole or even round, we bounced back. We started on the back nine, which is the harder nine. We knew making the turn we were going to make a move. I was pleased with our effort and attitude. We improved our overall team score and had three girls individually lower their score.”
Sears has set herself up for potential all-conference honors in the spring. She’s right in range with her 11th-place claim as a freshman last season. Her two-round GPAC score stands at 85-86–171 (+27), putting her in 13th place. By comparison, Sears carded a four-round total of 85-90-89-81–345 during her first run through the GPAC tournament in 2016-17. The Crete native is fully capable of going low, as evidenced by the 78 she shot at the College of Saint Mary Classic on Sept. 27.
Everyone else in the five-person lineup either duplicated or improved on day two in Vermillion. Following Sears were freshman Rebecca Day (97-96–193; T-38th), sophomore Payton DeMers-Sahling (101-94–195; 44th), freshman Haley Nolde (100-100–200; T-47th) and sophomore Paighton Barbre (106-105–211; 52nd).
“Murphy is in a good position to make a move into the top 10 in the spring,” Muller said. “Our team can move up another spot as well. This was a good tournament for us and we will use to build off of going into the spring.”
In the team standings, the Bulldogs were able to distance themselves on Tuesday from 10th-place Dordt (383-390–773) and 11th-place Hastings (397-402–799).
The 2017-18 season will resume this coming spring. The complete schedule is yet to be announced. However, the two spring GPAC championship rounds will be held at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Columbus, Neb., also the site where the conference championships concluded last season.
Sears wins tournament, Bulldogs start spring with a splash
April 5, 2018
OMAHA, Neb. – Sophomore Murphy Sears improved upon a career best by five strokes in a brilliant day in which the Nebraska spring finally felt like spring. Sears starred for a Concordia University women’s golf team that emerged from the winter break with a third-place finish at Thursday’s (April 5) CSM/Midland Spring Invitational at Miracle Hill in Omaha, Neb. The Bulldogs recorded a team score of 343.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad finished with a season low total by nearly 30 strokes. Its third-place claim was its best of 2017-18. Concordia outshot GPAC rivals Doane (352), Midland (358), Dordt (362), Mount Marty (367), Dakota Wesleyan (367), Northwestern (382) and College of Saint Mary (387).
“Today was a great start to the spring season for the ladies,” Muller said. “It was good to play in nice weather again, something that we have not done much recently. Murphy played a complete round of golf today tee to green. Her putting was on and so was her driver. This was the dominate performance I knew she is capable of.”
A Crete, Neb., native, Sears carded a 78 at the same Miracle Hill course back in September. She shaved her score down to a one-over-par 73 on Thursday, allowing her to edge second place Taylor Minger (74) of Briar Cliff. Sears is a tournament champion for the first time in her career and now has three top-five tournament finishes to her credit in 2017-18.
The rest of the lineup also came through. Payton DeMers-Sahling placed 12th with a 12-over-par 84. The three through five spots were held down by Haley Nolde (93; T-37th), Madison Pitsch (93; T-37th) and Paighton Barbre (95; 48th). Gabrielle Coviello competed individually and carded a 97 (54th).
Said Muller, “It wasn’t just Murphy today, Payton’s 84 was a career low for her as well and to have the others in the low 90s really helped the team score. Overall, as a team we did a good job of staying away from the big numbers. This a great start to the spring season and we should gain confidence from today’s round. Next week we go to Wilderness Ridge, which is tough golf course and will be a good test.”
In four prior events with more than 10 teams in competition this season, Concordia had not placed higher than ninth. Its team average dropped down to 381.1 with the season best outing.
The Bulldogs will continue their season next Thursday (April 12) at the Kaitlyn Erickson Invite hosted by Doane. The event will take place at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb. The Erickson Invite will be one of three meets remaining prior to the spring conference championships.
Sears pulls in GPAC weekly award
April 10, 2018
SEWARD, Neb. – A memorable day in Omaha last week resulted in sophomore Murphy Sears earning GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Golfer of the Week accolades, as announced by the conference on Tuesday (April 10). It’s the first career GPAC weekly honor for Sears, an all-conference performer last season. Sears is the program’s first GPAC player of the week since April 2017 when Amy Ahlers collected her seventh career weekly award.
Sears has been the team’s top golfer since Ahlers graduated last May. A native of Crete, Neb., Sears recorded the first tournament win of her career by shooting a career best one-over-par 73 while navigating the course at Miracle Hill in Omaha. Sears’ efforts helped the Bulldogs place third as a team with a season best score (343) by nearly 30 strokes. Prior to last week, Sears’ top score as a collegiate golfer was a 78.
Sears placed 11th in the GPAC as a freshman in 2016-17. Her average 18-hole score of 84.44 this season is tops on the team. Over 24 career rounds, Sears owns an average of 86.0 with six career top 10 tournament finishes.
Head coach Brett Muller’s women’s golf program is set to return to action on Thursday at the Kaitlyn Erickson Invite at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln. They are also slated to play Saturday and Sunday at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite at Holmes Golf Course in Lincoln.
Sears upgraded to NAIA national golfer of the week 3
April 11, 2018
SEWARD, Neb. – Sophomore Murphy Sears has been named the NAIA National Women’s Golfer of the Week, the national office announced Wednesday. Sears was selected based on her performances from April 4 – April 10 and was chosen out of a pool of conference, Association of Independent Institutions and unaffiliated group winners. Sears is believed to be the first national weekly award winner in the history of the Concordia women’s golf program.
Sears was also tabbed the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Golfer of the Week, as announced by the conference on Tuesday (April 10). She is the program’s first GPAC player of the week since April 2017 when Amy Ahlers collected her seventh career weekly award.
Sears has been the team’s top golfer since Ahlers graduated last May. A native of Crete, Neb., Sears recorded the first tournament win of her career by shooting a career best one-over-par 73 while navigating the course at Miracle Hill in Omaha. Her efforts helped the Bulldogs place third as a team with a season best score (343) by nearly 30 strokes. Prior to last week, Sears’ top score as a collegiate golfer was a 78.
Sears placed 11th in the GPAC as a freshman in 2016-17. Her average 18-hole score of 84.44 this season is tops on the team. Over 24 career rounds, Sears owns an average of 86.0 with six career top 10 tournament finishes.
Head coach Brett Muller’s women’s golf program is set to return to action on Thursday at the Kaitlyn Erickson Invite at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln.
Bulldogs place eighth at Erickson/Doane Invite
April 12, 2018
LINCOLN, Neb. – It won’t be easy for the Concordia University women’s golf team to top its season best team score of 343 carded at the CSM/Midland Invite a week ago. As a result of that meet, sophomore Murphy Sears collected NAIA National Golfer of the Week accolades. Returning to action for the first time since then, Sears and company placed eighth among 10 teams at Thursday’s (April 12) Kaitlyn Erickson/Doane Invite at Wilderness Ridge in Lincoln.
With the men’s team in action in Eagle, Neb., graduate assistant Logan Wagner accompanied the women’s team in Lincoln. Her bunch finished with a 374 on the day.
“I think all five of our girls got off the course today feeling like they left shots out there, particularly on the greens,” Wagner said. “It was tough conditions with the wind, on a tough course, but we felt we could have managed the course better even so. With that being said, it was a great course to play on in preparation for GPAC. We are going to continue to improve in these next two weeks.”
Sears posted an 86 and placed in a tie for 15th out of 70 golfers at the Erickson Invite. She paced a Bulldog group that included Payton DeMers-Sahling (93; T-31st), Haley Nolde (93; T-31st), Paighton Barbre (102; T-58th) and Gabrielle Coviello (102; T-58th). The 374 team score was the third best out of 10 rounds in 2017-18 for Concordia.
Before looking ahead to the GPAC championships, the Bulldogs will host their own tournament next week at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. The Concordia Bulldogs Invite will run next Thursday and Friday (April 19-20).
Bulldogs card 367 on first day of home invite
April 19, 2018
LINCOLN, Neb. – Sunny and mild weather greeted the field of 70 golfers as the Concordia University women’s golf program hosted a meet for the first time during the 2017-18 season. Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., served as the venue for the first of the two-day Concordia Bulldog Invite that began at noon on Thursday (April 19). Heading into the second round, the Bulldogs sit in 10th place among 11 teams.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad turned in a 367. Concordia is within striking distance of Dordt (358) and Peru State (361).
Individually, sophomore Murphy Sears again led the way for the Bulldogs. She stands in a tie for 12th with an eight-over-par 80 on the home course. Five of her teammates also navigated the sweeping, rolling terrain at Highlands. Next in line after Sears were Haley Nolde (95), Madison Pitsch (95), Payton DeMers-Sahling (97), Paighton Barbre (101) and Gabrielle Coviello (102).
The field at the invite includes nine GPAC members as well as Bellevue University (first place) and Peru State College. Eleven players shot in the 70s on Thursday, including Briar Cliff’s Taylor Minger (73), the tournament leader.
The 367 carded on Thursday was Concordia’s second best team score of 2017-18. The only lower round turned in this season was a 343 at the CSM/Midland Invite on April 5.
Day two of the Concordia Bulldog Invite has been pushed back a half hour to a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start on Friday (April 20).
Sears makes move on final day of Bulldog Invite
April 20, 2018
LINCOLN, Neb. – More than 70 golfers competed at the two-day Concordia Bulldog Invite that concluded at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln on Friday (April 20). The Concordia University women’s golf team shaved 10 strokes off its Thursday round and placed 10th. Individually, Murphy Sears moved from 12th place after Thursday to eighth and collected a tournament medal.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad carded a two-day total of 367-357–724. The Bulldogs placed in front Northwestern.
Said Muller, “We didn’t play the way we wanted to play in our home event. Yesterday’s round was pretty disappointing. I am proud of the way the girls bounced back and played better today. Murphy had a great round, shooting a 74. I think she’s in a good spot going into the GPAC tournament. We’re going up to Quail Run Sunday for a practice round and hopefully get a little more familiar with the course.”
Sears improved on the second day of the event despite worse weather conditions on Friday. The Crete native turned in five birdies over the 36 holes at Highlands and ended with a two-day score of 80-74–154. The two-over-par on Friday marked the second lowest score of her career.
“I was hitting my driver really well today, right down the middle,” Sears said. “I didn’t get in as much trouble except for the first hole. My putting was pretty good today. Everything came together.”
Sears has effectively taken over the role of No. 1 in the lineup. She’s done something no other player in program history has done: win a NAIA national golfer of the week award. Said Sears, “That was really cool. I honestly didn’t know that was a thing. I was not expecting that.”
Five other Bulldogs competed at Highlands, including Payton DeMers-Sahling (97-92 – 189; T-49th), Haley Nolde (95-95–193; T-56th), Paighton Barbre (101-93–194; T-58th), Madison Pitsch (95-101–196; 60th) and Gabrielle Coviello (102-98–200; 64th). Five of the six Concordia golfers lowered their scores on day two of the invite.
The rounds of 357 and 367 at the Bulldog Invite were the team’s second and third lowest totals of the 2017-18 season for Muller’s squad. Concordia’s 343 at the CSM/Midland Invite stands as the top team round this season.
Up next are the GPAC Spring Championships (April 27-28) to be contested at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb. Last year’s conference championships concluded at the same site with Amy Ahlers’ historic GPAC title run that clinched an individual berth to the NAIA national championships. The Bulldogs will enter next weekend in ninth place in the conference standings (383-376–759).
Sears records top 10 GPAC finish to close season
April 28, 2018
SEWARD, Neb. – Sophomore Murphy Sears had a tough act to follow. She entered the 2017-18 season knowing she was expected to take over the role of No. 1 golfer after following the lead of 2016-17 GPAC champion Amy Ahlers. As it turned out, Sears was ready for primetime. With solid rounds of 84 and 83 over the past two days, Sears landed inside the top 10 on the final GPAC championships leaderboard.
Sears was the steadying force for a squad that wound up in 10th place with a four-round conference score of 383-376-377-368–1,504. The event wrapped up on Saturday (April 28).
“Murphy definitely made big strides this year,” Muller said. “She did a great job in taking over the No. 1 spot on the team. She definitely improved. She had a 73 and 74 this spring and showed that she is one of the top players in the conference. She’ll work hard this summer and I know she’ll have a goal of winning the conference next summer.”
Sears, a native of Crete, even made waves on a national scale this spring by earning an NAIA national golfer of the week award after shooting a career low. Her four-round total of 85-86-84-83–338 placed her eighth in the GPAC. Sears placed inside the top 10 of five tournament this season and was a champion in one.
The four teammates to join Sears at the GPAC championships this week at Quail Run Golf Course in Columbus, Neb., were Haley Nolde (100-100-95-87–382), Payton DeMers-Sahling (101-94-103-95–393), Paighton Barbre (106-105-96-103–410) and Madison Pitsch (102-107–209). Nolde’s 87 on Saturday marked a career low by six strokes. She placed 32nd in the GPAC.
Muller will return his entire lineup in 2018-19 and expects to add four newcomers to the roster, including a Seward High School product. Concordia will be seeking a move up the GPAC standings with a more experienced team this coming fall.
“We don’t have any seniors so we’ll have everyone back,” Muller said. “We’re bringing in four pretty good players that will be able to come in and compete for top five spots. It will be nice to have more depth. I look forward more competitive practices that will translate to a more competitive tournament team.”