Men's Golf opened their competitive fall season Thursday at Graceland University with an encouraging performance. The invite included teams from Graceland University, Missouri Valley College, Clarke University, Iowa Central CC, and Southwestern CC. The Pirates finished in 7th place with a total team score of 314 (+26). Only 15 strokes out of first place, this is the best finish to date for the young Pirates program. Missouri Valley College and Iowa Central CC tied for the top spot at 299 (+11).
Individually, Cody Glenn led the way for the Pirates firing a 76 (+4) which secured a Top 15 spot. Only one shot back of Glenn was Lewis Hopkinson (+5 / T17) and two shots back was Scott Swayne (+6 / T22). Eaton Klaver (+11) and Nate Swann (+12) rounded out the team scoring for the Pirates.
"The first event is under our belt now and we can move forward with the things we need to work on. As with everyone that's ever played the game, we left a lot of shots on the course and we saw a lot second guessing shots. They learn from those situations and continue to improve," commented Coach Craig Sager.
Also competing for the Pirates as medalist were Teague Mudd (+11), James Gardner (+12), Seth Gladbach (+17), and Tom Sagun (+18).
"Everyone showed a lot of class on the course which is promising as a coach. We have a good group of kids this season and we'll get better as the season progresses," added Coach Sager.
The Pirates tee it up next Monday and Tuesday at the Evangel Fall Invitational. The tournament will be played at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, MO. "Rivercut is a big golf course with plenty of scoring opportunities. With mid to long irons coming into play, I expect that our guys will have a good showing. Lewis was two putts away from a Top 10 at Graceland and I know he'll take care of his business on a longer, more difficult Rivercut course."