VERMILLION, S.D. – The Northwestern College Men's Golf concluded their 2021-22 fall and spring seasons with a fifth-place finish at the GPAC Championships at The Bluffs Golf Course in Vermillion, South Dakota on Saturday.
 
ROUND ONE
At the conclusion of the first round on Friday, the Raider men fired a team score of 315, propelling them to fifth place in the standings. Northwestern was led by the play of rookie Jackson Laven (Fr., Okoboji, Iowa/Spirit Lake) who signed the impressive score of 76, providing him with a tied for 18^th place finish. Laven was assisted by the performance of Kolby Newborg (Jr., Tea, S.D./Tea Area) who entered the clubhouse with the score of 78, leaving him in a tied for 24^th position. The Raiders grinded all throughout round one of the tournament, putting them in striking distance for a very well-placed finish.
 
WEATHER
During the first round of the GPAC Championships, the entire playing field was hindered by winds reaching 30+ mph. Unfortunately, the wind did not shy away at the start of round two. Because of this, the Raiders only completed a handful of holes prior to the blow of the horn suspending play. Following the suspension, the schools of the GPAC were relayed the news the second round of the GPAC Championships would be cancelled due to unplayable conditions, ending the season for most participating athletes. This would then cause the results to revert back to the scores after the conclusion of 56 holes, carrying over from the Fall GPAC Qualifier.
 
REVIEW
The Northwestern Red Raiders men's golf team placed fifth at the 2021-22 GPAC Championships after fighting for a total team score of 915 (297-303-315). This tournament brings their 2022 spring season to a close. This will also mark the career end for the two senior leaders in Trenton De Haan (Sr., Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley) and Alex Snyder (Sr., Alta, Iowa/Alta-Aurelia). Northwestern is glad to host two great men who finished two wonderful careers for the Raiders.
 
Morningside University stole the team title in the three-round event with a team score of 869 (278-293-298). Morningside also brought two players, Mason Weeks and Sam Storey, who shared the individual crown with the outstanding score of 216, shooting even for the tournament.
 
Raiders at the event (Italics = team low round):
T18     Jackson Laven           (77-76-76-229)
T24     Kolby Newborg         (80-74-78-231)
T24     Alex Snyder               (73-79-80-231)
T26     Brock Murphy             (70-78-85-233)
T26     Trenton De Haan        (77-75-81-233)