The Dordt University men's golf team had a record-setting day at the Raider Spring Invitational, a single-day, 36-hole event played at Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, Iowa.
The Defenders had two teams compete in the meet and both set a program record and finished among the top five teams.
Dordt's 'A' squad finished third overall wtih a 36-hole total of 563 (-5). The Defenders shot a season-best 289 on the first 18-holes and came back with a program-record 274 in the afternoon session, a score that shattered the old mark of 281 set on August 29, 2022 at the UC Ferguson Classic.
The Defenders 'B' squad began their day with a 297 on the first 18 holes and shot a 279 in the afternoon, a score that also broke the previous record. Dordt's 'B' team placed fourth overall with a 36-hole total of 576, finishing as the top 'B' team in the field.
Northwestern, the host team, won the meet and also set a program-record score of 546 (272/274). Morningside was a close second with a 548 (276/272); three teams, Northwestern (-22), Morningside (-20) and Dordt (-5) finished the tournament under par. A total of 10 teams comprised the field.
Four Defenders finished with a score in the red and among the top 10 individuals, led by
Trey Van Groningen who finished tied for second with a career-best, 36-hole round of 136 (-6). The freshman shot an opening round 74 (+3) and then came back with a school-record, nine-under 62 over the final 18 holes. Van Groningen filled his scorecard with red, recording 11 birdies, five pars and two bogies; he shot a 30 (-5) on the front and a 32 (-4) on the back. Van Groningen breaks the program-record of 64, shot by Freddy Bullock in 2023 on the same course.
Sam Wolfe (T4th), Ian Grossman (T6th) and
Joseph Wolfe (T6th) also shot under par and led the Defenders 'A' team. Sam Wolfe tied Dylan Welford (Morningside) for fourth place with a career-best round of 137 (-5). The junior shot an opening round 70 (-1) and came back with a 67 (-4) over the final 18 holes; he made eight birdies on the day.
Grossman opened with a 74 but came back with a 64 in the afternoon session, a number that would have tied Bullock for the program record, for a 36-hole score of 138 (-4). Grossman made five consecutive birdies at one point and totaled 10 birdies over his final 18 holes.
Joseph Wolfe matched Grossman's score and shot under-par in each of his rounds. Wolfe began with a 1-under 70 and closed with a 3-under 68 over the final 18 holes. He recorded eight birdies on the day.
Caleb Douma (T31st - 150; 75/75) and
Leyton Roetman (T40th - 153, 75/78) round out the 'A' team scores.
Following Van Groningen on the 'B' team,
Evan Wood finished tied for 21st with a 36-hole score of 145 (74/71).
Deacon Branderhorst (T25 - 147; /74/73),
David Chacon (T27th - 148; 75/73),
Caden Koole (T40th - 153; 80/73) complete the Defenders scores.
Notes:
- this was the fourth meet of the spring season and the final tune-up prior to the GPAC Championship on April 20-21, a two-day, 54-hole event played at Dakota Dunes
- Landsmeer is a 6,432-yard, par 71 course
- conditions were 65 degrees, calm winds, some rain and some sun
- six Dordt golfers posted their career-best score; 2 Defenders their season-best score
- Deacon Branderhorst matched his career-best 36-hole total
- David Chacon posted his season-best, 36-hole score
- Ian Grossman posted his best career score and his best finish; first top 10 finish of his career
- Caden Koole shot his season-best 36-hole score
- Trey Van Groningen shot his career-best score and his best finish; second top 10 finish of his career
- Joe Wolfe recorded his best 36-hole score and his best finish; first top 10 finish of his career
- Sam Wolfe recorded his best 36-hole score and his best finish; first top 10 finish of his career
- Evan Wood recorded his best 36-hole score and his best finish; first top 10 finish of his career
