Nebraska Wesleyan’s streak of Great Plains Athletic Conference men’s golf championships ended at four as the Prairie Wolves tied for second at the 2008 GPAC Men’s Golf Championships held at Green Valley Golf Course in Sioux City, Iowa on April 21-22. NWU finished with a team score of 613, to tie for second with Dordt College. Dakota Wesleyan University won the 2008 GPAC Championship with a total of 602.
NWU was tied for fourth after the first day with a team score of 314. Day one was played in cold windy conditions in Sioux City. The Prairie Wolves were able to improve their second day team score by 15 strokes, but it wasn’t enough as Dakota Wesleyan shot a 297 to hold off the Prairie Wolves and prevent them from winning the GPAC title for the first time since 2003.
Individually, Patrick Hanzel was the only Prairie Wolves golfer to finish in the top 10. Hanzel, a freshman from Lincoln, Neb., shot a total of 152 (76-76) to tie for ninth individually and earn All-GPAC honors.
Nate Jaeger had the biggest improvement from day one as he improved his score by 12 strokes. The sophomore from Lexington, Neb., shot a 1-under 71 on Tuesday after firing an 83 on Monday. Jaeger placed in a tie for 13th.
Senior Tyler Lawson and freshman Geoff Oliphant both finished with scores of 155 to tie for 18th place. Lawson (McCook, Neb.) had rounds of 77 and 78, while Oliphant (Billings, Mont.) shot an 80 and 75.
Rounding out the NWU lineup was sophomore Phil Hranac. Hranac (Kearney, Neb.) shot a 158 (81-77) to tie for 26th.
Luke Vermeer from Northwestern College was the individual medalist shooting an even par 144 (70-74). Chris Rager from Morningside College was the runner-up at 1-over par 145 (73-72).
