The Raiders took home first place at the Doane College Invitational at the Wilderness Ridge Golf Course September 17-18, finishing with a 36-hole total of 611, and finishing 22 strokes ahead of second place Morningside.
Junior Neil Malenke took home the individual championship by shooting a 146 for a two day score (71 and 75). Junior Ryan Kiewet finished in fifth with a 154 (78 and 76) and senior Michael Dykema tied for sixth with a 155 (81 and 74).
“Neil played really well, shooting a 71 at that tough of a course,” said junior Kyle Stanek. “He put the team on his back.”
However, members of the team admitted that while they were victorious, they felt that their play was definitely not as a sharp as it could be.
Sophomore Jay Monahan, who shot a 157 (79 and 78 for both days), said, “It is always good when you get the win, but I know that we can play better as a whole. It was comforting to know that even when we did not play up to our standards, that we could still manage to get the win.”
Monahan won GPAC Golfer of the Week for his efforts at this meet and the GPAC Qualifier on Sept. 13, making this the third straight week a Raider has collected the honor. Juniors Kyle Stanek and Ryan Kiewiet also have claimed the award earlier this year.
“It was a very tough course, probably the toughest course we will see all year,” Stanek said. “So winning by 22 strokes really shows the potential of this team. Coach [Aaron Aberson] was pleased we won, but understands that we need to play well there next spring for the GPAC meet, so this benefited us in getting a good feel for the course.”
The Raiders will play today and tomorrow at the Palace City Invite in Mitchell, S.D.
