Graceland University Golf Claims First Place at Simpson Fall Invite

Indianola, Iowa – Graceland University's men's golf team secured a victory at the Simpson Fall Invite on Tuesday, finishing with a team score of +30 at Indianola Country Club. The Yellowjackets bested the hosting Simpson College teams, which finished second and third, by two and six strokes, respectively. Graceland's performance was spearheaded by strong showings from their top players, marking the second consecutive tournament where the team has made a notable impact.

Key Performances

Leading the charge for Graceland University was Saxen Hii, who finished in second place individually with a score of +5, just three strokes behind the overall leader. His consistent play across both rounds highlighted his ability to handle the increasingly difficult conditions as the day progressed. Fellow Yellowjackets Noah Hughes and Jonathan Paramananthan tied for third place with scores of +6, rounding out a strong showing from Graceland's top three golfers.

Head coach Kevin Brunner praised their performances, noting, "Good performance by the consistent three of Saxen, Noah, and Jon. Saxen paced the team for the second tournament in a row."

However, the competition was not without its challenges. The course conditions became more demanding as the tournament progressed, especially as the wind picked up later in the day. Coach Brunner remarked, "Shot 314 as a team – not great but under the conditions it was okay. Wind started to blow more as the day went on and we teed off in the first groups out."

Team Results

Graceland University's team score of +30 was just enough to edge out the top Simpson College team, which finished at +32. Simpson's "B" team followed closely behind, scoring +36, while William Penn's "B" team and Coe College completed the top five with scores of +38 and +40, respectively.

While the individual performances from Hii, Hughes, and Paramananthan played a significant role in securing the team's victory, the team continues to seek broader contributions across the lineup. Coach Brunner emphasized this need, stating, "Still looking for more support out of the entire team but overall – good team effort."

Griffin Haugh finished with a score of +13, tied for 36th, while Lennard Bliem posted a +15, placing 42nd. As the team progresses through the season, Coach Brunner and his staff will undoubtedly look for stronger finishes from the rest of the squad to complement the efforts of their leading trio.

Tournament Outlook

With two tournaments completed, Graceland University has positioned itself as a competitive force this season, though the team remains focused on improving consistency throughout its roster. The Simpson Fall Invite provided a good test of endurance and adaptability, with the challenging wind conditions putting a premium on shot placement and course management.

Looking ahead, Coach Brunner is already preparing his team for upcoming challenges. "The next couple of tournaments will be more challenging golf courses," Brunner noted, signaling that the team will face tougher competition and more difficult courses in the coming weeks.

Graceland University's next tournament is the Homecoming Fundraising Tournament, scheduled for Friday, October 4th at the Lamoni Golf and Country Club. Tee-off is set for 12:00 PM CDT.