A week after winning the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championship on their home turf, the Grand View men's golf team travelled to Marion to take part in the Mount Mercy Spring Invitational. The final tune-up for the Vikings before the NAIA Championships was played at Hunter Ridge Golf Course. The Vikings, much like they did at the MCC Championships, took top honors at the two-day event by shooting a team total seven-over par.
The Vikings three-round total of 871 was 32 strokes better than second place Iowa Lakes Community College. To go along with Grand View's top place team finish was an individual honor for Graeme Malloy. Malloy finished the invitational at six-under par to give place him first among the field of 38 golfers. Malloy shot a tournament low 68 in the first round and followed that round up with rounds 72 and 70.
"Graeme has really had a phenomenal senior season. But this spring has been very special. After a mediocre opening spring tournament in Dallas in which he shot 74-74-77, he has rattled off, in succession, a fifth, a third, a runner-up and a first in the remaining spring tournaments," said head coach Chris Winkel. "Graeme is ten under par in his last two events, including the runner-up finish at The Midwest Collegiate Conference Championship last week. Graeme finished in third place in the NAIA Classic two weeks ago and the Lindenwood Invitational last fall. Both tournament fields were made up of the best teams and players from around the country."
Finishing in the top five with Molloy were Grand View golfers Yousaf Khan and Rick Fee. Khan's three-round scores of 71, 72, and 71 placed him third, while Fee finished fifth after shooting a total score of 222 to finish six-over par.
Grand View will not be action again until the NAIA Championships begin on May 19th at the TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, IL.
Coach Winkel added that he is extremely happy with his team's performance and is excited about their chances in the National Championships. "We have had a great year. Five team wins, a conference championship and a bid to the national tournament. Not to mention the great individual performances from many of our players. We are starting to play well again and I expect us to continue this success into the National Championships," Coach Winkel said.
