Men's Golf Competes with National Field in Arizona

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. – The Doane University men's golf team competed in a loaded national field at The Battle, finishing 18th overall with a three-round total of 929 (313-306-310).

The tournament, held March 23-24 at Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Bullhead City, Arizona, was hosted by Wayland Baptist and featured one of the strongest fields of the spring, including 12 teams ranked inside the NAIA Top 25 and multiple programs receiving votes.

Top-ranked Keiser led the field, while other nationally ranked teams included No. 3 Oklahoma City, No. 6 OUAZ, No. 7 Friends, No. 8 Marian (IN), No. 12 Texas Wesleyan, No. 15 MidAmerica Nazarene, No. 17 Wayland Baptist, No. 20 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 22 Victoria BC, No. 23 Rocky Mountain, No. 25 Hastings, and No. 30 Texas A&M - Victoria highlighting the depth of competition.

The Tigers showed improvement in the middle round of play, carding their lowest team score of the tournament with a 306 in round two before closing with a 310. 

Leading the way for Doane was Heidar Bjarnason, who finished tied for 41st overall with a 54-hole total of 228 (76-77-75). Bjarnason delivered consistent play across all three rounds to pace the Tigers.

Joshua Wassmer added a strong showing, tying for 47th with a 229 (78-77-74), highlighted by his best round of the tournament on the final day.

Cauy Walters finished tied for 68th with a 235 (79-76-80), while Carson Kildow placed tied for 83rd at 241 (80-76-85). Ben Kottmeyer rounded out the lineup, finishing 95th with a 250 (88-81-81).

The tournament title was claimed by Keiser with a team score of 879, while Patrick Neal of MidAmerica Nazarene earned medalist honors with a 212.

Competing against a field stacked with nationally ranked opponents, Doane gained valuable experience as the Tigers continue their spring season.

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