By Natalie Hanna · Sports Editor
MEADVILLE — The Grove City College men’s and women’s golf teams competed at Allegheny College’s annual Kuhn Invitational on Sept. 20-21.
The women’s team placed ninth out of 13 teams, with sophomore Emily Burling finishing third out of 73 competitors. She tallied a score of 150, posting 74 in the first round and 76 in the second.
Senior Lauren Kardos totaled 166 over the two days, shooting an 80-86 split to finish 21st, and junior Sydney Goettel tied for 50th after shooting 192 (92-100). Sophomore Mackenzie Boley and junior Gabby Kinneer took 55th and 59th, respectively. Boley summed 196 (99-97), and Kinneer shot 199 (105-94).
The Wolverines finished with a team score of 698 on 36 holes.
“I think our ability to stay positive, encourage one another and continue working even when things do not go exactly as planned has helped to make us stronger,” Kardos said. “We are dedicated and fully committed to putting in the work, and our overall consistency and team chemistry have helped to play a role in the success we have seen so far this season.”
The men’s team secured 10th with a team total of 622 after competing against 11 other teams, and junior Luke Gronbeck led Grove City with a 12th-place individual finish out of 63 men. He shot 74 in the first round and closed with 73 in the second for a total of 137 on the 36 holes.
Gronbeck has stood out this season, taking second at the Westminster Invitational, placing third by shooting six-under at the Penn State Altoona Toftrees Invitational and being named PAC Men’s Golfer of the Week twice.
“It’s definitely been a good start to the season, and I’m very thankful that I was able to put a good weekend together at Toftrees,” Gronbeck said. “I have been putting well this season, and I think that has played a major role in being able to put a good score together.”
Senior Nathan Young placed 27th at the Kuhn Invitational by shooting rounds of 77 and 76 for a 153 total. Junior Will Nelson took 40th with a 158 (81-77), while senior Tyler Derstein finished 55th after shooting 82 back-to-back for 164. Rounding out the lineup with a 170 (86-84), junior Seth Hartman took 60th place.
“Throughout preseason and into the school year, our team has bonded very well, and I think that allows us to play our best golf when we’re on the course,” Gronbeck said. “We all love to practice and get better alongside our teammates, and the culture has encouraged everyone to improve as much as they can so we can obtain good results as a team.”
The men also won the team title at its annual Grove City Fall Invitational Monday with a score of 296. Additionally, Young earned the individual medal by shooting a two-under 70, and two other Wolverines joined Young in the top five. Gronbeck took third with a 74, and Hartman shot a 75 to place him fifth.
The women will host its Grove City Fall Invitational Monday, followed by the PAC championships on Oct. 12-13.
“If we continue to put in the work through short-game practice, playing nine holes at least once a week and staying focused and intentional during our range sessions, I believe we can put ourselves in a strong position heading into PACs,” Kardos said.
Gronbeck is also looking forward to future matches.
“We have a chance to compete for the championship this year, but it is going to take all of us playing good golf for all four rounds,” he said. “It’s important to get off to a good start this fall to set us up for the spring.”
