Castle leads NIACC men at Graceland Invite

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Freshman Tim Castle shot a 77 on Saturday to lead the NIACC men's golf team on the second day of the Graceland University Spring Invitational.

Castle, who prepped at Newman Catholic, shot 82-77 - 159 and tied for 23rd in the individual medalist competition in the 10-team tournament on the Mozingo Lake Golf Course.

"Tim Castle was really good (Saturday)," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "He started the day rolling in about a 25-foot birdie putt and then had a bit of a roller coaster ride with four more birdies and a few bogeys sprinkled in there.

"He needed this type of effort and I think this will kick start a good spring season."

The 77 by Castle was his second-best round at NIACC. Castle's career best round was 74 at the Buena Vista Fall Invitational on Sept. 18.

Also for the Trojans, sophomore Kai Nelles shot 80-82 - 162 (tied for 32nd), sophomore Bryce Malchow shot 86-84 - 170, freshman Ryan Berkley shot 93-83 - 176 and freshman Jackson Koebernick shot 96-90 - 186.

NIACC placed eighth in the team standings with rounds of 341-326 - 667. Morningside University was the team champion with a 301-294 - 595.

Also for the NIACC men, Anders Palmquist shot 84-82 - 166, Elic Fjetland shot 89-85 - 174, Mitchell Staudt shot 94-83 - 177 and Bennett Suntken shot 101-96 - 197.

"(Saturday) was a better day for everyone so even though we're not ecstatic with our scores, we've come away with a better feeling about ourselves," Frenz said. "Everyone played better (Saturday) but we know we need to get everyone in the 70s."

Team standings - Morningside 301-294 595, Southwestern 313-298 - 611, Hawkeye CC 303-313 - 615, Kansas City (Kan.) CC 313-309 - 622, Buena Vista 327-317 - 344, Morningside B 335-309 - 644, Waldorf 328-330 - 658, NIACC 341-326 - 667, North Central Missouri 337-334 - 671, Graceland 362-no Saturday team score.