NIACC's Castle takes 1st day lead at Verhille Invite

IOWA CITY - NIACC sophomore Tim Castle shot a three-under par 69 to take the first-day lead at The Verhille Invitational Tuesday at the Finkbine Golf Course.

Castle, who prepped at Newman Catholic, holds a one-shot lead over Bellevue University's Natahan Ishaya, who sits in second place with a first round of 70.

"What an outstanding round of golf (Tuesday) for Tim," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "When you come to a marquee-type course like Finkbine, the juices get flowing and you really want to play well and he did.

"He was impressive from tee to green and his confidence in his ability to do what he wanted to do was spot on. This was a great way to start the tournament and he looks forward to getting after it (Wednesday)."

The round of 69 by Castle was one stroke off his career-best round of 68 at the NIACC Fall Invitational on Sept. 26, 2023. It was also the seventh round in the 60s for a NIACC men's golfer in the Chris Frenz era (2006-2024).

Castle is seeking his second individual medalist title of the spring. He also won the Graceland University Spring Invitational with a 76 on March 22.

Also for the Trojans on Tuesday, Anders Palmquist shot a spring season-best 76, Elic Fjetland shot 80 (matched his spring season best round), Jackson Koebernick shot 85 and Mitchell Staudt shot 90.

NIACC sits in ninth place with a team score of 310. Mount Mercy is the first-day leader with a 297. Park University and Hastings College are tied for second with rounds of 302.

"Anders Palmquist also continues to play very well," Frenz said. "We just need to get all of them to get it going (Wednesday) but conditions will be challenging."

Team standings - Mount Mercy 297, Park University 302, Hastings College 302, Baker University 303, St. Ambrose 306, Bellevue University 308, St. Ambrose B 308, Mount Mercy B 309, NIACC 310, Clarke University 312, Illinois Central College 315, Mount Mercy C 323.

NIACC MEN'S LOWEST SCORING ROUNDS UNDER FRENZ (FALL 2006-SPRING 2024)