Storm take third at Wartburg thanks to strong second round

WAVERLY, Iowa – The Simpson men's golf team got big, second-round efforts from Andy Hutchins, Shaan Desai and Nathan Molstead on the way to a third-place finish at the Wartburg Invitational over the weekend.

The 36-hole tournament concluded Saturday from the par 72, 6,614-yard layout at Centennial Oaks Golf Club. Simpson shaved 11 strokes off its team score on Saturday, shooting 308 to close at 627. Kirkwood CC won the tournament (604), followed by Nebraska Wesleyan (606).

The Storm finished ahead of Iowa Conference foes Wartburg, Buena Vista, Luther and Coe.

Hutchins, Desai and Mosltead all fired 4-over 76 in the final round. Hutchins shot 156 for the weekend, tied for ninth out of the 60 individuals competing.

Trent Lindenman was Simpson's leader going into play Saturday, shooting a 77 on Friday. He closed with an 80, putting him in a tie for 12th at 157. Desai also tied for 12th.

Molestead saw the most improvement over the weekend, cutting seven strokes from Friday's 83. He tied for 20th with a 159.

Nick Hartman rounded out the lineup with a 164, tied for 32nd.

Loras First-Round Update

Simpson began play at the Duhawk Spring Invitational on Sunday, April 12. The Storm shot 304 at Thunder Hills Country Club in Peosta, good for third behind leader Central (287) and second-place AIB (296). Lindenman carded a 1-under 70 to enter Monday's final round in second place, one stroke behind Central's Adam Squires (69).

Wartburg Invitational Team Standings

1. Kirkwood CC, 307-297-604; 2. Nebraska Wesleyan, 313-293-606; 3. Simpson, 319-308-627; 4. Wartburg, 326-313-639; t5. Iowa Lakes CC, 340-311-651; t5. Wartburg B, 338-313-651; 7. Grinnell, 328-326-654; 8. Buena Vista, 347-313-660; 9. Luther, 349-318-667; 10. Macalester, 351-320-671; 11. Coe, 367-333-700.

Simpson Scorecard

t9. Hutchins, 80-76-156
t12. Lindenman, 77-80-157
t12. Desai, 81-76-157
t20. Molestead, 83-76-159
t32. Hartman, 81-83-164