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GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Graceland's Saxen Hii Shines, Yellowjackets Secure Second at Fall Invitational

Graceland's Saxen Hii Shines, Yellowjackets Secure Second at Fall Invitational

Results

Lamoni, IA — The Graceland University men's golf team turned in a strong performance at this year's Fall Invitational, securing a second-place finish behind Southwestern Iowa Community College (SWICC), who claimed the team championship. Graceland shot a collective 300 for the second time this season, matching their previous best score but falling just short of breaking the 300-mark, which remains a key team objective.

Leading the way for the Yellowjackets was Saxen Hii, who captured individual honors by finishing the day with a 2-under-par 70. Hii's steady play and clutch putting earned him the tournament's top individual spot, marking a significant highlight in Graceland's overall showing.

Head coach Kevin Brunner commented on Hii's victory and the team's efforts, saying, "Saxen had an outstanding round, playing extremely well under challenging conditions to secure the win with a -2, 70. As a team, we shot 300 again, which is a solid score, but we're still pushing hard to break that barrier. The first nine holes were played in mild conditions, but when the wind picked up on the back nine, the course became a real test. Overall, it was a good day for us."

The tournament began with relatively calm weather, offering mild temperatures and light winds, allowing players to take advantage of favorable conditions on the front nine. However, as the day progressed, gusting winds emerged on the back nine, significantly increasing the difficulty of the course. Despite these challenges, the Yellowjackets remained composed, finishing with a competitive team score of 300.

Graceland's performance at the Fall Invitational further solidifies the team's consistency this season. The Yellowjackets have now recorded two team rounds of 300, showcasing the roster's depth and talent. Despite the solid finish, the goal of breaking the 300-mark remains a priority for the team as they look to push through that threshold in upcoming competitions.

Southwestern Iowa Community College (SWICC) took the team championship, leading the field with consistent play and smart course management, particularly as conditions worsened. While Graceland's second-place finish was a commendable achievement, the Yellowjackets remain focused on continued improvement and reaching new milestones throughout the season.

The Fall Invitational adds to Graceland's growing list of strong results this season, with several standout individual and team performances. Coach Brunner and his squad will use this tournament as fuel to refine their game and build on the momentum heading into the next phase of their schedule.

Graceland University's men's golf team is now preparing for its next tournament on October 2nd at Indianola Country Club in Indianola, Iowa hosted by Simpson College.