Graceland Women’s Golf Wraps Fall Season at Heart Conference Preview
SMITHVILLE, Mo. – Oct. 21, 2025 – The Graceland University women's golf team concluded its fall season this week at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Fall Preview, hosted at the Paradise Pointe Golf Complex – Outlaw Course in Smithville, Missouri. Competing on the 5,932-yard, par-72 layout, the Yellowjackets finished 10th overall, posting a two-round team total of 889 (451-438).
The tournament served as the final event of the fall schedule for Graceland and featured ten Heart programs in a preview of the spring conference championship.
Zimmerman Paces Yellowjackets with Two-Day Top-25 Finish
Rylee Zimmerman led the Yellowjackets individually, finishing T-20th overall with a 36-hole total of 184 (+40). Zimmerman carded rounds of 93 and 91, navigating the hilly terrain and penal rough with consistency and a composed short game.
Behind Zimmerman, Macy Schilb finished T-40th, improving five shots from her first-round score to close with 106-97—203 (+59). Kennedy Jones tied for 44th, recording a 107-100—207 (+63).
Freshman Emma Jenkins rounded out Graceland's scoring, finishing 51st with a two-day total of 295 (145-150). The Yellowjackets did not record a fifth score in the team total for this event.
Conference Field Sets Benchmark at Paradise Pointe
Mount Mercy (Iowa) claimed the team title with a combined 670 (332-338), led by medalist Chiara Bothe, who posted rounds of 74-79 for a 153 (+9) finish. Baker University followed in second with 691, while Park University (713), William Penn (718), and Clarke University (721) rounded out the top five.
The tournament highlighted the depth of the Heart conference, with five players finishing under +20 and several teams displaying strong back-nine scoring. Graceland, while finishing 10th, saw individual improvements from round to round and gained critical experience playing alongside top-tier conference opponents.
Head Coach Kevin Brunner Reflects on Fall Season
"This was a challenging course to close out our fall, but I thought the women responded well to tough conditions," said head coach Kevin Brunner. "Rylee showed great composure across both rounds, and we saw promising signs of development from our entire lineup. The scores don't tell the full story—we're building the right habits to compete in the spring."
Brunner also emphasized the benefit of playing a conference preview at the same site as the upcoming spring championship.
"Getting reps on this course was invaluable," he said. "The team now understands where scoring opportunities exist and what areas we need to sharpen before we return in April."
Looking Ahead to Spring Championship Season
The fall season provided the Yellowjackets with four tournament opportunities to assess the lineup and measure performance against Heart and regional competition. With a mix of returning veterans and new contributors, Graceland will look to leverage this fall's experience when competition resumes in the spring.
Graceland will return to Paradise Pointe for the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship, scheduled for April 2026.
For more information on Graceland women's golf and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com