Luke Vermeer claimed medalist honors and was crowned the GPAC Men's Golf Individual Champion at the GPAC Championships played at Green Valley Golf Club in Sioux City, Iowa. The sophomore from Sioux Center, Iowa shot an even-par 144, one shot better than runner-up Chris Rager from Morningside. Vermeer shot a two-under 70 and had a two stroke advantage after day one and carded a 74 on day two. By winning the GPAC Championship, he earned GPAC Player-of-the-Year honors and will advance to play in the regional tournament next week at the Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, S.D. Vermeer is the second GPAC champion from Northwestern in three years (Dan Laaveg in 2006).
Northwestern as a team dropped three spots after day one and finished in ninth place overall with a 639. They shot a 318 and were in sixth place after day one and carded a 321 on day two. Dakota Wesleyan won the team championship with a 602, 11 shots in front of Nebraska Wesleyan and Dordt, who tied for second with a 613. Hastings (617), Midland Lutheran (619) and USF (621) will also move on to regionals next week. The top five teams, minus Nebraska Wesleyan, and any individual that finishes in the top 10 that is not part of a top-five team advance to regional play.
After Vermeer's first place finish, senior Nathan Summers finished tied for 37th place with a 162 (82/80). Kyle McGranahan tied for 43rd with a 164 while Justin Pannkuk (169) and Jamie Jeltema (177) were the other NWC golfers.
The regional tournament will be played at Elmwood Golf Course in Sioux Falls, S.D. and will begin on Monday, April 29. The tournament will conclude on Tuesday, April 30.
Official GPAC Release
Region III Qualifiers
