The Charger golf teams competed in the Northwest Iowa Collegiate Showcase Monday at the Spencer Golf and Country Club. After the first 18 holes, the Briar Cliff women's golf team is in second place at +65. The Charger men are in fifth place with a score of +26 through two rounds. 
 
"I'm pleased with the overall play of the ladies today," said head coach Ben Irlbeck. "We did have a couple big numbers that cost us a better finish, but it's been a busy fall, and we couldn't end it at a better golf course."
 
The women's team trails Dakota Wesleyan by 12 strokes after day one. Molly Diekmann paced the Cliff and is tied for second place individually, with a first round score of 80 (+8). She rolled in three birdies.
 
"I'm still waiting on the breakout round from Molly," said Irlbeck. "Maybe she'll get that 76 or lower tomorrow. Her play has been solid all fall. To steal her own words, 'she's raised her expectation level' which has made all the difference for her."
 
Grace Johanson and Kelly Baade are also in the top-10 after 18 holes. Johanson carded an 87 (+15) and is in sixth place. Baade is tied for ninth with a score of 89 (+17). Emily Harste turned in a 97 (+25) and is tied for 26th. Sophia Johnson sits tied for 35th after posting a 105 (33). 
 
On the men's side, Gregorio Fernandez paced the Cliff with a 36-hole score of 145 (71, 74) and is tied for seventh. Shaunak Rama finished one stroke off Fernandez at 146 (74, 72) and is tied for 10th. Fernandez tallied four birdies while Rama had nine.
 
Elijah Lamoureux posted a 153 (77, 76) and is tied for 31st. Andrew Arndorfer and Mason Collins turned in matching rounds (81, 77) and are tied for 47th with a two-round score of 158. 
 
"The guys had some good stretches of holes throughout the day - but at the end of the day we didn't capitalize with enough birdies," said Irlbeck. "Greens were rolling smooth, and the course was set up in a scoring manner. We have had a couple slow starts the last few events, so I'm not concerned about tomorrow."
 
The Charger JV squad made up of Davess Verdugo, Braxton Brockhaus, Desmond Landin and Hugo Perez Dorsey are in 11th with a team score of +55. Verdugo is tied for 28th with a score of 152 (+8). Desmon Landin turned in a 156 (+12), Dorsey had a 157 (+13) and Brockhaus finished with a 166 (+22).
 
Briar Cliff golf returns to Spencer, Iowa Tuesday for the final day of the NW Iowa Collegiate Showcase.