For the first time since 2017, the Briar Cliff women's golf team has been crowned the GPAC Champions. The Chargers won the team trophy Tuesday afternoon at the Spencer Country Club in Spencer, Iowa.

The Blue and Gold earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois on May 23-26.

ROUND THREE
The Chargers fired a team score of 344 (+56) in the final round en route to a GPAC Championship team title. Briar Cliff concluded the event with an 11-stroke advantage over second-place Dakota Wesleyan. Morningside's Sofia Castelan earned the individual title with her impressive total score of 244 (+28).

"I'm very proud of the ladies to finish it out today", said head coach Ben Irlbeck. "They fought the weather, physically and mentally, through the 54 holes."

Helene Getz Bergmo fired a round-three score of 83 (+11) after carding back-to-back 82's (+10) on day one. Bergmo's final round saw eight pars, which were assisted by her lone birdie of the tournament on hole 12. After being tied for the lead through two rounds, Bergmo wrapped up her tournament with a tie for second place finish.

"Helene battled, but came up just a few strokes short", explained Irlbeck. "It really was only a few loose swings that was the overall difference. It is extremely difficult to win individually as every shot feels like it is life or death."

Grace Johanson and Frankie Valencia both finished in the top-10 with matching total scores of 263 (+47). In round three, Johanson recorded her second-lowest round of the event with an 85 (+13). Johanson managed to sink eight pars in her final round to finish in a tie for seventh place. Valencia returned to the clubhouse with the round-three score of 89 (+17). Her round was a tale of two nines as she carded a 48 (+12) on the front and a 41 (+5) on the back. Valencia scrambled for five pars and a lone birdie en route to a tie for seventh place finish.

"Grace had a stretch of golf today that matched her best golf of the season", said Irlbeck. "Having that round at the right time was key to the team's win today, whereas Frankie rode the roller coaster all week. Her ups and downs were dramatic, but she ended up placing top-10 overall, which shows how talented she really is. Her senior leadership will be missed next year!"

Abbigale Miller solidified the team title for the Chargers in round three as she sunk her last putt to sign the score of 87 (+15). She stayed consistent between the front nine and back nine, signing the scores of 44 (+8) and 43 (+7), respectively. Miller battled well to earn three pars and her first birdie of the event on the final hole as she sunk a long 40-foot putt to finish in a tie for 17th place.

"Abbigale's 40-foot putt on the final hole was just icing on the cake", noted Irlbeck. "She really came on strong to help secure the team title."

Kelly Baade recorded her lowest round of the event on day two, carding the score of 89 (+17). Baade scrambled well to tally four pars and her first birdie of the event on the challenging par-three 13th hole. After firing the day one scores of 96 (+24) and 94 (+22), Baade rounded out the tournament for the Chargers in a tie for 35th place.

"Kelly continues to gain experience on the course, which will be imperative to the forward progress of our team", said Irlbeck. "Also, having Coach Raul on the course was a huge help today!"

The Chargers now prep for the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois on May 23-26.

"One of the neatest things about winning a championship is realizing how many people support the team", Irlbeck explained. "Briar Cliff had a great following these past couple days and there is more greatness yet to come! I'm very grateful to be surrounded by such a good group of young adults. Thank you to all who helped make this team a success this season!"

Chargers at the event (Bold = team-low round):
T2        Helene Getz Bergmo                247 (82-82-83)
T7        Grace Johanson                       263 (84-94-85)
T7        Frankie Valencia                       263 (90-84-89)
T20      Abbigale Miller                         269 (95-87-87)
T37      Kelly Baade                               279 (96-94-89)