Kansas City, Mo.–Behind an outstanding performance by Spencer Skipper (Sr., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Business Management), the William Penn men’s golf team was a real contender at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships Monday and Tuesday.

The Statesmen finished fourth out of 11 teams with a 54-hole score of 893 (294-294-305) at the par-72 Swope Memorial Golf Course.  #8 Grand View held off the navy and gold as well as runner-up and #17 Mount Mercy (889) and third-place Culver-Stockton (890).  With the win, GVU earns the Heart’s automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships on May 24–27 in Moline, Ill.

The Vikings not only denied WPU the team crown, but also kept Skipper from a qualification as an individual as Myles Pfingsten won the medalist honor at five-under 211 (71-68-72).

Skipper paced his squad in third place out of 55 players at even-par 216 (70-70-76).  His pair of two-under-par rounds were the team’s best single-round efforts of the season.

Brandon Dizon (Jr., San Leandro, Calif., Sociology) was next for William Penn, placing 14th at 225 (77-71-77), while Frederik Lundsgaard (So., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) (72-78-76) and Justin Bothma (Sr., Boksburg, South Africa, Business Management) (75-75-76) both tied for 15th at 226.

Ben Roberts (Sr., Albia, Iowa, General Accounting) wrapped up the team’s scoring at 238 (80-81-77) to tie for 36th.

The tournament marks the end of the collegiate careers of Bothma, Ethan Powers (Tipton, Iowa, Physical Education), Roberts, and Skipper.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage