Grace Men’s Golf Fields Deep, Talented Squad

September 6, 2023 at 6:35 p.m.
2023 team photo of Grace College men's golf.
2023 team photo of Grace College men's golf.

By Adam Basinger

WINONA LAKE – The Grace men’s golf program is excited to kick off the 2023-24 season after making its fourth appearance in five years at the NCCAA Championships last season.
This year’s squad boasts a wealth of experience from top to bottom. Five returners and four newcomers make up the roster for Coach Denny Hepler.
“We have a great group this year,” said Hepler. “We are very excited about our depth and believe our newcomers will make an immediate impact.”
Graduate student Blake Lawson returns for a fifth year. His 77.2 scoring average led the team a year ago. He carded a season-low 69, capping off a second-place finish at the Battle at Brookwood last fall.
Senior Parker Wilburn, the 2021 NCCAA individual national champion and NCCAA All-American, finished the year with a 79.5 scoring average. He tied a career-best 69 at the Ackerman-Allen Shootout. Fellow senior Tristen Dubbs finished the year with an 80.6 scoring average.
A pair of sophomores – Isaac Embry (79.4), who competed in all contests last season, and Gavin Tidd (87.2) – will look to make an impact after gaining valuable experience last year.
Four newcomers will join the ranks for the Lancers. All four look to make their mark after qualifying for the state golf tournament during their high school careers. Three freshmen include: Matthew Shull, a member of Westfield High School’s state runner-up team, Luke Rosebrook, a native of Archbold, Ohio, and Jack Stewart, state qualifier from Penn.
Junior transfer Camron Jones, who competed previously at NCAA Div. I Chicago State University, adds experience and depth to the lineup.
Grace has six tournaments on the docket for the fall season. In September, the Lancers will compete in the NCCAA Regional Qualifier with hopes of earning a spot at the NCCAA Championships in Palm Coast, Fla., from Oct. 23-25.
After the winter break, the focus will shift towards the Crossroads League Championships, which will be held in the spring.
"Our league is tough," commented Hepler. "We are counting on our experience and strong work ethic to move up the leaderboard."
The 2023-24 campaign begins at the Ken Venturi Invitational hosted by Trine University on Wednesday.

WINONA LAKE – The Grace men’s golf program is excited to kick off the 2023-24 season after making its fourth appearance in five years at the NCCAA Championships last season.
This year’s squad boasts a wealth of experience from top to bottom. Five returners and four newcomers make up the roster for Coach Denny Hepler.
“We have a great group this year,” said Hepler. “We are very excited about our depth and believe our newcomers will make an immediate impact.”
Graduate student Blake Lawson returns for a fifth year. His 77.2 scoring average led the team a year ago. He carded a season-low 69, capping off a second-place finish at the Battle at Brookwood last fall.
Senior Parker Wilburn, the 2021 NCCAA individual national champion and NCCAA All-American, finished the year with a 79.5 scoring average. He tied a career-best 69 at the Ackerman-Allen Shootout. Fellow senior Tristen Dubbs finished the year with an 80.6 scoring average.
A pair of sophomores – Isaac Embry (79.4), who competed in all contests last season, and Gavin Tidd (87.2) – will look to make an impact after gaining valuable experience last year.
Four newcomers will join the ranks for the Lancers. All four look to make their mark after qualifying for the state golf tournament during their high school careers. Three freshmen include: Matthew Shull, a member of Westfield High School’s state runner-up team, Luke Rosebrook, a native of Archbold, Ohio, and Jack Stewart, state qualifier from Penn.
Junior transfer Camron Jones, who competed previously at NCAA Div. I Chicago State University, adds experience and depth to the lineup.
Grace has six tournaments on the docket for the fall season. In September, the Lancers will compete in the NCCAA Regional Qualifier with hopes of earning a spot at the NCCAA Championships in Palm Coast, Fla., from Oct. 23-25.
After the winter break, the focus will shift towards the Crossroads League Championships, which will be held in the spring.
"Our league is tough," commented Hepler. "We are counting on our experience and strong work ethic to move up the leaderboard."
The 2023-24 campaign begins at the Ken Venturi Invitational hosted by Trine University on Wednesday.

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