Kirkwood Takes District Preview at Panorama

PANORA, Iowa - Ten teams met in Panora at Lake Panorama National Golf Course to conduct the Fall Preview of the 2023 Division II Men's Golf North Central District Golf Tournament. All teams were in attendance who will be there in early May with the exception of Central (Neb.). 

The teams played the two-day, 36-hole event in cold, windy conditions.  

After Day 1, Kirkwood held a two-stroke lead over Southeast (Neb.) after a collective 18-over from the team. Luke Evans, who ultimately earned medalist honors, posted a Day 1 72 (E) and held a two-stroke lead over Iowa Central's Nico Booyens and DMACC's Spencer Clatt. Three other Eagles were in the top 5 -- Nathan Bratanata, Taylor Crisp and Kyle Arthofer -- after the first day.

On Day 2 Kirkwood once again finished with the low round as a team -- with a 298, 10-over par. Iowa Central rallied from 7th place to finish in 3rd after posting a Day 2, 12-over par -- good for second on the day. 

By tournament's end, Evans took home first place, individually, followed by Booyens and Cole Fedderson of Southeast (Neb.). Kirkwood won the tournament by seven strokes over the runner up Storm of Southeast (Neb.)

All teams are scheduled to return to the course on May 1-2, 2023 to determine who will go to the Division II National Tournament at Swan Lake in Plymouth, Ind. There the teams will compete in a two-day, 54-hole championship with the top three teams and two individuals not on qualifying teams advancing to nationals.