No. 19 Trailblazer Golf takes 9th at Spring Skyhawk Invitational

NEWNAN, Ga. – The Vincennes University Golf team began their 2025 Spring schedule earlier this week when the Trailblazers headed to Newnan Country Club in Newnan, Ga. for the 2025 Spring Skyhawk Classic hosted by Point University.

The Trailblazers opened the 2025 Spring schedule ranked No. 19 in the country in this week's NJCAA Division II Golf rankings.

VU got off to a strong start in the 54-hole, two day tournament, opening competition Monday morning with the first and second rounds before returning to the course Tuesday morning for round three.

Freshman Landon Gardner (Danville, Ind.) was the low man for the Trailblazers during the tournament, finishing his first round with the team tournament best score of two-over 74, including having three birdies in the round.

Gardner would then close out day one with an 81 before rebounding in round three with a 78 to finish with a tournament total of 233 and finish in 21st place overall.

Freshman Kadin Gibson (Franklin, Ind.) was the next VU finisher, bouncing back from an opening round 83 to close out day one with a 78 in round two and a 79 in round three.

Gibson finished his first round of the tournament with two birdies, including posting a two on the Par 3 12th along with teammate sophomore Alex Nealis (Olney, Ill.).

Gibson finished the tournament with two more birdies in round three, finishing with a tournament total of 240 and placing in a tie for 32nd overall.

Gibson would finish in a tie with freshman Brock Naile (Trico, Ill.) who had a very consistent tournament, shooting an 80 and 81 in the first two rounds before coming back Tuesday to post a 79.

Naile finished the tournament with a bang, collecting three birdies in round three, including back-to-back birdies on holes eight and nine.

Alex Nealis also got off to a hot start to the tournament, posting a 79 in the opening round, with two birdies.

Nealis came back in rounds two and three with an 84 and an 87 to finish with a tournament total of 250, placing him 46th overall.

Freshman Parker Steininger (Vincennes, Ind.) competed as an individual during the tournament, finishing with an 84 and a 90 to close out day one before coming back strong in round three to post an 82 to take 49th overall.

Freshman Matthew Mills (Boonville, Ind.) rounded out the Trailblazer results shooting a 91 and a 99 in the two rounds Monday and closing out the tournament with a 93 in round three.

The Trailblazers as a team finished with a score of 316 in round one, 324 in round two and 323 in round three for a tournament total of 963 to place ninth overall.

The Trailblazers will look to get back into the swing of things as the Spring season continues Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14 at the Lincoln Trail Spring Invitational at Quail Creek Country Club in Robinson, Ill.

The Trailblazers will then take part in the Brad Rose Collegiate tournament at Willow Creek Golf Course in Knoxville, Tenn. Monday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 18.

VINCENNES RESULTS

TEAM RESULTS

VU (9th) – 316, 324, 323 – 963

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Landon Gardner (21) – 74, 81, 78 – 233

Kadin Gibson (32) – 83, 78, 79 – 240

Brock Naile (32) – 80, 81, 79 – 240

Alex Nealis (46) – 79, 84, 87 – 250

Parker Steininger (49) – 84, 90, 82 – 256

Matthew Mills (54) – 91, 99, 93 - 283