Pioneer Golf Kicks Off Spring Season

Pioneer Golf Kicks Off Spring Season-Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 3/10/25

Springfield, MO- Pioneer Golf picked up its Spring swing, taking three golfers to compete in the Valor Spring Invitational hosted by Evangel University in Springfield, MO. The invitational was slotted for a three-round, 54-hole tournament with the seven schools completing 36 holes on day one before wrapping up with a final 18 holes on day two. However due to a 90-minute frost delay this morning, only 30 holes could be completed during the competition's day one action due to lack of daylight.  The Pioneers will pick up where they left off tomorrow morning before competing in the final go-round of 18.

Freshman Reece Kieffner, freshman Hogan Nelson, and senior Walker Hibbs traveled with 5th-year veteran coach Adam Meeker to represent the Pioneers on the course in the invitational. 

Day one incomplete standings: 

At the end of today's action, Kieffner would lead the trio as the Newport native currently sits +20 over par finishing round one +14, and sits +6 through 13 holes completed in round 2, tied for 27th overall. 

Hogan Nelson comes in second as the Texan thawed out nicely after the frost delay, outshooting fellow freshman Kieffner with a one-shot gap in the opening 18, finishing +13 over par, but with a consistent round two, Nelson sits behind Kieffner at +10 with 5 holes to go, in a five-way tie for 35th overall. 

Rounding off the trio would be senior Pioneer golfer Walker Hibbs as Hibbs wrapped up the opening round at +19 and currently sits +17 over through his completed portion of the second round, placing Hibbs tied for 50th individually. 

Up Next: The three Pioneers will conclude round two in the morning before teeing off for a final 18 holes to wrap up the Valor Spring Invitational. #GOPIONEERS