GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Northwest Nazarene men's golf took on a very tough field at the RJGA Palm Valley Classic from Monday to Tuesday, finishing 15th.

The tournament included three ranked men's teams and many of the top programs from the West and South Central Regions. 

After shooting just over 300 in the first two rounds, the Nighthawks improved on the final day with a 294 to total 900 over the three rounds. Other GNAC teams that participated were Western Washington (4th) and Montana State Billings (11th).

"We played much better today," said head coach Craig Stensgaard. "For quite a bit of the day we were under par and had some good momentum."

Lane Strand was very solid and consistent all tournament, shooting even par over the two days with rounds of 70, 73, and 73 (216 total) to finish in a tie for 21st overall.

Strand excelled on par fours, tying for second among the entire filed with a -3 average on such holes. He also tied for seventh with 13 total birdies over the three days.

"Lane was able to finish off a really solid tournament and played very well," added Stensgaard.

Cole Evarts was next for NNU, totaling a 227 to tie for 67th. After struggling on Monday, Tyler Joplin and Truman Gregory both turned in great rounds on day two, carding 72 (E) and 73 (+1) respectively to each move into a tie for 74th at 229.

Grayson Giboney rounded out the participants for the Nighthawks, shooting a 241.

The regular season is now complete for the NNU men, who next look to the GNAC Championships on April 18-19 up north at Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.