Carter Mason

AUGUSTA — Negaunee High School graduate Carter Mason led the Northern Michigan University men’s golf team Friday during the first day of the three-day-long GLIAC Championships being played through Sunday at Stoatin Brae Golf Club in Augusta, which is located between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.

Mason is in a six-way tie for ninth place after shooting a 1-over-par 72. The Wildcats are tied for seventh place in the 10-team field at 20-over-par 304.

Davenport leads the way with a 3-under-par 281, followed by Ferris State at 285 and Grand Valley State at 288. Following them are Northwood, Purdue Northwest and Wayne State, while Saginaw Valley State is tied with NMU.

Trailing the Wildcats are Lake Superior State and Wisconsin-Parkside.

Northern’s No. 2 scorer on day 1 was Eric Yun, who was tied for 28th with 76, while Caden Dunn tied for 31st with 77 and Walter Ylitalo and Jim Callahan were part of a tie for 40th, each with 79.

Teams can field up to five golfers each day with the team using the best four rounds in their team score.

The individual leader was Ferris’ Thomas Hursey with a 4-under-par 67, while GVSU’s Charles Delong, Davenport’s Brandon Bodis and Ferris’ Josh Jeffords were tied for second, each with 69.

All teams continue with stroke play today to come up with a 36-hole score, then the top four teams continue into match play. Northwood’s fourth-place score Friday was 291, 13 shots lower than NMU.

Stoatin Brae Golf Club sits elevated on one of Kalamazoo County’s highest points. In terms of play, it’s playing at 6,742 yards and called wide open and exceptionally windy, fast and firm.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.