This is the Northern Michigan University men's golf team that set a program record with a team score of 287 on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at the Al Watrous Invitational held at the Saginaw Valley Public Golf Course in Bay City. Flanking the group is head coach Bob Bastian, right, and team senior Carter Mason, a Negaunee High School graduate who led the team with a two-day total of 144 at the event. (Photo courtesy NMU)

By Journal Sports Staff

BAY CITY — The men’s golf team at Northern Michigan University set a school record for an 18-hole team score at the Al Watrous Invitational held at Saginaw Valley Public Golf Course over the weekend.

The Wildcats finished sixth out of 15 teams, including finishes ahead of a half-dozen GLIAC squads. They were only two strokes out of fourth place.

Northern put together its record team score of 287 on Saturday, adding 294 on Sunday for a 581 total.

Former GLIAC member Findlay won with 284-279–563, with the host Saginaw Valley State runner-up with 290-282–572. Grand Valley State was third with 286-288–574, then Wayne State fourth with 289-290–579 and Ashland fifth 291-289–580.

Following the Wildcats were another SVSU team tied with Tiffin at 588, then Northwood 589, Walsh 590, Ferris State 599, Wisconsin-Parkside 603, Davenport 609, Lake Superior State 611 and Northwood No. 2 team 615.

Senior Carter Mason, a Negaunee High School graduate, led NMU by tying for 16th, shooting even-par 72 each round for 144.

Next was senior Nick Rowley in a tie for 24th with 70-76–146, while senior James Callahan tied for 30th with 75-72–147, sophomore Eric Yun tied for 39th with 70-78–148 and sophomore Walter Ylitalo tied for 46th with 75-74–149.

SVSU’s Jiseung Choi won the individual title with 68-71–139, while Nick Krueger of GVSU, Caleb Westfall of Findlay and Thomas Keyte of SVSU tied for second each with 140.

NMU heads to Findlay, Ohio, next Monday and Tuesday to take part in the Doc Spragg Fall Invitational at the Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio.

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