The NMU golf team will continue their spring schedule this weekend when they travel to the Ranger Spring Invitational Saturday, March 29 as well as Sunday, March 30 in Parkside, Wisc.
The Wildcats last competed at the Battle at the Beach Friday, March 13 through Saturday, March 14 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. NMU finished the event with a 333 score, earning tenth out of 16 teams. On the second day, the Wildcats carded a 312 totaling 645 and finishing +24 for the tournament.
“We’ve all grown close as a team throughout the year,” senior Ayrton Mantha said. “We’re all ready to play good rounds, not only for ourselves but for each other.”
Sophomore Emil Lundgren finished fourth overall, scoring a +3 on Friday.
The next day, Lundgren finished with a +9 performance, combining for a 156 score.
“I didn’t feel very confident walking into the tournament,” Lundgren said. “I was pretty satisfied placing fourth after the first round. It was a tough course, and the weather conditions were tough.”
Mantha scored an 85 on Friday, then followed with an eight-stroke improvement, carding a 78 on Saturday and finished 46th with a 164-score in the tournament.
“It was all just mental,” Mantha said. “On the second day, I hit the ball pretty well, and I guess I just couldn’t get the putter rolling.”
Junior Alex Palmer finished the weekend with a combined score of 165 and was one stroke behind Mantha and sophomore Hunter Mires. Lundgren concluded the weekend 22nd overall, while sophomore Austin Elsner finished 40th.
Mantha came in at 46th, while Mires and Palmer finished 51st. Sophomore Dustin Dishaw finished 70th.
“We have a strong team bond,” Elsner said. “We would all love for the team to play well and make it to the Super Regionals.”