Great Lakes Wire

The Northern Michigan University men's golf team concluded their participation in the GLIAC Championships held at the Stoatin Brae Club in Augusta, Michigan. The team completed the second round with a score of +13 (297), culminating in a weekend total of +39 (607) and securing 8th place overall.

Head coach Eric Johnson commented on freshman Arthur Ylitalo's performance: "Great finish by Arthur [Ylitalo] as a freshman in his first GLIAC Championship." He added, "Obviously we are disappointed in our finish, but we know we have the ability to be right there. Definitely a lot of positive things to build on for next year."

Grand Valley State, Wayne State, Ferris State, and Saginaw Valley State advanced to the match play section of the tournament. Throughout the weekend, NMU played par 5s at -8, ranking second only to Grand Valley State and recorded 19 birdies.

Arthur Ylitalo achieved an even round of 71 with three birdies and a -2 on the front nine, resulting in a weekend total of +8 and finishing T23. Walter Ylitalo followed with a round two score of +3 74 with two birdies, ending with a weekend total of +10 to finish T25 individually.

Russel Sprecher scored +4 75 with one birdie for a weekend total of +6 and finished T17. Eric Yun and Tyler Annala each scored rounds of +6 77; Annala included three birdies in his performance.

Over the course of the event, Sprecher, Annala, and both Ylitalos played par 5s at -2 individually—the fourth-best among competitors. Sprecher made 27 pars over two rounds while Arthur Ylitalo had six birdies—two short from leading at eight.