Great Lakes Wire

The Northern Michigan University men's golf team completed its first tournament of the season at the Bulldog Fall Classic in Big Rapids, Michigan, finishing 17th out of 19 teams. The event was held at Katke Golf Course and required players to complete nearly two full rounds over a 12-hour day, with remaining holes finished the next morning before the final round.

NMU recorded a combined team score of +92 across three rounds, posting scores of +35, +29, and +28 in each round and showing improvement as play progressed. Teams finishing just ahead included Lewis (+84), Purdue Northwest (+80), and Northwood 'B' (+79). Rockhurst University secured the win with a total score of +12, leading second place Gannon and other competitors by at least 15 strokes.

The Wildcats averaged 3.40 on par threes, 4.54 on par fours, and 5.42 on par fives during the tournament. The team tallied eight birdies and 153 pars overall.

Arthur Ylitalo led NMU individually with a three-round total of +14 to finish tied for 41st among 106 golfers. "Arthur started his third round off hot, shooting -1 in his opening seven holes before a spell of +6 in his final 11 holes to finish round three at +5. Arthur finished with 34 pars on the tournament, three shy of the leader with 37. Art also led the Wildcats in total birdies with four, par five scoring, totaling -1 on the week, and recorded the fewest bogeys and double-bogeys on the team."

Jacob Daavettila followed as NMU's second-best performer with a score of +24 to tie for 79th place. "Daavettila had a birdie on the par four 10th hole today, one of his two for the tournament, and led the 'Cats in par three scoring on the week, averaging 3.27 per hole."

Tyler Annala posted consistent rounds of +8, +8, and +10 for a total score of +26.

Competing as an individual was Harvey Ylitalo who finished in sole possession of 93rd place with a score of +30.

Brady Badker improved each round from +14 to +12 to finish with a final round score of +6 for an overall total of +32. "Badker had a hot start to the third round, shooting -1 on hoels 13 through 18 before rounding to the front nine. A 42 on the front was followed by a trio of pars on his final three holes, giving him a -1 35 on the back."

Levi Pennala matched Badker’s overall performance with identical scores across all three rounds.

The Wildcats will return to competition in two weeks at TPC Michigan during Wayne State’s Motor City Shakedown event.