Ball State men's golf claimed a tournament champion in the Adidas Hoosier Invitational this weekend when freshman Tyler Merkel won by a single stroke.
Merkel shot an overall 209 to win the tournament. Indiana's David Erdy and Cleveland State's Kent Monas finished tied for second with 210.
As a team, the Cardinals finished 7th after the 54-hole tournament.
"It was not the longest course," Merkel said. "Hitting the fairways and getting the ball in good positions were what really helped me out this weekend."
Coach Mike Fleck was excited about Merkel's game play but not impressed with the rest of the team's performance.
"I'm pretty disappointed in the team performance aside from Merkel playing extremely well," he said. "This is the second tournament in a row without any team support."
Eric Steger finished the tournament tied for 27th with a 221, Joe Gasser tied for 29th (222), Tony Lazzara scored a 226 and Alex Stinson finished with a 227. The Cardinals had two extra players that competed as individuals. Brodie Williams tied for 24th with an overall score of 220 and Zac Treash tied for 43rd with a 225.
Up next for the Cardinals is a home meet at The Delaware Country Club in Muncie, known as the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational.
"We have been putting in great scores in practice," Fleck said. "We feel comfortable, but we still need to show up and play."
The tournament starts Saturday.
Read More
Ball State tops Texas A&M in second game of Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament
By Logan Connor / 14 hours ago“It's the reason you come to play in tournaments like this, to play really good basketball teams,” head coach Brady Salle said after his team's Battle 4 Atlantis win
Indiana Pacers defeat the Washington Wizards at home
By Derran Cobb / 17 hours agoIn the Pacers first of four straight home games, the Blue and Gold would defeat the Wizards 115-103. Pascal Siakam led the way with 22 points.
Cardinals fall to Western Michigan in MAC Championship Final
By Daniel Kehn / 20 hours agoBall State ended the 2024 season with a loss to Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference Championship Final.
