DeKALB – Fueled by three top-five finishes, NIU men’s golf triumphed at the Kishwaukee Collegiate on Saturday, claiming victory in a field of seven teams.
Despite gloomy, windy weather blanketing DeKalb, the Huskies dominated in their first home tournament since the fall 2021 season.
“We talk about NIU golf as a family, and I think you all saw what that family was really about today,” said NIU men’s golf head coach John Carlson. “Our guys stepped up big today.”
NIU maintained the lead throughout the day before Illinois State University evened the scorecard late in the second round, setting the stage for a two-team tournament down the stretch.
The two teams went back-and-forth until the final hole, when freshman Jack Mulligan was confronted with the most important putt of his golf career.
With pressure at an all-time high, Mulligan rose to the occasion.
“Jack Mulligan’s made that putt in practice in the last couple weeks, and that really prepared him for the moment today,” Carlson said. “He knew he had to make it, so a very, very special performance from him.”
Mulligan had a career day, logging a career-low 18-hole score of 65 to open the collegiate. Mulligan’s success in the first round was backed by 5 birdies and 1 eagle.
“It was super exciting having my whole team there those last couple of holes,” Mulligan said. “They (the NIU men’s golf team) were there to cheer me on, so I was just trying to stay focused on my game and take it one shot at a time and I was able to do that.”
Furthermore, Mulligan posted a score of 73 in the second round, accounting for a third place individual finish.
Aside from Mulligan, two other Huskies finished in the top-four – led by senior Felix Krammer.
Krammer carded a five-under par performance, enough to finish as the tournament’s runner-up.
“I just felt really comfortable out there today,” Krammer said. “We don’t really often get the opportunity to play in front of people we actually know. It’s always something special when you can play in front of your home crowd.”
Krammer was consistent throughout, opening the tournament with a score of 68 in the first round before improving to a score of 67 in the second round. Senior Ben Sluzas trailed closely behind the pair, finishing in fourth place. Sluzas was initially set back by a score of 71 in the first round before improving to a score of 68 in the second round.
“I’ve played this course a million times in my last four years,” Sluzas said. “It’s one thing to have a home field advantage like that, and I think we really took advantage.”
Sluzas’ second round performance was instrumental in NIU’s victory, as he notched four-straight birdies on the back nine.
Sophomore Craig Long was NIU’s fourth-best golfer, finishing in sixth place. Long shot a 72 in the first round before improving to a score of 69 in the second round.
Freshman Patrick Raupp rounded out the Huskies’ lineup, finishing tied for 18th place. Raupp kicked off the tournament with a score of 73 in the first round before falling back to a score of 78 in the second round.
INDIVIDUALS
Three Huskies competed in the tournament as an individual: freshman Conner McCall, senior Patrick Bruminhent and freshman Beau Petersen.
McCall and Bruminhent led the individuals, each finishing seven-over par and tying for tenth place. Petersen trailed closely behind, tying for 13th place individually.
UP NEXT
The Huskies now face the Hawkeye Invitational, hosted by the University of Iowa. The Hawkeye Invitational is a two-day event stretching from April 13 to April 14, taking place at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Iowa.
