The men’s golf team closed out its season with a last-place finish at the MAC Championships.

The Huskies struggled with consistency, even though they finished with two players in the top 20.

“We struggled as a team, as we have for most of the spring,” said head coach Tom Porten. “We haven’t been able to get all five of our players playing the best at the same time.”

Despite the team’s struggles, NIU had strong play from seniors Bryce Emory and Griffin Bauman. Emory and Bauman once again carried the team, as both of them finished play in the top 20.

Emory golfed a three under par 69 on the final day of golf, moving him up 13 places to finish play tied for 14th out of 44. Emory’s final round of play resembled his play when he won the Jim West Intercollegiate in April. Every aspect of Emory’s game was on in the final day of play.

“He did everything well,” Porten said. “He hit 12 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens. His ball-striking was excellent and he managed his game really well for the entire round. He only made one mistake, and he rebounded on the next hole.”

Also doing his best to carry the team was Bauman. The senior finished his final tournament tied for 19th out of 44 after having four strong and consistent rounds of play. Bauman and Emory were the only two Huskies to not have a round score more than 80 in the tournament.

“Griffin has had a very strong senior season,” Porten said. “The two of them were really the keys to us having any chance of being competitive this spring. They carried the load.”

Even with the performances of Bauman and Emory, the Huskies were unable to move out of last place in the tournament. Senior Kurtis Luedtke was the next-best golfer for the Huskies this weekend, finishing tied for 33rd. Luedtke had a couple of nice rounds, including a two over par 74 in the third round. Luedtke struggled in the second and fourth rounds, shooting an 81 and an 82, respectively.

Rounding out the team was senior Paul Hammerschmidt and junior Shawn Foley. Hammerschmidt had his first tournament action since February. Hammerschmidt’s 50 over par had him landing in 43rd place, which was second to last. The golfer who finished last was fellow teammate Foley. Foley’s overall 59 over par had him finish last, and he was the only Huskie to not have a round score in the 70’s.