Northern Michigan University women’s golfer Abbie Pietila hits from near a tree during a collegiate meet held earlier this year. (Photo courtesy NMU)
MARQUETTE — The men’s and women’s golf teams at Northern Michigan University go into hibernation after this weekend, finishing off their fall seasons at the Panther Invitational in downstate Augusta, before resuming play next spring, or probably more accurately, late winter.
This Saturday and Sunday tournament at Stoatin Brae Country Club is also called the GLIAC Preview tournament as just about all members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will be in attendance, also with another handful of Midwest schools.
On the men’s side, the highest ranked team should be national No. 56 Ohio Dominican, a former GLIAC member, which is also ranked No. 7 in the Midwest Region. Also there will be No. 102 Lewis, also No. 17 in the region; No. 105 Wisconsin-Parkside, No. 18 regionally; No. 109 Davenport, No. 19 in region; No. 134 Kentucky Wesleyan, No. 23 in region; and No. 144 Purdue Northwest, No. 25 in region.
In the women’s tournament, the top-ranked team is No. 75 Davenport, ranked No. 10 in the Midwest, which will be joined by No. 90 Saginaw Valley State, No. 14 in region; No. 104 Ohio Dominican, No. 17 in region; No. 115 Northwood, No. 20 in region; No. 125 Purdue NW, No. 24 in region; No. 130 Lewis, No. 26 in region; No. 139 West Chester, No. 27 in region; and No. 157 Parkside, No. 36 in region.
Stoatin Brae is unlike other championship courses in the Lower Peninsula as it sits at one of the highest points in Kalamazoo County and has sweeping panoramic views of its surroundings. Playing wide open, windswept and fast and firm, it is 6,742 yards and par-71.
The weather forecast calls for 70-degree days with light winds and clear skies.
Fans can follow the teams at Nmu_Wildcat_Golf on Instagram, NMU_WildcatGolf on X and under Northern Michigan University Wildcats on Facebook.
Here is some info about each meet:
Men’s meet
Earlier this week, Northern senior and Westwood High School graduate Tyler Annala just missed winning the individual title at the Flyer Fall Intercollegiate in Lemont, Illinois, losing out on the second playoff hole to finish as runner-up after 54 holes of play.
He entered the third and final round at 2-over-par and started that round slowly at 7-over through nine holes. Then he caught fire, birdieing four straight holes — Nos. 15, 16, 17 and 18 — to get back into a share of the lead. With other remaining holes being pars, he had a back-to-back bogey-birdie to move into a three-way playoff.
His 10 birdies in the three rounds were fourth and score of 221 10th in NMU men’s program history as the Wildcats finished eight out of 15 teams.
Northern’s Levi Pennala tied for 44th at 26-over, Brady Badker tied for 46th at 27-over and Arthur Ylitalo tied for 48th at 28-over, with Ylitalo going 6-over in the final round with a pair of birdies. Teammate Harvey Ylitalo tied for 57th at 32-over.
Last year at the Panther Invite, Northern was seventh of 12 teams, improving on the second day with Badker shooting 76-75 for 7-over 151 and 24th place, and Arthur Ylitalo 77-75 for 8-over 152 and 27th.
Women’s meet
The Wildcat women were also at the Flyer Fall Intercollegiate earlier this week, finishing eighth of nine teams at 143-over-par.
Maddy Martens paced NMU in 17th place at 27-over, tying for fourth on her par-5s with exactly a 5.00 scoring average on those holes. And her five birdies tied her for eighth in the field, while her 27 pars tied for 12th.
Teammate Payton Donnelly matched Martens in their final round and finished tied for 23rd overall at 31-over with four birdies.
Abbie Pietila tied for 27th at 35-over with a birdie, while Aavra Relich tied for 41st at 50-over.
Last year, Northern was 10th of 13 teams at the Panther Invite, Martens leading the way in 28th place at 15-over.
Hailey Bolander tied for 47th at 24-over, while Pietila was 49th at 25-over.
Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release previewing the meet. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.
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