MEN'S GOLF: Cardinals place fourth in first tournament

Merkel opens season with tie for first finish

With Ball State men's golf having high expectations coming into the Northern Intercollegiate, the team came out with a fourth place finish out of 16 teams.

"We had a strong finish and a great field," coach Mike Fleck said, reflecting on the match.

The top player for Ball State was sophomore Tyler Merkel, who tied for first with a 212 (-1).

"It feels good to play well, and play well for the team as well," Merkel said. "I had a couple of bad holes, but all I needed to do was clear my mind and put them behind me."

Behind Merkel, junior Alex Stinson finished T17 with a 223 (+10). Senior T.J. Carpenter finished T32 with a 228 (+15). Junior Joe Gasser finished T56 with a 234 (+21). Rounding out team play, junior Brodie Williams finished T61 with a 235 (+22).

As an individual, freshman Zach Yinger from Sydney, Ohio struggled with a finish at T92 with a 251 (+38). Fleck still feels confident in Yinger and believes he has gained great experience.

"He got initiated on one of the hardest courses we have played," Fleck said. "It's good that he sees that along with the rest of the team because that is where the [Mid-American Conference] Championship tournament will be."

The Cardinals will begin their second tournament this fall season Sunday in Colorado Springs, Colo. at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational.


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