The Northern Illinois men’s golf team posted a seven-over-par (295) to conclude the first round of the Boilermaker Invitational in ninth place at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex on Saturday afternoon.
In the 12-team field, the Huskies outpaced Mid-American Conference foes Eastern Michigan (301) and Akron (302) at the 7,465-yard Kampen Course. The Huskies, who lead the tournament with 17 birdies as a team, stand a stroke behind Miami (Ohio) for eighth. Illinois holds the lead heading into Sunday with a nine-under 279.
Senior Matt Triplett led NIU, firing a season-best 71 (-1). Triplett’s 3.70 scoring average on par-fours tied for best in the field. He sits three strokes off the individual lead in seventh place. Paul Hammerschmidt sank five birdies on his way to tying for 21st. His first round 73 (+1) matched his best of the season, a mark he set in the third round of last weekend’s Hawkeye Invitational.
Placing third for the Huskies, Jeff Dick tallied a 74 (+2), good for a tie for 29th. Griffin Bauman is tied for 49th after turning in a 77 (+5). Greg Pohlmann shot an 80, eight over par, to tie for 64th.
Officials suspended Saturday’s second round due to heavy rain.
