Ball State University Athletics
Johnston & Men’s Golf Take Second at Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational
September 27, 2026 | Men's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Led by a -6 (204) from sophomore Luke Johnston, the Ball State men's golf team finished second among the 16-team field at the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational hosted by the Delaware Country Club.
Johnston closed the event with his second straight sub-par round Sunday, shooting -1 (69), to lead the Cardinals on the final day of action on the 6,624-yard course. The effort helped Johnston finish second overall, at six-under, led by a second-round effort of -6 (64) which tied his collegiate low.
As a team, the Cardinals shot +7 (287) over the final day of competition, also counting rounds of +1 (71) from junior Happy Gilmore, +3 (73) from senior Avery Mahoney and +4 (74) from senior Cameron Young.
Ball State finished the tournament at +4 (844), trailing only in-state rival Butler who won the event at -12 (828). Butler's Logan Sutto took home medalist honors, finishing one stroke ahead of Johnston at -7 (203).
Sunday's final round also freshman Brayden Lamborne lead the Cardinals' B squad with a collegiate-low round of +1 (71). The effort helped Lamborne climb 14 spots up the final leaderboard, Ball State's biggest upward mover of the day.
Over the course of the 54-hole event, Johnston led all players with a par 4 average of -7 (3.81), helping him earn the runner-up finish. He also ranked second among the field with 14 total birdies.
As a team, Ball State's A squad posted 53 total birdies in the tournament, to rank third among the field, while the B squad added 28 total birdies.
Select members of the Ball State men's golf team return to action Oct. 5-6 right back at the Delaware Country Club for the Golfweek Put Me In Coach Invitational. The team will be back in action Oct. 12-13 at the Kampen-Cosler Golf Course for the Purdue Fall Invitational.
Ball State Individual Results:
Team A
2 - Luke Johnston: 204 (71-64-69; -6)
T12 - Cameron Young: 212 (71-67-74; +2)
T21 - Happy Gilmore: 214 (71-72-71; +4)
T21 - Avery Mahoney: 214 (70-71-73; +4)
T67 - Mattingly Upchurch: 223 (72-73-78; +13)
Team B
T29 - Brody Sorrell: 215 (76-67-72; +5)
T34 - Aidan Gutierrez: 216 (76-64-76; +6)
T56 - Cameron Chattin: 221 (76-68-77; +11)
T71 - Brayden Lamborne: 224 (74-79-71; +14)
Ball State Team Scores
2 - Ball State A: 844 (283-274-287; +4)
T13 - Ball State B: 876 (302-278-296; +36)
