Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Michael Hickey
Cardinals Continue Momentum and Move Atop MAC Championship Standings
April 27, 2024 | Men's Golf
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Ball State shot 7-under-par on Saturday afternoon and moved past Miami to take a 36-hole lead in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Men's Golf Championships. The Cardinals shot 5-under on the front nine and 2-under on the back nine, with its top four scorers all firing under-par rounds to catapult Ball State into the lead.
Junior Kash Bellar (139) sits in a fourth-place tie with Kent State's Jordan Gilikison (139), six strokes behind tournament leader and defending champion Barend Botha (133) of Toledo. Michael Weber (137) and Danny Fisher (137) of Miami both are tied in second place, with the Redhawks (566) three strokes behind the front-running Cardinals (563) in team standings. Toledo (571) is third, ahead of 2023 champ Northern Illinois (575).
The MAC's Redbird Rivalry between Ball State and Miami began Friday with the clubs tied for the lead after round one. Saturday, the teams jostled for the lead, with the RedHawks leading by three strokes at one point, and the Cardinals assuming a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday.
Like on Friday when the Cardinals were strong on the back nine, Ali Khan (140) and Alec Cesare (144) both fired eagle on the par-5 13th hole to put the Cardinals in the lead. The RedHawks briefly moved ahead, but shot +5 over the final three holes while Ball State remained even to assume command. Bellar birdied the 13th and 14th holes, then shot par over the last four holes. Carter Smith (140) shot birdies on the 16th and 17th holes before a par on the 18th to finish at 2-under for the day and remain in a sixth-place tie with Khan.
"We had all five guys in the game," said 26th-year head coach Mike Fleck. "We were standing at the first tee and the wind was howling and it was raining, then all of a sudden there's a bunch of birdies thrown on the board and we kept pace. We managed the last four holes really well."
Ball State features Beller, Smith and Khan among the tournament's top seven golfers, with Cesare currently standing in 13th and Braxton Kuntz (146) in 19th at 2-over par.
Added Fleck, in search of his first MAC tournament title, and Ball State's first since 1986: "We had all five guys in the mix until the end, which is all you can ask for. We're leading by three shots after two rounds. We've played really solid team golf the first two rounds. This is why we play, we embrace the opportunity and we look forward to playing tomorrow."
The final round is conducted Sunday, with play beginning at 9 a.m.
Ball State Individual Results, through Second Round
No. 2 Kash Bellar (139): 36-34—70 | 34-35—69 (-5, 4th)
No. 1 Carter Smith (140): 36-34—70 | 34-36—70 (-4, 6th)
No. 3 Ali Khan (140): 37-33—70 | 35-35—70 (-4, 6th)
No. 5 Alec Cesare (144): 37-36—73 | 36-35—71 (E, 13th)
No. 4 Braxton Kuntz (146): 37-36—73 | 34-39—73 (+2, 19th)
Follow the Cardinals
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Junior Kash Bellar (139) sits in a fourth-place tie with Kent State's Jordan Gilikison (139), six strokes behind tournament leader and defending champion Barend Botha (133) of Toledo. Michael Weber (137) and Danny Fisher (137) of Miami both are tied in second place, with the Redhawks (566) three strokes behind the front-running Cardinals (563) in team standings. Toledo (571) is third, ahead of 2023 champ Northern Illinois (575).
The MAC's Redbird Rivalry between Ball State and Miami began Friday with the clubs tied for the lead after round one. Saturday, the teams jostled for the lead, with the RedHawks leading by three strokes at one point, and the Cardinals assuming a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday.
Like on Friday when the Cardinals were strong on the back nine, Ali Khan (140) and Alec Cesare (144) both fired eagle on the par-5 13th hole to put the Cardinals in the lead. The RedHawks briefly moved ahead, but shot +5 over the final three holes while Ball State remained even to assume command. Bellar birdied the 13th and 14th holes, then shot par over the last four holes. Carter Smith (140) shot birdies on the 16th and 17th holes before a par on the 18th to finish at 2-under for the day and remain in a sixth-place tie with Khan.
"We had all five guys in the game," said 26th-year head coach Mike Fleck. "We were standing at the first tee and the wind was howling and it was raining, then all of a sudden there's a bunch of birdies thrown on the board and we kept pace. We managed the last four holes really well."
Ball State features Beller, Smith and Khan among the tournament's top seven golfers, with Cesare currently standing in 13th and Braxton Kuntz (146) in 19th at 2-over par.
Added Fleck, in search of his first MAC tournament title, and Ball State's first since 1986: "We had all five guys in the mix until the end, which is all you can ask for. We're leading by three shots after two rounds. We've played really solid team golf the first two rounds. This is why we play, we embrace the opportunity and we look forward to playing tomorrow."
The final round is conducted Sunday, with play beginning at 9 a.m.
Ball State Individual Results, through Second Round
No. 2 Kash Bellar (139): 36-34—70 | 34-35—69 (-5, 4th)
No. 1 Carter Smith (140): 36-34—70 | 34-36—70 (-4, 6th)
No. 3 Ali Khan (140): 37-33—70 | 35-35—70 (-4, 6th)
No. 5 Alec Cesare (144): 37-36—73 | 36-35—71 (E, 13th)
No. 4 Braxton Kuntz (146): 37-36—73 | 34-39—73 (+2, 19th)
Follow the Cardinals
Players Mentioned
Heart of the Cardinal Podcast // Guests: Mike Fleck and Alauna Simms
Monday, December 15
Heart of the Cardinal Podcast // Mike Fleck on Program Approach
Saturday, December 13
Sports Link: International Student Athlete Day
Monday, November 17
Homecoming // Cardinal Sinners! Presented by Gameday Spirit
Friday, October 17