Johnston, Men's Golf Take Fourth at Dayton Flyer Invitational

KETTERING, Ohio - - The Ball State men's golf team closed the fall portion of its 2025-26 slate with a strong showing at the Dayton Flyer Invitational, leading all Mid-American Conference teams in the event and placing fourth overall at +21 (873).

In fact, the Cardinals turned in the lowest combined score over the final 36 holes of all 12 teams in the event, boasting a +8 (576). The next lowest team over the final 16 was tournament co-winner Butler at +11 (579), giving them a 54-hole total of +15 (867).

"While we combined to produce the best final 36-hole team score in the field, we just gave away too many shots to either poor decision making or execution throughout the tournament," head coach Mike Fleck said. "Luke had another really solid tournament, and it was good to see Avery play really well and tie for low round on a challenging day today where scoring was higher."

Illinois State tied the Bulldogs for the tournament title, while host Dayton finished third, one stoke ahead of the Cardinals at +20 (872).

In Tuesday's final round, it was junior Avery Mahoney who led the way for Ball State, turning in the team's second-lowest round on the 71-par, 7,004-yard course at the NCR Country Club South Course at -2 (69). The effort, which included three birdies, helped Mahoney make the biggest charge up the leaderboard on the final day as he climbed 27 spots into a tie for 18th at +6 (219).

Overall, freshman Luke Johnston was Ball State's top finisher in the Dayton Flyer Invitational, tying for fourth overall at -3 (210). It was his third top five finish through five collegiate events and was highlighted by Monday's second-round effort of -4 (67) which was the fourth-lowest overall round of the tournament.

Johnston was steady throughout the tournament, tallying one eagle, nine birdies and 34 total pars. He tied for second among the 82-player field with a par-5 average of 4.44 (-5), while tying for fifth in par-4 average at 4.03 (+1).

Junior Cameron Young closed the tournament with his best round, shooting +1 (72). The effort helped him climb 10 spots up the final leaderboard into a tie for 20th at +7 (220). Young's effort included eight total birdies and 33 total pars.

Rounding out the Ball State lineup were freshman Samuel Harris and senior Carter Smith in a tie for 51st at +15 (228). Harris shot even in his second round Monday, while Smith led all players with two eagles in the event, with today's coming on the par-5, 558-yard sixth.

In individual action, freshman Brody Sorrell led Ball State's quartet and tied for 38th overall at +12 (225). Sorrell tied for the team lead with nine total birdies. Sophomore Gavin Hare ended the tournament with an even-par 71, surging 13 spots up the leaderboard into 62nd at +17 (231).

Rounding out Ball State individuals were freshman Aidan Gutierrez and sophomore Happy Gilmore. Gutierrez's best round came in Monday's first round at +4 (75), while Gilmore led the tournament field in par-5 average at 4.33 (-6).

Overall, the Cardinals finished second among the tournament field in par-5 average at 4.76 (-11) and were tied for fourth in par-4 average at +15 (3.25). Ball State's players also tied for the tournament lead with three total eagles, ranked fourth in pars (163) and sixth in birdies (36).

"We had a productive and experience gaining fall, now we need to really go to work this offseason to be ready to play our best golf in the spring," Fleck added.

The Ball State men's golf team will now turn its attention to training for its spring slate which begins Feb. 9-10 at the Lake Jovita Invitational which will be held at on the Lake Jovita South Course in Dade City, Florida.

Ball State Team Results at Dayton Flyer Invitational
T4th - Luke Johnston: -3 (71-67-72=210)
T18th - Avery Mahoney: +6 (76-74-69=219)
T20th - Cameron Young: +7 (75-73-72=220)
T51st - Samuel Harris: +15 (75-71-82=228)
T51st - Carter Smith: +15 (76-74-78=228)
4th - Ball State: +21 (297-285-291=873)

Ball State Individual Results at Dayton Flyer Invitational
T38th - Brody Sorrell: +12 (75-73-77=225)
62nd - Gavin Hare: +17 (77-82-71=230)
65th - Aidan Gutierrez: +18 (75-80-76=231)
71st - Happy Gilmore: +23 (81-78-77=236)

Johnston, Men's Golf Take Fourth at Dayton Flyer Invitational

Players Mentioned

Happy Gilmore

Aidan Gutierrez

Gavin Hare

Samuel Harris

Luke Johnston

Avery Mahoney

Carter Smith

Brody Sorrell

Cameron Young

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