Ball State University
Mid-American Conference Championship
Big Comeback Results in Ball State's First Top-2 Finish in Three Straight Years Since 1978-79-80
April 29, 2025 | Men's Golf
Put in perspective, the Eagles began the day at -15 after 36 holes, in first place and a full 16 strokes ahead of the Cardinals who were +1 after two days.
On a windy, weather-delayed day in which seven of nine teams shot at least 12-over par, the Cardinals erased the Eagles' margin to finish behind champion Kent State, who began the day in second place at -12. The Cardinals and Flashes were the only programs to successfully navigate nasty conditions on Tuesday, with Kent State finishing just three strokes better than Ball State in the final round. Four schools endured 18-hole scores of at least 20-over par (EMU was +23) as the Cardinals moved up two spots in the standings Tuesday, after rising one spot Monday.
For Ball State, late-round tumbles on each of the first two days kept the Cardinals from cutting into Kent State's championship margin. The Cardinals finished as the MAC runner-up for the second time in three years, sandwiched around a 2024 title of their own. A resurgent Kash Bellar finished eighth overall to lead the Ball State lineup, registering a top-ten result for the third straight year, after fourth-place finishes in 2023 and 2024.
"I can't say enough about our guys fighting today in some really tough conditions," said 27th year coach Mike Fleck, whose team claimed back-to-back-to-back top-two finishes in the MAC for the first time in his tenure. "I know it's not the final outcome we were looking for, but I'm so damn proud of this squad. We battled a lot of ups and downs this year and nothing came easy, but these guys stayed the course and emptied their tanks for me this week."
Bellar (76-67-72--217) completed a stellar personal comeback during rounds two and three of the tournament. At one point in second place through 12 holes on Day 1 of the event, Bellar absorbed a rocky finish on the first day which saw him card a 6-over par 78. But he was one of a small handful of golfers to shoot at least 5-under in the second round, and he was one of just seven in the final round to fire par or better. He raced up the leaderboard over the last two rounds to finish in eighth, two strokes ahead of teammate Carter Smith (73-70-76--219).Counting only the tournament's final two days, Bellar's 5-under scorecard was tied as the second-best golfer in the field -- compared to MAC champion Jordan Gilkison (-7 during that stretch) and his Kent State teammate Bryce Reed (also -5).
Braxton Kuntz (76-75-71--222) saved his best performance for the final round, shooting 1-under par 71 on Tuesday to lead the Cardinals. Steady Ali Khan (74-74-74--222) finished at +2 on Tuesday, just a few miles from his hometown of Columbus, and was honored following the event as the MAC's Earl Yestingsmeier Sportsman of the Year, honoring the golfer who best exemplifies sportsmanship and good character during the MAC championship tournament. Avery Mahoney (70-73-82--225) completed the Cardinals' lineup after sitting in the top ten over the first 36 holes.
On a day which saw over half the field of 46 shoot +4 or higher, and third-place Eastern Michigan swing from -12 Monday to +23 on Tuesday, only 12 golfers shot +2 or better -- four of them from were from Ball State. While Kuntz finished at -1 and Bellar was even, Smith and Khan both finished at +2 for the day. Fittingly, Ball State's final round at +5 was bettered only by Kent State's +2.
Veteran Ball State coach Mike Fleck enjoyed a bittersweet ending for Ball State, watching a senior class -- particularly Bellar, Khan and Kuntz -- close their college careers. All three were a part of last year's MAC champion and NCAA regional team. Bellar and Khan were a part top-two MAC finishes the past three years. All three will find themselves with career stroke averages among the best in program history.
"I really don't know where to start with these seniors," added the heartfelt, appreciative and sentimental coach. "Braxton, Ali and Kash are leaving a legacy! MAC Champions, three years inside the top two spots in the league standings, rewriting our individual record book. I'm not sure any words can truly express what they've meant to Ball State golf and how they have impacted me, personally and professionally. The icing on the cake was for Ali to earn the EY Sportsmanship Award as voted on by the league players. Man, that makes me proud that these guys are winners while doing things the right way. I can't wait to see what's next for all of our seniors!"
Khan became the sixth Ball State golfer to earn the Yestingsmeier Sportsman award, named for the former Ball State coach and administrator who mentored Fleck and elevated the Cardinals' program. Previous Ball State recipients were Timothy Wiseman (2019), McCormick Clouser (2015), Jamie Broce (1999), Darrett Brinker (1993) and Kirk Schooley (1983).
Players Mentioned
