Photo by: Jack Eads, Ball State Athletics
Young Golfers Open Against Star-Studded Field in Michigan
August 31, 2025 | Men's Golf
HARRIS, Mich. -- Against a field comprised of annual NCAA regional competitors, Ball State's men's golf team shaved four strokes off their first-round score but couldn't keep pace with a fast field on the first day of the Island Resort Intercollegiate at Sage Run Golf Course in Northern Michigan.
The Cardinals were led by freshmen Luke Johnston (69-75--144) and Samuel Harris (70-74--144), and a late surge by senior Carter Smith (77-68--145). Harris shot 2-under and 2-over to finish even for the day. Johnston shot 3-under for the club's best score in the opening round, and senior Carter Smith (77-68--145) rallied with a 4-under score in Round 2 - using four birdies on the back nine to rebound from an uncharacteristic +5 outing in the first round. Sophomore returner Happy Gilmore (75-70--145) finished tied with Smith overall, firing two shots under par in Round 2 to counter a slow first round, himself.Â
"There were lots of low, low scores today!," exclaimed Ball State coach Mike Fleck. "And Carter had a great rebound round to finish the day."
Junior transfer Cameron Young (75-73--148) celebrated his birthday while making his Cardinals debut and shooting +3 and +1 over both rounds. Sophomore Gavin Hare (73-71--144), playing as an individual in the season's opening tournament, birdied two of his last three holes to finish both rounds even on the par-72, 7,375-yard layout and match the scores by Johnston and Harris.
Overall, the Cardinals (574) finished three strokes behind Mid-American Conference rival Miami (571), and couldn't master the blazing fast track with the success of West Virginia (536), Purdue (541), St. Mary's (551) and Michigan (555) who all shot at least 20-under-par as a team. Nine of the 12 teams fired 36-hole scores of -10 or better. The Cardinals finished the day at 2-under par, in 12th place - five strokes behind the Redbirds of Illinois State (569) and three behind the Redhawks from Miami.
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The Cardinals were led by freshmen Luke Johnston (69-75--144) and Samuel Harris (70-74--144), and a late surge by senior Carter Smith (77-68--145). Harris shot 2-under and 2-over to finish even for the day. Johnston shot 3-under for the club's best score in the opening round, and senior Carter Smith (77-68--145) rallied with a 4-under score in Round 2 - using four birdies on the back nine to rebound from an uncharacteristic +5 outing in the first round. Sophomore returner Happy Gilmore (75-70--145) finished tied with Smith overall, firing two shots under par in Round 2 to counter a slow first round, himself.Â
"There were lots of low, low scores today!," exclaimed Ball State coach Mike Fleck. "And Carter had a great rebound round to finish the day."
Junior transfer Cameron Young (75-73--148) celebrated his birthday while making his Cardinals debut and shooting +3 and +1 over both rounds. Sophomore Gavin Hare (73-71--144), playing as an individual in the season's opening tournament, birdied two of his last three holes to finish both rounds even on the par-72, 7,375-yard layout and match the scores by Johnston and Harris.
Overall, the Cardinals (574) finished three strokes behind Mid-American Conference rival Miami (571), and couldn't master the blazing fast track with the success of West Virginia (536), Purdue (541), St. Mary's (551) and Michigan (555) who all shot at least 20-under-par as a team. Nine of the 12 teams fired 36-hole scores of -10 or better. The Cardinals finished the day at 2-under par, in 12th place - five strokes behind the Redbirds of Illinois State (569) and three behind the Redhawks from Miami.
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