Ball State University Athletics

Photo by: Bobby Ellis/Ball State University
Men's Golfers Take Aim at Top-Ranked Event in Nashville This Weekend
April 02, 2026 | Men's Golf
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Ball State men's golfers take part in the Mason Rudolph Championship this weekend at Vanderbilt Legends Club, where 14 top Division I teams will vie for a tournament title. Among the cast of high-caliber participants are five top 20 teams, and nine in the top 100.
Leading the rankings around the par-71, 7,100-yard track this weekend are top-ranked Auburn, host and No. 11-ranked Vanderbilt, No. 12 Tennessee and No. 13 Mississippi. UNC Charlotte ranks 19th entering the tournament, followed by top 100 challengers Kentucky (48), NC State (58), Mississippi State (71) and Princeton (89). The Cardinals slot among the back half of the field that includes Furman, Middle Tennessee State, Northern Illinois and Western Kentucky.
Leading this week's Ball State lineup are freshmen Luke Johnston and Samuel Harris who continue to lead the Cardinals this season with stroke averages of 70.76 and 72.76, respectively. No. 3 in the lineup this week is junior Avery Mahoney, No. 4 is sophomore Happy Gilmore and No. 5 is junior transfer Cameron Young. Gilmore was the Cardinals' top finisher, earlier this week, at the Don Benbow Invitational in Indianapolis.
Tournament play begins at 9 a.m., Friday, beginning 54 holes of championship-level play with 18 holes each day. ESPN+ will carry action on the 18th hole during Sunday's action, beginning at 4 p.m.
Leading the rankings around the par-71, 7,100-yard track this weekend are top-ranked Auburn, host and No. 11-ranked Vanderbilt, No. 12 Tennessee and No. 13 Mississippi. UNC Charlotte ranks 19th entering the tournament, followed by top 100 challengers Kentucky (48), NC State (58), Mississippi State (71) and Princeton (89). The Cardinals slot among the back half of the field that includes Furman, Middle Tennessee State, Northern Illinois and Western Kentucky.
Leading this week's Ball State lineup are freshmen Luke Johnston and Samuel Harris who continue to lead the Cardinals this season with stroke averages of 70.76 and 72.76, respectively. No. 3 in the lineup this week is junior Avery Mahoney, No. 4 is sophomore Happy Gilmore and No. 5 is junior transfer Cameron Young. Gilmore was the Cardinals' top finisher, earlier this week, at the Don Benbow Invitational in Indianapolis.
Tournament play begins at 9 a.m., Friday, beginning 54 holes of championship-level play with 18 holes each day. ESPN+ will carry action on the 18th hole during Sunday's action, beginning at 4 p.m.
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