MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University (NMU) men’s and women’s golf teams are heading into a winter hiatus after concluding their fall seasons this weekend at the Panther Invitational in Augusta, Michigan.

This event, taking place on Saturday and Sunday at Stoatin Brae Country Club, serves as the GLIAC Preview tournament, featuring most teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and several other Midwest institutions.

Men’s Tournament Overview

The men’s competition will see highly competitive teams, with Ohio Dominican University, currently ranked No. 56 nationally and No. 7 in the Midwest Region, leading the charge. Other participating teams include:

• No. 102 Lewis (No. 17 in the Midwest)
• No. 105 Wisconsin-Parkside (No. 18)
• No. 109 Davenport (No. 19)
• No. 134 Kentucky Wesleyan (No. 23)
• No. 144 Purdue Northwest (No. 25)

Women’s Tournament Overview

For the women, the tournament is equally competitive, featuring the top-ranked Davenport team at No. 75 nationally and No. 10 regionally. Other notable teams include:

• No. 90 Saginaw Valley State (No. 14 in the Midwest)
• No. 104 Ohio Dominican (No. 17)
• No. 115 Northwood (No. 20)
• No. 125 Purdue NW (No. 24)
• No. 130 Lewis (No. 26)
• No. 139 West Chester (No. 27)
• No. 157 Parkside (No. 36)

Course and Weather Conditions

Stoatin Brae Country Club is unique among championship courses in the Lower Peninsula, situated at one of Kalamazoo County’s highest elevations. The course features expansive views and is characterized as wide-open, windswept, and fast, measuring 6,742 yards with a par of 71.

The weather forecast predicts pleasant conditions with temperatures in the 70s, light winds, and clear skies, ideal for golf.

Recent Team Performances

Men’s Recent Performance

Earlier this week, senior Tyler Annala from Westwood High School narrowly missed clinching the individual title at the Flyer Fall Intercollegiate in Lemont, Illinois, finishing as runner-up after struggling initially but recovering to birdie four consecutive holes.

Other notable performances included:

• Levi Pennala: tied for 44th, scoring 26-over
• Brady Badker: tied for 46th, scoring 27-over
• Arthur Ylitalo: tied for 48th, scoring 28-over

Northern Michigan ranked seventh out of 12 teams at last year’s Panther Invite.

Women’s Recent Performance

The Wildcat women also competed in the Flyer Fall Intercollegiate, finishing eighth among nine teams with a cumulative score of 143-over-par. Maddy Martens led the team, securing 17th place and showcasing her skill with five birdies throughout the tournament.

Highlights from individual performances include:

• Payton Donnelly: tied for 23rd, scoring 31-over
• Abbie Pietila: tied for 27th, scoring 35-over

NMU’s women finished tenth out of 13 teams in last year’s Panther Invite.