DeKALB - The NIU men's golf team tees off its 2016-17 season in Zionsville, Ind., at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate, hosted by Indiana, September 10th and 11th. The two-day tournament will be played at the Wolf Run Golf Club in Zionsville, Ind. This will be Huskies first appearance at the Wolf Run Intercollegiate since Sept. 20-21, 2014.
NIU finished the 2015-16 season strong with three top-five finishes in their last five tournaments, including a fourth-place showing at the Mid-American Conference Championship. The Huskies averaged 301.5 strokes per round as a team in 12 tournaments and posted a school-record low 275 in the Desert Shootout.
Six golfers return including senior standout star
Joo-Young Lee (Hillard, Ohio/Xavier) and recent U.S. Amateur qualifier
Pierrick Fillon (Voreppe, France/Lycee Pierre Beghin). Other returnees include seniors
Charlie Cameron (Canberra, Australia/Tyler J.C.),
Raphael Denais, junior
Patrick Murphy (River Forest, Ill./Oak Park-River Forest), and sophomore
Salvador Rocha (Mexico City, Mexico/American School foundation).
New additions to the roster are freshmen
Jordan Less (Elmhurst, Ill./York),
Russell Matos (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard South),
Michael Mattas (Streamwood, Ill./St. Edward Central Catholic) and sophomore transfer
Paul Schlimm. Director of Golf
Tom Porten and
Andrew Frame return to coach the Huskies for their ninth and sixth years, respectively.
Lee will lead the Huskies in 2016-2017 after a breakout season in 2015-16. He competed in 12 tournaments and averaged 73.72 strokes per round including a low round of 65, setting a new program record.
The Hillard, Ohio native tied for runner-up at the MAC Championship, his third top-five finish and fourth top-10 honor of the season. His stellar play throughout the season earned him First Team All-MAC honors and GCAA All-Midwest Region accolades while his championship performance placed his name on the MAC's All-Tournament list.
Dr. Jack Leer, who envisioned an entertaining and challenging course for serious golfers, conceptualized Wolf Run Golf Club in the early 1980's. He partnered with golf course architect Steve Smyers to build the course, which was completed in 1989. Golf Digest has consistently ranked Wolf Run as a top-100 course and has also listed Wolf Run as one of the top-25 most challenging courses in the United States.
Wolf Run features thick rough, large bunkers, dense tree lines and several water hazards that make this 7,155-yard par 71 one of the best in the country.
The Huskies will return to action Sept. 25 and 26 when it heads to North Shore Country Club for The Windon in Glenview, Ill., hosted by Northwestern.
