SILVIS, ILL. - Despite playing a very tough course at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., the Spartan Men's Golf team managed a seventh-place finish among 18 teams at the NAIA Midwest Invitational. Mount Mercy University won the tournament with a team score of 593, which was +25 for the par-71 course. The Spartans carded a 628, good for +60 over the two-day event.
 
Individually the Spartans were led once again by graduate student Drew Wielgus, who was within striking distance of the lead after playing the first 18 holes on Monday at +4. That score had him sitting in a tie for seventh place. However, day two was a little more difficult as he carded a +8 on the day, leaving him at +12 on the tournament and in a tie for 18^th place.
 
Senior Tristan Buckley made the biggest move from Monday to Tuesday of any of the 90 golfers in the field. After going out with a disappointing 86 on Monday, the native of Williamsburg, Va. improved by 11 strokes on day two to finish at +19 for the tournament. Buckley moved from a tie for 62^nd place to a tie for 35^th. No other golfer in the field improved by more than his 27 spots.
 
The other three golfers who were entered for MBU finished within three strokes of each other. Senior Jannik Daeschner hit a +17 good for 28^th place, freshman Josemaria Gutierrez was +18 and in 31^st, and senior Alexander Engelhardt was +20 which was good for 37^th place.
 
TPC Deere Run annually hosts the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic.
 
The men's golf team will be back in action on October 3^rd when they open play in the two-day Cougar Classic, hosted by Columbia College at Columbia Country Club in Columbia, Mo.