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Golfer Bryce Emory pencils 69 to close final day of MAC Championships, Bauman makes top 20

May 5, 2013
Bryce Emory

Bryce Emory

Senior Bryce Emory (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) of the Northern Illinois men’s golf team climbed into a tie for 14th with a final round 69 on Sunday in the Mid-American Conference Championship at Longaberger Golf Club.

Emory was one of two Huskies, along with redshirt senior Griffin Bauman (Crystal Lake, Ill./Central), to finish the tournament in the top 20.

“Bryce Emory was really the show today,” said NIU head coach Tom Porten. “He bounced back from yesterday’s tough start with a birdie on the first hole of the day and never looked back. He played fantastically to move into the top 15.”

Bauman carded a final round 79 to finish in a tie for 19th. As a team, NIU closed with a final round 313 to finish ninth.

Kent State won the MAC Championship for the fifth consecutive year, finishing with a 72-hole total of 1168, 21 strokes better than second-place Toledo. Taylor Pendrith of Kent State posted a final round 73 to win medalist honors by eight strokes.

Griffin Bauman

Griffin Bauman

Emory set the tone for his round right away, recording a birdie on the opening hole. The Huskie senior made the turn in two-under after not recording a single bogey in the opening nine. After giving back a stroke on both 13 and 14, Emory bounced back with birdies on 15 and 16 to finish his round with five birdies. Emory led the field with 16 total birdies in the 72-hole tournament.

Emory climbed 13 places up the leaderboard after beginning the day tied for 27th. Bauman’s 79 gave him four round total of 305, two behind Emory and good for a tie for 19th.

“Griffin had a mixed bag,” Porten said. “He didn’t hit his driver as well and he got in trouble on a couple of holes, but he had a top-20 which is a good way to end his career.”

Senior Kurtis Luedtke (Aurora, Ill./West) closed with a final round 82 and tied for 33rd overall. Senior Paul Hammerschmidt (Westerville, Ohio/Central) posted a final round 84 and finished 43rd while junior Shawn Foley (Pewaukee, Wis./Waukesha North) finished with his best round of the tournament, 83, and claimed 44th.

“It was a disappointing team performance, but we thanked our seniors for their service and their effort,” Porten said. “They are all going to graduate, some of them with honors, and we wish them all the best in their futures.”

For more information on NIU men’s golf and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.