Normal, Ill. - The Thunder men's golf team finally returned to the links yesterday following a six-month layoff after the fall season, and Wheaton kicked off its spring slate by taking part in the Illinois Wesleyan University Spring Invitational. This weekend's mammoth event featured 228 players and 38 teams, making it the largest collegiate golf tournament field across all NCAA divisions this year. After all the scores had been tallied up from the two courses and two days of play on Friday and Saturday, Wheaton tied for 22nd place in the 38-squad standings, finishing with the same stroke total as fellow Thunder program Trine University and just two shots behind CCIW neighbors North Central.
Wyatt Brown and
Sam Obitts had the top rounds for Wheaton in the first event of 2025, as both golfers shot a combined total of 151 (+8) this weekend to finish just outside the top 50 on the individual leaderboard. Both players lowered their first-round marks this morning, as Brown went from a +4 (76) at Ironwood on Friday to a +4 (75) at Weibring on Saturday and Obitts followed up his first-day 77 (+5) with a 74 (+3) today.
Freddie Chan registered a round score of 76 yesterday and 77 today to card a combined 153 (+10) as the Thunder's next- highest-placed competitor.
Jonah Swartz stayed consistent with a 79 at both courses across Friday and Saturday's action for a weekend tally of 158 (+15).
Baylor Brogan entered the clubhouse this afternoon a single stroke behind his teammate Swartz after registering an 81 on Friday before dropping that mark by three shots today.
Aidan Quinlivan's score at the invitational was not factored into Wheaton's team total for the tournament, but the sophomore still got to compete as an individual, and he carded an 86 in round one and a 79 on today's second 18 for a combined mark of 165 (+22).
Having started their Spring 2025 campaign, the Thunder will be back on the course next weekend as they travel to Michigan for another two-day competition, the Hope College Spring Invitational in Allendale on Friday and Saturday.
