Marquette University Athletics: A Golfer’s Journey to Success
Exciting Finish at the Bell Bank Collegiate
Litchfield Park, Arizona – The Marquette University men’s golf team showcased its prowess in the recent Bell Bank "Pay it Forward" Collegiate held at the picturesque Wigwam Golf Club’s Gold Course. Finishing an impressive second overall, the Golden Eagles were led by senior Max Lyons, who clinched the runner-up spot with a brilliant 8-under-par 208.
Max Lyons: Rising Star and Team Leader
Max Lyons delivered stellar performances throughout the tournament, shooting a solid 4-under 68 in the final round on Monday. This effort propelled him from sixth place to a commendable second, after starting strong with a 2-under 70 on Tuesday. The Phoenix native’s consistent play has resulted in back-to-back top-three finishes, including a third-place finish last week in The Johnnie-O at Sea Island’s Seaside Course.
Golden Eagles Shine in Early Rounds
Dominating the initial stages of the competition, the Marquette squad dazzled the field by posting an incredible 16-under 272 in their first round and an energetic 7-under 281 in the second. Their performance led them to a commanding 15-stroke lead heading into the final round. However, Iowa State made a significant push during Tuesday’s third round, outpacing Marquette with a 20-under 268, ultimately securing the win by just two strokes.
Key Contributions from Teammates
Sophomore Ryan Banas made his mark in the opening round, dazzling spectators with seven birdies, ensuring the Eagles took an early lead. With a solid 6-under 66, Johan Widal strategically placed himself just one stroke behind Banas, which set the stage for a thrilling conclusion entering Tuesday’s final 18 holes.
Not to be outdone, Mason Schmidtke, competing as an individual, fired MU’s best score of the final day, achieving a bogey-free 5-under 67.
Tournament Standings: A Closer Look
Here’s how the Golden Eagles fared in the tournament:
- Marquette Team Total: -25 (272-280-286–839)
- Individual Standings:
- Max Lyons: -8 (70-67-70–208)
- T7. Johan Widal: -7 (66-71-74–211)
- T7. Ryan Banas: -7 (65-72-74–211)
- T20. Vincent Cervantes: -1 (71-72-72–215)
- T20. Patrick Adler: -1 (75-70-70–215)
- T12. (Ind.) Mason Schmidtke: -4 (74-71-67–212)
What’s Next for the Golden Eagles?
The Marquette men’s golf team is hungry for more competition and will return to action at the Irish Creek Collegiate on April 7-8, hosted by Appalachian State University at The Club at Irish Creek in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
To keep up with all the exciting moments and updates in the Marquette men’s golf program, follow them on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Join the Journey
As the Golden Eagles gear up for their next challenge, fans can expect more thrilling displays of skill, teamwork, and determination. Will they soar to new heights in the upcoming Irish Creek Collegiate? Stay tuned to find out!
