Northwestern Men’s Golf Shines in Final Regular Season Competition at the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – In a thrilling finale to their regular season, the Northwestern Men’s Golf team showcased their exceptional talent at the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial tournament, securing a commendable third place finish. With their eyes set on defending their title at the upcoming Big Ten Championships, two standout players—Niall Shiels-Donegan and Cameron Adam—landed themselves firmly within the top 10.
An Impressive Return to Birdwood Golf Course
Returning to the stunningly scenic Birdwood Golf Course, the Wildcats tackled the par-71, 7,116-yard layout for the third consecutive year. Their result marks a second straight top-three finish and the team’s third consecutive appearance in the top five—a clear testament to their consistent performance and determination.
Shiels-Donegan’s Stellar Performance
Niall Shiels-Donegan, hailing from Mill Valley, California, made waves by completing all three rounds at or below par, carding a score of -2 (71-69-71=211) and tying for sixth place overall, just three strokes shy of the tournament leader, Florida State’s Luke Claton, currently ranked third among collegiate golfers. This marks Shiels-Donegan’s second time leading the Cats in competition this season, following an impressive showing at The Prestige in La Quinta, California.
Team Results and Highlights
The Wildcats finished the tournament with a 54-hole team score of 852 (278-280-294), landing them at an impressive even par. They finished behind only two ranked teams, No. 11 Florida State and No. 13 Virginia, both of whom proved a formidable challenge.
- Florida State captured the team title with a score of -13 (267-274-298=839), finishing five strokes ahead of UVA (-8; 281-276-287=844).
In addition to Shiels-Donegan, Cameron Adam finished strong in eighth place with a score of E (69-69-75=213). Adam’s solid performance is noteworthy, especially as he has recently been named a finalist for the prestigious Byron Nelson Award.
Additional Standouts on the Squad
Northwestern’s Mark Gazi made his mark by claiming his first collegiate Top 25 finish with a score of +4 (70-72-75=217). Meanwhile, Daniel Svärd (+7; 71-68-81=220), fresh off a win at The Goodwin, had a rocky third round but demonstrated strong potential in the earlier rounds. Archie Finnie also shined, managing his best-ever round with a 4-under 67 in the first round, and Ethan Tseng rounded out the team with a score of +10 (74-74-75=223).
Leading the Charge: Wildcats on the Leaderboard
- T-6th – Niall Shiels-Donegan -2 (71-69-71=211)
- T-8th – Cameron Adam E (69-69-75=213)
- T-25th – Mark Gazi (IND) +4 (70-72-75=217)
- T-39th – Daniel Svärd +7 (71-68-81=220)
- T-39th – Archie Finnie +7 (67-80-73=220)
- T-51st – Ethan Tseng +10 (74-74-75=223)
Looking Ahead: Big Ten Championships
With the regular season wrapped up, the Wildcats now shift their focus to the postseason, armed with a mission to defend their title at the Big Ten Championships in Baltimore, Maryland, from April 25-27. Notably, Svärd aims to capture his third individual title, further igniting excitement as they prepare for this pivotal competition. For more details on the event, visit the Big Ten Men’s Golf Championships Central.
The Wildcats have demonstrated skill, resilience, and teamwork throughout the season, and with their sights set on the championships, fans can anticipate whether they will rise to the occasion once again.
