BECKER, Minn. – The North Central College Rams lead the 2024 UMAC Men’s Golf Championship after the opening day of competition on Thursday at Pebble Creek Golf Club. NCU shot 323 (+35), taking a two-stroke lead into day two. The Rams were led by Hector Avila, who tied for third with a round of 78 (+6).
 
After day one, the top four teams on the leaderboard stand within just four strokes of each other.
 
The University of Northwestern Eagles and the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets are tied for second after shooting 325 (+37) on the opening day of the championship. Northwestern is led by Carson Mersberger, who shot 78 (+6) on Thursday to tie for third overall. For the Yellowjackets, Matthew Unger leads the way with 80 (+8), tying for eighth overall.
 
The Bethany Lutheran Vikings follow just two strokes behind the Eagles and Yellowjackets and just four strokes behind the Rams after shooting 327 (+39). Jake Swanson and Keaton Ginter lead BLC after day one. Swanson is tied for third with 78 (+6). Ginter stands tied for sixth with 79 (+7).
 
Benjamin Pearson leads the field after the first day of the championship. The Martin Luther College Knights’ freshman shot 75 (+3) through the opening 18. Gavin Brown of the University Minnesota Morris Cougars is currently second overall, following Pearson in second by just two strokes after a round of 77 (+5).
 
Day two of the UMAC Championship tees off at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 4.
 
Team Leaderboard: Day One                                                  
1. North Central | 323 (+35)
T2. Northwestern | 325 (+37)
T2. UW-Superior | 325 (+37)
4. Bethany Lutheran | 327 (+39)
5. Martin Luther | 332 (+44)
6. Minnesota Morris | 333 (+45)
7. Crown | 341 (+53)
8. Northland | 365 (+77)

Player Leaderboard: Day One                                                  
1. Benjamin Pearson | Martin Luther | 75 (+3)
2. Gaven Brown | Minnesota Morris | 77 (+5)
T3. Hector Avila | North Central | 78 (+6)
T3. Carson Mersberger | Northwestern | 78 (+6)
T3. Jake Swanson | Bethany Lutheran | 78 (+6)
T6. Keaton Ginter | Bethany Lutheran | 79 (+7)
T6. Nathan Halseth | Crown | 79 (+7)
T8. Noah Frazell | Northwestern | 80 (+8)
T8. Cameron Jackson | North Central | 80 (+8)
T8. Matthew Unger | UW-Superior | 80 (+8)