Men's Golf Takes Win in Dramatic Fashion

Springfield, OH - After taking a commanding first round lead at their home course, the 2025 Jeff Roope Invitational came down to the wire for Wittenberg Men's Golf. It eventually took a playoff, but the Tigers got the job done, defeating North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival John Carroll to take the team title.

After a Round 1 played in nearly perfect weather conditions at historic Springfield Country Club, Wittenberg was in first place over John Carroll by 10 strokes as the teams shot 285 (-3) and 295 (+7), respectively. After overnight rains softened up the course, Round 2 was played in the coldest temperatures seen this fall, coupled with challenging winds. The Blue Streaks handled the conditions extremely well, posting the best round of the day at 289 (+1), while Wittenberg posted a 299 (+11). With the teams tied at the end of 36 holes with matching scores of 584 (+8), two golfers from each team were sent back on to the course for a playoff hole. As spectators and teammates around the ninth green, Wittenberg's dynamic sophomore duo of Mitch Bolte (Newark, OH / Newark) and Mikey Schutte (Cincinnati, OH / Elder) carded a pair of pars, while the John Carroll golfers carded one par and one bogey to give the Tigers the win.

Individually, the top finisher for the Tigers was Bolte, who shot a first-round 70 (-2) and a second-round 72 (E) to finish with a two-round total of 142 (-2), good for second place overall, four strokes behind Austin O'Malley of John Carroll. Mark Sulek (Delaware, OH / Hayes), who carded a first round 70 (-2) and a second round 76 (+4) to end with 146 strokes (+2), took third place, followed by Alex Rath (Dublin, OH / Scioto) with rounds of 72 (E) and 75 (+3) for a total of 147 (+3), good for sixth place.

The other two scorers for the Tigers were David Walterhouse (Statham, GA / Bethlehem Christian Academy), who shot a first-round 74 (+2) and a second-round 76 (+4) to finish at 150 (+6), good for a tie for 10th place, and Schutte, who carded rounds of 73 (+1) and 78 (+6) to finish at 151 (+7) to tie for 12th in the field of 53 golfers.

The players who formed Wittenberg's B team also performed extremely well in the tournament, led by Griffin Turner (Enon, OH / Greenon), who tied Sulek for third place with a two-round total of 146. Charlie Parker (Swanbourne, Australia / Scotch College) tied for 10th with a score of 150, Owen Williams (Plymouth, MI / Detroit Catholic Central) carded rounds of 74 and 77 to finish in a tie for 12th place at 151, Bradley Hinkel (Springboro, OH / Springboro) tied for 17th with a total score of 155, and Caleb Domitrovich (McDonald, OH / McDonald) rounded things out with a score of 163 and a tie for 40th in the standings.

As a team, Wittenberg's B team finished third in the final standings with a two-day score of 602 (+26). Wisconsin-Stout finished fourth in the nine-team field at +45, and Ohio Wesleyan rounded out the top five at +52.

Four other Tigers were entered in the event as individuals, highlighted by the performance of Zac Thompson (Springfield, OH / Catholic Central), who overcame a first-round 80 to finish at 153, good for 15th place.

Next Up

The Tigers will travel to North Carolina to compete in the O'Briant Jensen Invitational, hosted by Guilford College on October 27 and 28 for their last rounds of the Fall season.