Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
K-State Wildcat Invitational
Salukis Finish Fourth at K-State Wildcat Invitational
09/15/2026 | 9:18:00 | Men's Golf
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Southern Illinois men's golf opened its 2026-27 season with a fourth-place finish at the K-State Wildcat Invitational on Tuesday at Colbert Hills Golf Course.
The Salukis finished the 54-hole tournament at 25-over par (889) after rounds of 290, 307 and 292. Southern Illinois placed fourth in the 15-team field.
Head coach Justin Fetcho said the Salukis played solid golf for long stretches but a few costly moments — particularly during the windy second round — prevented the team from finishing higher.
"We played solid for a long stretch of the golf tournament but just had some moments that cost us, especially in the second round and ultimately kept us from finishing higher on the leaderboard," Fetcho said. "It got very windy in the second round and we just didn't handle the challenge as well as we needed to. We have to remain tough even when it gets tough out there."
Oliver Ulrich led the Salukis with a top-10 finish, tying for eighth at 3-over par with rounds of 71-75-73.
Fetcho said Ulrich carried strong play from practice into the season opener.
"Oliver played some good golf this week and he walked away with a top 10. He played some good golf back home and had some good practices, so it was good to see it translate with a solid event to open the season," Fetcho said.
River Stilley and freshman Jamen Sanders both finished tied for 15th at 5-over par. Stilley closed the tournament with a 1-under 71, while Sanders posted rounds of 71-77-73 in his collegiate debut.
"River played some strong golf today shooting 1-under and finishing top 15," Fetcho said. "Also, it was good to see freshman Jamen Sanders finish in the top 15 in his first collegiate event."
Southern Illinois has a quick turnaround before its next tournament, and Fetcho said the focus will be on making improvements over the next few days.
"We have a short turnaround before we play again and we have some work to do to get better. We will work hard the next couple of days to be ready to go for our next event," Fetcho said.
UP NEXT
The Salukis return to action Sept. 21-22 at the Highlands Invitational in Westchester, Illinois.
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