WESTLAKE, Ohio – The Golden Grizzlies finished in second-place at the annual Tom Tontimonia Invitational, marking the sixth time Oakland has placed in the top two in seven appearances. 

Matteo Rocco, who competed as an individual, achieved his first top-10 performance of the season, finishing in sixth place. The junior recorded a season-best performance of one-under-par after three rounds. Rocco had the second-best par-4 average throughout the tournament and tallied nine birdies, along with the fifth-most pars at 38.

For the team, all golfers finished in the top 25. Luke Kelly led the team with an overall score of two-over-par. He recorded the most birdies for the Golden Grizzlies and fourth-most overall, totaling 11, including five in the last round, and had an impressive last round of 69 (-2) despite rainy weather conditions.

Jack Zubkus, Ellis Kinnaird, and Robert Burns tied for 15th place with scores of 216 (+3) after the two-day tournament. Brennan Sullivan rounded out the team, tying for 23rd with a score of 218 (+5). Ben Willis, who competed as an individual alongside Rocco, finished tied for 51st.

On the course, Oakland delivered strong performances against competitors. The team achieved the best par-five average (4.71 strokes per hole), the second-best par-four average (4.07), the third-most birdies (43), and the second-most pars (176). 

After the second round, the Golden Grizzlies were in the lead, with Rocco tied as the top golfer. Despite challenging weather conditions, the team managed a solid third round with an overall score of two-over-par. However, Green Bay surged ahead with an eight-under-par third round, taking the championship from Oakland by six strokes.

With the second-place finish against primarily Horizon League schools, Oakland looks to be a top contender for the 2026 #HLGolf Championships at the end of April.

OU RESULTS
Team: 291 | 281 | 286 = 858 (+6)
6. Matteo Rocco (IND): 71 | 68 | 73 = 212 (-1)
T11. Luke Kelly: 73 | 73 | 69 = 215 (+2)
T15. Jack Zubkus: 71 | 74 | 71 = 216 (+3)
T15. Ellis Kinnaird: 76 | 67 | 73 = 216 (+3)
T15. Robert Burns: 74 | 69 | 73 = 216 (+3)
T23. Brennan Sullivan: 73 | 72 | 73 = 218 (+5)
T51. Ben Willis (IND): 76 | 75 | 73 = 224 (+11)

Complete results of the invitational can be found on Clippd.

UP NEXT: The team will be back on the road Oct. 13-14 to compete in the Purdue Fall Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind.

How to Follow Oakland Men's Golf: For complete information on Oakland Men's Golf, follow the team on Instagram and X at @OaklandMGolf.