Golden Grizzlies Set for Third Straight Don Benbow Spring Invitational Appearance

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Wrapping up a three-event March stretch, the Oakland University men's golf team will return to the Don Benbow Spring Invitational, hosted by Butler University, in Indianapolis.

The 54-hole tournament will be played Monday and Tuesday, March 30-31, at the Highland Country Club. A 9 a.m. (ET) shotgun start is scheduled for both days, with 36 continuous holes on Monday and the final 18 on Tuesday on the par-70, 6,587-yard layout.

Named in honor of the late Don Benbow, the event recognizes the Butler Athletics Hall of Famer for his contributions and impact as a standout football student-athlete, golf and football coach, and longtime athletics administrator.

Twelve teams are set to compete in this year's event: Butler, Detroit Mercy, Evansville, Green Bay, Indian Hills, IU Indianapolis, Oakland, Purdue Fort Wayne, Robert Morris, SIUE, Southern Indiana, and Youngstown State. Ball State, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, and West Virginia will be represented by individuals.

This will be Oakland's third appearance in the Bulldogs' annual spring tournament. The Golden Grizzlies have finished in the top half of the field in each of their previous trips, tying for fourth in 2024 and placing fifth in 2025. Junior Matteo Rocco paced the team last year, tying for 12th overall with an even-par 210 (72-68-70), while redshirt junior Jack Zubkus tied for ninth as an individual with a one-under-par 209 (72-73-71).

Oakland's lineup for the 2026 Don Benbow Spring Invitational includes Rocco, Zubkus, senior Ellis Kinnaird, junior Robert Burns, and freshman Rakshit Dahiya. Burns returns to the lineup for the first time since the Dayton Flyer Invitational in late October, where he led the Golden Grizzlies with a 218 (+5) to tie for 16th.

The Golden Grizzlies will tee off on holes one through three, paired with Butler, SIUE, and IU Indianapolis. Kelly will start on hole 18 alongside individuals from Robert Morris, Indian Hills, and Evansville.

Live scoring and statistics for each round will be available on Clippd.

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

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Players Mentioned

Robert Burns: Junior

Ellis Kinnaird: Senior

Matteo Rocco: Junior

Jack Zubkus: Redshirt Junior

Rakshit Dahiya: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Robert Burns
: Junior

Ellis Kinnaird
: Senior

Matteo Rocco
: Junior

Jack Zubkus
: Redshirt Junior

Rakshit Dahiya
: Freshman