Theissler leads DC at WHAC Championships

AUGUSTA, Mich. - The Defiance College men's golf team finished their 2024-25 season with a 12th-place finish at the WHAC Championships held at Stoatin Brae Golf Course.

Over the two-day, 54-hole tournament, the Yellow Jackets shot 990 as a team for their best showing at a conference championship meet since shooting 949 at the 2019 HCAC Championships. 

Freshman Sam Theissler was the Yellow Jackets' top finisher with a 21st-place showing after a 54-hole total of 230. He shot under 80 in all three rounds with his best coming during an opening-round 75 on Monday. He posted five birdies for the tournament with three of them coming during Monday's second round, where he finished with a 5-over 76. At the conclusion of the event, Theissler closed the spring season with eight rounds under 80 with a 78.1 18-hole average.

Fellow freshman and Canadian Jordan Walford was Defiance's next-best finisher in 45 with a three-round total of 244 (80, 80, 84). One of the highlights of his tournament was an eagle on the ninth hole during the second round. Senior Brenden Garvin and freshman Zack Palmer both finished at 258 for the tournament. Garvin tied his career-low round with a second-round 81 to go with cards of 85 and 92. Palmer submitted rounds of 83, 84 and 91. Each player had two birdies each during the tournament. Rounding out the lineup was freshman Alex Mortiz with a 285 on three rounds of 95.

Lawrence Tech swept the team and medalist trophies for the tournament, winning their fourth conference title in five years. LTU's Liam McEvoy finished two shots ahead of UNOH's Jose Luis Vargas with a 218 across 54 holes.