WATERLOO, Ill. – The Drake men's golf team finished in fifth place the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Tuesday after carding a three-round total of 867 (290-295-282).
The Bulldogs' team total of 867 marked the second-lowest 54-hole total on the season (866 at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate), and their final round team score of 282 also marked the second-lowest team round of the season (280 at the Grier Jones Shocker Invitational – 2nd round).
"We hit the ball great all week," Drake head coach
Matt Lewis said. "Our putters were cold. We just couldn't make the birdie looks we had. We led the field in pars, but had the least amount of birdies. I am extremely proud how we competed all three days. It was great to end our final round with our low score."
Illinois State claimed the championship in a sudden death playoff over Murray State to win the title for the second-straight year. The Racers chased down the Redbirds during the final round firing a 12-under-par 272 to force the playoff, but a 12-foot putt by Illinois State senior TJ Barger in the second round of the playoff secured the win for Illinois State.
Drake had a pair of players finish inside the top-15 on the individual leaderboard.
Jake Weissenburger led the Bulldogs with his solo 14th place finish and freshman
Luke Bohmer finished right behind in solo 15th.
Weissenburger ended his tournament with a total score of 215 (72-74-69), which was his season-best 54-hole score. His final round of 2-under, 69 was the low round of the tournament for the Bulldogs. Bohmer, meanwhile, carded a 216 total with rounds of 70-73-73.
"Jake came up huge with his final round of 69," Lewis said. "I know he was disappointed with his up and down season. I know he will come back next year and tear it up. I was impressed with Luke as freshman the way he improved all year and stepped it up this last week. I thought he could have earned Freshman of the Year. It must have been a close vote. He did end up beating the Freshman of the Year by four this week."
Following on the leaderboard were
Nate Spear and
Dylan Drogemuller. The Drake duo tied for 26th as both tallied a total score of 221. Spear and Drogemuller recorded identical rounds of 74-77-70 over the course of the three days. Spear was named to the All-Conference Team after play had concluded and for Drogemuller he recorded a season-low 54-hole total and tied his low-round of the season with his final round of 70.
"I am very happy for Nate leading us all year as our only senior," Lewis said. "He ended his final round shooting 1-under and it was great to see his play all season get rewarded with his All-Conference selection. Happy for Dylan shooting under par in his final round as well."
Rounding out the Drake squad was
Sam Johnson. The junior finished tied for 33rd at 223 (77-71-75).
"Sam had a breakout season for us and his confidence grew all year," Lewis added. "He will do great things next year."
Illinois State's Francis Bautista claimed medalist honors at 10-under, 203 with rounds of 67-65-71.
This brings an end to the 2025-26 season for the Drake men's golf team.
