ST. MICHAEL, Minn. – The Carleton College men's golf program opened the 2026-27 season by competing at the University of Northwestern (Minn.) Invite. The Knights finished seventh of 13 squads with a team score of 306 (+22). They played without All-MIAC performers Sam Higaki and Justin Rodriguez in addition to junior Dillon Crocco.
 
Sophomore Austin Mak paced the Knights on Tuesday with a 3-over par 74 and tied for 10th overall. Rookie Eli Slifer got off to a fast start with three birdies over the first five holes and concluded his first collegiate competition at 5-over par, good for a 16th-place tie.
 
Sophomore Oscar Peche had a trio of birdies over his first six holes and finished the round with a score of 77 (+6) to tie for 24th place.  Junior Gareth Birney and first-year Matthew Kang carded matching scores of 79 (+8) as they tied for 31st place.
 
Carleton returns to action at the Augsburg Fall Invitational on Sept. 5-6.