Story by: NU Athletic Communications
Freshman Tommy Kelley produced Nebraska's best individual performance in his first collegiate tournament by tying for 27th to lead the Husker men's golf team to a ninth-place finish at the season-opening New York Habor Cup in Bayonne, N.J., on Tuesday.
Kelley, a first-year Husker out of Omaha Creighton Prep, opened the fall season with a three-round total of 217 (+4), including a final-round 75 (+4) on the 7,106-yard layout at the Bayonne Golf Club Tuesday.
Kelley, who posted back-to-back rounds of even-par 71 on Monday, capped his inaugural tournament as a Husker by carding his first collegiate eagle on the par-5, 579-yard eighth hole.
Gavin Gerch, a junior out of Lincoln Southeast, tied for 38th with a three-round total of 221 (+8). Gerch produced Nebraska's best individual round of the tournament with an opening-round 69 (-2) on Monday morning. He followed with rounds of 75 and 77 to close as Nebraska's No. 2 finisher in his first event as a Husker.
Freshman Jaxson Hinze, from Waco, Neb., battled his way to a final-round 77 to take 46th at 226 (+13). Hinze opened the tournament with a 73 (+2) before completing Monday's 36 holes with a second-round 76 (+5).
Junior Jackson Benge and sophomore Caden Mickelson finished at 47th together, closing the tournament with 54-hole scores of 227 (+14). Mickelson opened the first round with a 72 (+1) and Benge contributed a 74 (+3). During Monday's second round both Benge and Mickelson managed rounds of 78 (+7), before Benge (75) and Mickelson (77) capped their tournaments Tuesday.
Kanas won the team title at 827 (-25), outlasting Purdue's 829 (-23). Little Rock and Michigan State tied for third at 841 (-11). while Rutgers closed out the top five at 846 (-6). Nebraska finished the tournament in ninth at 889 (+34).
Arthur Carlier (Kansas) and Jenson Forrester shared the individual title with three-round totals of 201 (-12).
The Huskers will return to action at the Bearcat Invitational at Coldstream Country Club in Cincinnati (Sept. 14-15).
New York Harbor Cup
Aug. 31-Sept 1, 2026
Bayonne, N.J.
Bayonne Golf Club (Par 71, 7,106)
Final Team Results
1. Kansas - 269-277-281=827 (-25)
2. Purdue - 277-270-282=829 (-23)
T3. Little Rock - 276-275-290=841 (-11)
T3. Michigan State - 283-280-278=841 (-11)
5. Rutgers - 277-288-281=846 (-6)
T6. USF - 285-850-285=850 (-2)
T6. Marquette - 276-283-291=850 (-2)
8. West Virginia - 284-296-292=872 (+20)
9. Nebraska - 285-300-304=889 (+37)
Final Individual Results
T1. Arthur Carlier, Kansas-67-68-66=201 (-12)
T1. Jenson Forrester, Purdue-69-64-68=201 (-12)
3. Nicolas Vidal Reig, Kansas-66-67-71=204 (-9)
T4. Ryan Banas, Marquette-69-67-70=206 (-7)
T4. Bennett Espenshade, Rutgers-68-70-68=206 (-7)
Nebraska Individuals
T27. Tommy Kelley - 71-71-75=217 (+4)
T38. Gavin Gerch - 69-75-77=221 (+8)
46. Jaxson Hinze - 73-76-77=226 (+13)
T47. Jackson Benge - 74-78-75=227 (+14)
T47. Caden Mickelson - 72-78-77=227 (+14)
Evan McDermott - Did Not Compete