T-Bird (M-Golf) Finishes in 5th Place at NCTC Spring Invitational

The Thunderbirds began the spring season in Corinth, Texas at the NCTC Spring Invitational where NMJC finished in fifth place on Tuesday, Feb. 24. 

Weatherford College won the 36-hole tournament with a score of 1-under par. Scott Spark of Midland College won the tournament individually after shooting 3-under par over 36 holes. 

The T-Birds were 17 shots behind the winner Weatherford College after recording a 16-over (295-297) in the opening tournament of 2026. 

Tristan Kolasinski had a career-best finish when he tied for third place at 1-under this week at the NCTC Spring Invitational. The freshman shot a bogey free 4-under 68 in Round 1. His second round was a rocky rollercoaster that saw him 2-under through seven holes followed by four straight bogeys, two birdies, and then three straight bogeys on his way to a 3-over 75.  

Oliver Ruutu recorded his fourth top-15 finish and second top 10 of the season with his T-7 finish at Oakmont CC. The sophomore recorded a 1-over 73 in his first round. Ruutu's final round featured four birdies and an eagle alongside six bogeys as he shot an even-par 72 to finish 36 holes at 1-over.   

Freshman Riley Apodaca posted a career-best finish of T-12 in Corinth, Texas. Apodaca finished his tournament at 4-over par after firing back-to-back 74s over his 36 holes.  

Nick Friedrichsen had a tough opening round shooting a 9-over 81. He responded with a 4-over 76 in Round 2 to end the tournament T-39 at 13-over.

Eino Haaslahti's first team event with the T-Birds did not go according to plan. The freshman opened with an 8-over 80 and then withdrew in Round 2 due to a back injury. 

Severi Varis was the only individual in the field for the Thunderbirds. The freshman shot 78-86 in two rounds of play to finish in 58th place at 20-over par. 

The Thunderbirds next event is the TankLogix Intercollegiate in Midland, Texas March 9-10 at the Green Tree CC.