Elon Captures First CAA Men’s Golf Championship in Thrilling Sudden Death Playoff

4/22/2025 5:45:23 PM

Dylan Smith

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | PHOTO GALLERY | RESULTS

SWAINTON, N.J. – For the first time in league history, Elon secured the CAA Men’s Golf Championship after a thrilling, sudden-death playoff against Drexel at the Union League National Golf Club on Tuesday. The Phoenix and Dragons finished the three-round tournament with a score of 877 before tackling the 18^th hole once more.

Drexel forced the playoff after Griffin Mitchell sank a birdie on 17 and drained a massive eagle on the par-5 18^th hole. The championship runner-up also posted a 1-under on the afternoon before finishing with the same score across the three rounds.

Replaying the final hole for the playoff, Elon’s Jack Wieler started the extra hole by finding the green in just two shots. The sophomore went uphill on his third stroke and found the bottom of the cup for an eagle. The Phoenix’s Garrett Risner sealed the victory with an eagle of his own, chipping in a shot from the rough behind the green, sending Elon to the NCAA Regionals with an automatic qualifying bid.

Campbell’s Henric Bjelke will join the Phoenix in the national tournament after securing medalist honors and the 2025 CAA Most Outstanding Golfer. After an impressive course-record 65 in the opening round, the Oslo, Norway product finished with a 6-under 210 for the tournament. Campbell was in the hunt for its first conference title down the stretch, ultimately finishing in third with a team score of 882.

Towson’s Ariihau Faana posted the best round score of the afternoon, shooting a 4-under 68 and hitting his second eagle of the tournament on the final hole.

Team Leaderboard
T1.          Elon* 877
Drexel                             877
3.            Campbell 882
4.            Charleston                       892
5.            UNCW                             901
6.            William & Mary                903
7             Delaware                         905
8.            Towson 917
9.   Monmouth 938
10.          North Carolina A&T 950
11.          Hofstra                             964
*won on aggregate score (16 to 18) in one-hole, sudden-death playoff

Individual Leaderboard
1 Henric Bjelke, Campbell                 210
2.           Griffin Mitchell, Drexel                    215
3            Casper Nerpin, Delaware                    217
T4.         Juan Callejo Ropero, Elon                 218
            Tim Bertenbreiter, Charleston           218
          Benjamin Killingstad, Campbell        218
T7.       Kieron Van Wyk, Charleston                 220
         Gray Mitchum, UNCW                        220
T9.      Garrett Risner, Elon                       221
           Jack Wieler, Elon              221

*bold denotes 2025 CAA All-Tournament Team