A solid performance from the Salukis’ top golfers led SIUC to a seventh place finish in the 22nd Annual Northern Iowa Golf Classic.

SIUC’s highest finisher, senior Quinn McClure, tied for 10th place with a 72-hole score of 302.

McClure has earned top-10 finishes in the past two tournaments.

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McClure said he was happy with his finish, but that scores were higher than they should have been.

The Salukis went into the tournament for the first time not knowing the course and were unable to shoot a practice round beforehand.

Both Coach Gene Shaneyfelt and McClure said that this was a drawback for the team.

We went in like the blind leading the blind, McClure said.

Shaneyfelt said he was pleased with McClure’s play, but said there are some weaknesses in his game.

We need to work on his mental game and his short game, he said. He has gotten better, but he has to learn not to let one bad shot carry on to the next hole.

Freshman Todd Eaker shot a 303, ending his first college tournament in 11th place overall.

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Eaker said nerves were not a factor in the tournament.

Nerves were there for the first couple of holes, but then they went away.

Shaneyfelt said Eaker’s style of play surpasses his years.

Although he (Eaker) is a freshman, he has the demeanor of someone who is four to five years older, he said.

Maturity and composure are keys to Eaker’s success.

He is very mature, Shaneyfelt said. He doesn’t get excited when he hits a bad shot. That’s what you need.

Shaneyfelt said his squad needs to work on individual weak points in order to lower scores. The Salukis’ short game and mental game are leading to high finishes.

We need to work on individual weak spots, Shaneyfelt said. We will work on putting.

McClure also said these areas are essential to future success.

We have guys with all the ability in the world, but they go into a tournament with a different frame of mind than in practice.

Shaneyfelt said the team needs lower scores from all players as well.

We’re not getting anything out of our last guys, he said. We don’t have a good combination yet. We need to have mid to lower 70s to be competitive.

The Salukis ended tournament play with a team score of 1232.

Illinois State won the tournament scoring 1174.