Freshman Noah Hartman of Slater tied for medalist honors with a 70 as the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) men's golf team began the fall season by winning the NIACC Invitational September 12 at Mason City.

Hartman tied James Preston of Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) for top honors as the Bears totaled 293 strokes in the tournament and finished three strokes ahead of ILCC.

"I wasn't quite sure how we'd come out because it was our first meet," DMACC men's golf coach Chris Seaboch said. "We've got two sophomores (Hartman and Dylan Ellis of Aplington) that we really believe in so we know that we have those two that we can rely on. It was just what are our freshman going to do?"

Ellis and freshman Dylan Sporrer of Nevada finished fourth and fifth respectively with scores of 71 and 72 and freshman Trevor Heinen of Waterloo finished in 21st place with an 80.

"For Dylan Sporrer to come out and play the way he did was really exciting," Seaboch said.

Other DMACC results included 80s by freshman Ryan Leath of Glenwood and sophomore Ryan Cole of Ames and an 82 by freshman Sam Balsley of Ames. Leath finished 23rd, Cole was 24th and Balsley was 30th.

Seaboch said he wants his players to work on their short game during the fall, especially getting the ball close to pins from inside of 50 yards.

"Most of those guys can get the ball on the green, but we're looking to get it closer (to the pin)," Seaboch said. "We'll do some minor stuff during the fall and work on major things during the winter."

The DMACC men's golf team will play in the Ottawa Invitational Sept. 23 and 24 at Lawrence, Kan.