Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech’s Niilo Maki-Petaja was voted by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association as the 2024 Men’s Golf Freshman of the Year, announced by the LSWA on Wednesday.
Maki-Petaja, who was also one of five players to be named First Team All-Louisiana, put together one of the best freshman seasons by a Bulldog in program history.
The Helsinki, Finland native registered a team-best 72.25 stroke average over 36 rounds, fourth best in program history. He totaled 20 rounds at or under par for the season, third most in school history.
The CUSA Freshman of the Year and First Team All-CUSA selection recorded six top-20 finishes, four of which were in the top five, and was the top Bulldog finisher in eight events.
Maki-Petaja tied for fourth at the Sea Best Invitational tied for fourth at the Louisiana Classics and finished third at the CUSA Championship. His first collegiate individual title came at the Aggie Invitational when he shot 70-74-73=217 (+1).
The freshman, which finished the season ranked No. 215 in the country, received an at-large bid as an individual to compete at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional where he tied for 27th.
Maki-Petaja becomes the first Bulldog in program history to be named Louisiana Freshman of the Year and the fourth Bulldog to be selected First Team All-Louisiana since 2013.
Player of the Year: Connor Gaunt, LSU
Freshman of the Year: Nilo Maki-Petaja, Louisiana Tech
Coach of the Year: Jeff Lorio, New Orleans
First Team
Connor Gaunt, LSU
Nilo Maki-Petaja, Louisiana Tech
Jay Mendell, LSU
Drew Doyle, LSU
Andrew Bennett, Centenary College
Second Team
Melan Dhaubhadel, ULM
Kyle Bennett, New Orleans
Grayson Glorioso, Southeastern
Malan Potgieter, UL-Lafayette
Matt Weber, New Orleans
