DULUTH — Defending champion Jesse Bull will face a strong field when the 101st Northland Invitational leaves the first tee on Thursday morning at Northland Country Club. Bull, playing out of The Club at Golden Valley, turned last year’s final into a rout, defeating Will Karkoc of Maple Grove 8-and-6. No player has successfully defended the Northland title since Jordan Hawkinson in 2013 and the event has had 11 different winners in the past 13 years. He’ll make a bid for six and to equal Joe Stansberry for second all-time behind the legendary Leo Spooner’s 10. Arrowhead Invitational champion Matt Mellin will attempt to add 2026 to his 2016 and 2018 Northland championships.