Bearcats are Sixth after First Day of Pacific Invitational

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

NORTH PLAINS, ORE. -- Willamette University was in sixth place in the team standings at the end of the first day of the Pacific Spring Invitational in men's golf on Saturday, April 16 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. The tournament will conclude with the second round on Sunday, April 17.

The University of Puget Sound and Whitworth University were tied for the team lead after the first round. Both squads shot 301, giving the Loggers and the Pirates a two-stroke lead over Pacific University, which finished the round in third place at 303. Linfield College held third place at 313, with George Fox University in fourth place at 341 and Willamette in fifth place at 348. Lewis & Clark College did not field a complete team.

Max Bonk of Pacific topped the individual leaderboard with a 5-under-par 66 over the 6,451-yard course. Matt Kitto from the University of Puget Sound was second at 3-under-par 69, while Jesse Salzwedel of Whitworth was third with a 1-over-par 72.

Cole Clearman (Fr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) and Jacob Simonson (Fr., Fairview, OR/Reynolds HS) tied for Willamette's low round of the day, as each carded an 85. Kyle Derby (Fr., Oakdale, CA/Oakdale HS) shot an 87, while Brendan Dineen (Jr., Portland, OR/Grant HS) concluded the round with a 91.