Willamette Takes Fourth Place at Pacific Invitational

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

BANKS, ORE. -- Willamette University took fourth place in the team standings at the Pacific Invitational in men's golf, as the 36-hole event concluded on Monday, Sept. 20 at the Quail Valley Golf Course. The two-day tournament was the season opener for the Bearcats.

Pacific University won the team title with a score of 604 (296-308). Linfield College finished in second place at 612 (302-310) and Corban University was third at 617 (310-307). Willamette's fourth place score was 652 (333-319), while Lewis & Clark College scored 668 (343-325) for fifth place.

George Fox University did not record an overall team score despite having six golfers compete because only two golfers completed both rounds.

Max Bonk of Pacific, who led by one stroke after shooting a 71 in the opening round, extended his lead to 11 strokes by the end of the second day. He carded a 3-under-par 69 in the second round. His overall score of 140 was 4-under-par.

Corban's Steve Landis claimed second place at 151 (76-75), while Alex Fitch of Linfield (75-77) and Joe Ziogas of Corban (73-79) tied for third place at 152.

Three golfers tied for fifth place at 153. They were Yutaro Sakamoto (73-80) and Beau Slayton (79-74) of Linfield, along with Mark Spathas (74-79) from Lewis & Clark.

Connor Boyd (Fr.) tied for 11th place to record Willamette's best finish. He shot 156 overall with a 78 each day. Daniel Rehm (Fr.) shot 82-82--164 for the Bearcats. Jacob Simenson (Fr.) had WU's low round of the tournament with a 77 on the second day to finish at 165.

Other Willamette golfers competing at the event were Kyle Flowers (Fr.) and Paul Shoji (Fr.). Both ended the 36 holes at 168, as Flowers shot 84-84 and Shoji went 86-82.

Up next for the Bearcats is the Willamette Valley Championship on Friday, Oct. 1. Willamette will host the tournament at the Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem, Ore., starting at 1 p.m. (PDT).