Bearcats Win Willamette Cup against Linfield and Pacific; Wilson Places 2nd

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

WOODBURN, ORE. -- Willamette University won the team title at the Willamette Cup in men's golf on Saturday, April 19, as the Bearcats shot 312 at the Oregon Golf Association Golf Course. The Bearcats placed six golfers in the top nine.

Kevin Kawasaki of Linfield College earned medalist honors with a 73. He won by one stroke over Clark Wilson (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS) of Willamette, who took second with a 74.

In the team standings, Willamette's 312 was followed by Linfield in second at 320. Pacific University placed third with a score of 350. Willamette gained the cup from Linfield, which won the 2013 title.

Kawasaki and Wilson finished in front of a trio of golfers who tied for third. The tie included Willamette teammates Ryan Kukula (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Peter Mitzel (Fr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS), along with Thomas Arand of Linfield, as all three carded a 76. A.J. Taylor from Linfield was sixth with a 78.

Willamette's next two finishers tied for seventh. They were Steven Rodriguez (So., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) and Jonathan Ross (Jr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS), both at 80. In addition, Chase Lamothe (Fr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) of WU placed ninth with an 81.

The Bearcats will compete at the OGA Golf Course again next weekend at the Northwest Conference Tournament. The 36-hole event is set for Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27. It will count for one-half of the NWC team title. Entering the tournament, Willamette is in first place in the standings, while Pacific Lutheran University and Whitworth University are tied for second.