Bearcats to Compete against Pacific and Linfield at Willamette Cup

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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's golf team will begin the 2015 spring season by competing at the Willamette Cup against Pacific University and Linfield College on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks, Ore. Action is scheduled to include 18 holes.

Last year, the Bearcats won the Willamette Cup team title with an 18-hole score of 312. Linfield was second at 320 and Pacific finished third at 350.

Kevin Kawasaki of Linfield claimed medalist honors with a score of 73. Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS) of Willamette placed second with a 74. Three golfers, including Ryan Kukula (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Peter Mitzel (So., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) of Willamette tied for third place at 76.

The Bearcats hope to receive strong play from Wilson, Kukula and Mitzel again this weekend. Kukula, one of two seniors on the team, has earned First Team All-NWC honors each of the past two seasons. Wilson and Mitzel both achieved Second Team All-NWC accolades as freshmen last year.

Kawasaki, now a senior at Linfield, is back to defend his Willamette Cup title. Corey Marineau (So.) is the top returning Pacific golfer from last year's Willamette Cup, where he tied for 10th overall.

After this weekend's competition, the Bearcats will return to action on March 14-15 at the Pioneer Invitational hosted by Lewis & Clark College. The tournament will be held at Heron Lakes Golf Club in Portland, Ore., on the Great Blue Course.