Kukula Named NWC Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior Ryan Kukula (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) has been chosen as the Northwest Conference Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week after taking 15th place out of 78 golfers at the prestigious West Cup on March 23-24 at the Tukwet Canyon Champions Course in Beaumont, California.

It is the second time Kukula has been named NWC Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week during the 2014-15 academic year. He also received the honor on Sept. 23, 2014 after winning the Pacific Fall Invitational by eight strokes with a 36-hole score of 135 (71-64).

During the West Cup, Kukula carded a score of 227 for the 54 holes of the tournament. He was the top finisher from the NWC, and he helped Willamette place eighth in the team standings. It was the top finish by an NWC team. A total of 15 teams -- including four from the NWC -- competed in the tournament.

Kukula shot 82-73-72 for the Bearcats. He recovered from a tough first round to shoot 145 over the final two rounds, as he moved up from a tie for 52nd into sole possession of 15th place.

The Bearcats recorded a team score of 936 (317-309-310). Willamette, which entered the West Cup ranked #36 in NCAA Division III, was one of nine nationally-ranked teams competing at the tournament. University of Redlands, ranked #4, won the team title with a score of 892 (296-301-295).

Willamette will return to action at the NWC Spring Classic on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12. The Spring Classic will be held at Lake Spanaway Golf Course in Tacoma, Wash.