Jones Wins Title, Bearcats Take First Place, at Pacific Fall Invitational
By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
BANKS, Ore. -- Trent Jones (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) of Willamette University, who shot a 3-under 68 in the first round of the Pacific Fall Invitational, added an even-par 71 in the second round on Sunday, Sept. 20, to win the individual championship by three strokes with a 36-hole score of 139 at Quail Valley Golf Course. Willamette golfers also placed third and fourth, helping the Bearcats earn the team title with a score of 572.
Jones, competing in his first collegiate tournament, led the field by three strokes after the first day. His 68 tied teammate Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) for low round of the weekend. Lamothe shot a 68 on Sunday.
The only other golfer to break 70 during the tournament was Jamie Carroll of Whitworth University, who took second place at 142. Carroll recorded a 73 in the first round and shot 69 in the second round.
Peter Mitzel (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) earned third place for Willamette with a score of 143 (71-72). Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS), also from Willamette, placed fourth at 144 (73-71). Fifth place went to Oliver Rudnicki from Whitworth University, who shot 145 (74-71)
Two golfers tied for sixth place at 146. They were Lamothe of Willamette and Daniel Hoffman of Whitman College. Lamothe carded 78-68, while Hoffman achieved 73-73. Willamette's Sam Hinton (Fr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) shot 147 (73-74).
The Bearcats won the team championship by 10 strokes after attaining scores of 285 in the first round and 287 in the second round. Whitworth, which shot 295 in the first round, matched Willamette at 287 in the second round to finish second at 582.
Linfield College was third with a score of 598 (303-295). Lewis & Clark College placed fourth at 620 (316-304), Whitman College was fifth at 623 (309-314), and host Pacific University was sixth at 702 (339-363).
Also competing for the Bearcats were Kenneth Sheldon (Fr., Ocean Park, Washington/Ilwaco HS) and Collin Fuller (Jr./So., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS). Sheldon shot 154 (81-73) and Fuller shot 160 (82-78).
Up next on Willamette's schedule is the Pacific Lutheran Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27. The tournament will be held at The Home Course in Dupont, Washington.