Golfers Davis and Weirth Earn PING All-West Region Honors from GCAA

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University men's golfers Austin Davis (So., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) and Alex Weirth (Fy., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) have been chosen to the NCAA Division III PING All-West Region Team for 2019-20 by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Davis and Weirth were among 16 athletes from the West Coast and Texas selected for All-West Region honors.

A total of five golfers from the Northwest Conference were selected. In addition to Davis and Weirth, one player each was included from George Fox University, Pacific Lutheran University and Whitworth University. The Bearcats competed in four tournaments during the fall season and in two tournaments during the spring, before the last four tournament of the regular season were canceled.

"The All-Region Team took the top 16 players from the region. It was great to see five players from the NWC get selected," Willamette Head Coach Patrick Daugherty said. "Our conference made up almost a third of the selections and I have not seen that in my 10 years. Having two of those five is really special. Austin and Alex were really having a good season, and I am proud that they will be recognized for that. They are both very deserving of the recognition, and we look forward to seeing them up there again."

The GCAA and PING honored a total of 96 players on six All-Region teams nationwide. The South Region's 20 selections led the way, followed by the 16 golfers named in the West Region.

NCAA Division III PING All-West Region

Austin Davis (So.) competed in all six tournaments for the Bearcats this year. He earned an unadjusted stroke average of 72.23 for the season, including two rounds of 69. Both of the sub-70 rounds were at the Bulldog Fall Invitational, hosted by the University of Redlands, where he took second place out of 42 golfers at 5-under-par 211 (73-69-69) for 54 holes. He was named NWC Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts. He shot even-par for the season.

Davis placed third at the Boxer Spring Opener by carding a 143 (71-72) on Feb. 29 and March 1. He tied for fifth at the Puget Sound Invitational with a score of 146 (71-75). He was ninth at the NWC Fall Classic at 146 (75-71), while helping Willamette take third place in the team standings.

In two seasons with the Bearcats, Davis has attained a solid career unadjusted stroke average of 73.56 while competing in a total of 36 rounds. He has recorded three rounds of 69. In 2018-19, he tied for 24th at the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships with a 72-hole score of 299 (78-75-73-73). He led Willamette to 13th place in the team standings.

Alex Weirth (Fy.) had an outstanding first season for Willamette. He led the team with a 72.15 unadjusted stroke average after golfing in all six tournaments. He won individual titles at the George Fox University Invitational on Oct. 5-6 and the Puget Sound Invitational on March 3-8.

Weirth shot a 36-hole score of 143 (72-71) at the GFU meet. He carded 139 (70-69) at the Puget Sound event. Weirth achieved six rounds of 71 or lower. He scored two 69s during the season and shot even-par overall.

He placed third at the NWC Fall Classic at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn, Oregon, with a score of 144 (70-74). He placed in the top 13 at all six meets. He was named NWC Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week on Oct. 6 and March 8.

Willamette's Season

The Bearcats placed in the top three at four tournaments. Willamette finished second at the Boxer Spring Opener. In addition to earning third place at the NWC Fall Classic, the Bearcats also took third place at the Bulldog Fall Invitational and the GFU Invitational.

All of Willamette's 13 rounds ended with team scores of 303 or lower, including 11 at 301 or lower, and six at 299 or lower. The team registered a season-low score of 281 in the third round of the Bulldog Fall Invitational.