Jones Wins Title with a 69, as Bearcats Take First Place at Spring Trilogy #1

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

WOODBURN, Ore. -- Paxton Jones (Fy., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) of Willamette University shot a career-low round of 3-under par 69 to win the individual title at the Spring Trilogy #1 men's golf tournament on Saturday, March 5. The Bearcats earned the team title with a score of 3-under par 285. Willamette hosted the 18-hole event at the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) Golf Course.

Jones shot a 2-over 38 on the front nine and ended the round with a 5-under 31 on the back nine. His success on the back nine included six birdies.

A total of six Bearcats placed in the top 10 on the individual leaderboard. Jones was followed by Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) in second place with a 1-under par 71. Andrew Kibbee (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) tied for third place with Alex Hong of Lewis & Clark College, as both golfers shot even-par 72. Riley Lankford (Sr., Pilot Rock, OR/Pilot Rock HS) of WU tied for fifth place with a 73, as he matched Mason Rohleder of George Fox University.

Jack McMullin (So., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) from Willamette was part of a three-way tie for seventh place at 74. Also tying for seventh were Dante Heitschmidt of GFU and Riley Lynch from Linfield University. Willamette's Austin Davis (Sr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) placed 10th with a 75.

Willamette's 285 topped the team standings by 14 strokes. George Fox took second place at 11-over par 299. Lewis & Clark was third at 314, just one stroke ahead of Linfield, which claimed fourth place at 315.

The Bearcats will return to action on Sunday, March 13 at the Spring Trilogy #2. The tournament will be held at Creekside Golf Club in Salem, Oregon.