Davis Wins West Region Showdown, as Five Bearcats Finish in Top Six
By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
PLANO, Texas -- Willamette University's Austin Davis (Sr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) won the individual title at the West Region Showdown as the 36-hole tournament concluded with the second round on Thursday, March 24 at The Course at Watters Creek. Davis shot 147 overall on the Traditions Course to win by one stroke over teammate Andrew Kibbee (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS). Davis led a 1-2-3-5-6 finish by the Bearcats, who claimed the team championship by 28 strokes with a score of 595.
It was Davis' third individual tournament championship this season. He previously won titles at the Linfield Fall Invitational and the Northwest Conference Fall Classic. Willamette has achieved five team titles this season.
"Austin Davis played very consistently this week and was just rock-solid," Willamette Head Men's Golf Coach Patrick Daugherty said. "I love the way he competes."
Davis shot a 73 in the first round on Wednesday and a 74 on Thursday. Kibbee finished at 148 with a 75 in the first round followed by a 73 in the second round. Paxton Jones (Fy., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) of Willamette carded a score of 149 (73-76) for third place. Davis Archer from the University of Texas at Dallas shot 150 (76-74) and placed fourth. Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) of the Bearcats was fifth at 152 (74-78), while Riley Lankford (Sr., Pilot Rock, OR/Pilot Rock HS) from Willamette was sixth at 153 (76-77).
"We really feel like the Texas Cup slipped away from us (at The Courses at Watters Creek this past Saturday and Sunday). We just didn't play well down the stretch," Daugherty commented. "With that being said, the guys wanted to come back out and play well against George Fox and UT-Dallas, and they did that. This trip was really good for us. I think we have a great idea about where we're at, and we confirmed what we already knew ... that our guys play well on the road. We're excited about going into conference play (April 9-10 and April 23-24)."
Jared Harvey from UT-Dallas placed seventh with a score of 154 (77-77). Dante Heitschmidt of George Fox University was eighth at 155. Heitschmidt recorded the low round of the tournament with a 70 in the second round after shooting 85 in the first round. Tyler Reitano of UTD was ninth at 156 (79-77).
In the team standings, Willamette's 595 led the way, as the Bearcats registered a 295 in the first round and shot 300 in the second round. UT-Dallas finished second with a score of 623 (314-309). George Fox was third at 637 (326-311).
Three Bearcats -- Aunders Erickson (Grad., Portland, OR/Westview HS/Ohio Wesleyan Univ.), Jack McMullin (So., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS), and Carlos Cortes Dequidt (Jr., San Diego, CA/Torrey Pines HS) -- competed in the tournament as individuals. Erickson shot 160 after lowering his score from an 87 in the first round to a 73 in the second round. Erickson's 73 matched Kibbee and Davis for the second-lowest round of the tournament. McMullin carded an overall score of 162 (84-78), while Cortes Dequidt shot 164 (79-85).
Willamette is set to host the Spring Trilogy #3 on Saturday, April 2. The 18-hole tournament will be held at the McNary Golf Club in Keizer, Oregon.