Men's Golf leads after day one of NWC Fall Classic, Smith shoots 5-under par

Woodburn, OR - Men's Golf had every member of the team shoot under par in the opening round of the NWC Fall Classic and is tied for the overall lead with a team score of 277.  Oliver Smith led the way for Willamette with a 5-under 67, followed closely by teammate Brock Olson at a 4-under 68.

The Bearcats were in the second group of teams to tee off and were chasing co-leader Whitman College throughout the first day.  Six bogeys for the group through the first four holes, including a triple and a quadruple-bogey set Willamette back at the start, but a series of birdies through the middle of the front nine moved the Bearcats close to even par.  Then, eagles on hole #9 by Smith, Olson, and Jack Carr set Willamette up for a strong back-nine.

Smith, Olson, Carr, and Lucas Paul all had three birdies on the back nine through the 17th-hole and it was birdies on 18 by Smith and Olson that brought Willamette to -11 and in a tie with Whitman.

Smith shares the overall lead with Thurman Fletcher from George Fox University.  Olson is tied for 3rd place after day one with Eshan Singh from Whitman College.  Paul, Carr, and Alexander Papajohn are all tied for 12th after each carded a 1-under 71.  

Round two at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn is set for a shotgun start at 9:00 am on Monday, October 14th.  Willamette will be partnered with Whitman College and Linfield University for the final round.