Papajohn Shoots 72, Bearcats in Tie for 8th at Div III Golf Championship

Penfield, New York - Alexander Papajohn shot an even-par 72 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship to lead Willamette, followed closely by Jack Carr and Brock Olson, who each shot 74.  The Bearcats registered a team score of 298 on day one and sit in a tie for eighth place.

Papajohn made the turn at one-under par after birdies on holes #7 and #8, joining Olson with a 35 on the front nine.  After bogeys on three of his first five holes on the back nine, Papajohn rebounded with birdies on two of his final four holes to end at even par.  Olson got as low as 3-under after an eagle on hole #10, but ended the round at 2-over to tie with Carr.  

Oliver Smith had an up-and-down round for the Bearcats and finished with a 78 as the final round added to the team score.  Lucas Paul had a rough start to the round with five bogeys in his first six holes, but played the final twelve holes at only three-over to finish with an 80.

Willamette played the Midvale Country Club course today and will move to Cobblestone Creek Country Club for the second round on Wednesday morning.  Due to approaching storms, the second round will have a shotgun start at 8:05 a.m. EDT/5:05 a.m. PDT.  The field is cut down to 18 teams after the end of the second round, with the two final rounds scheduled back at Midvale Country Club.