Lewis is Third after 18 Holes at Willamette Invitational in Men's Golf

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University men's golfer Jeffrey Lewis (So., Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS) finished the first day of the Willamette Invitational in third place, as he earned a 77 at the Illahe Hills Country Club on Saturday, March 2.

Linfield ended the opening round at the top of the team standings with a score of 316. Willamette was in second place, just six strokes behind the Wildcats at 322. Pacific University was third at 332.

Oregon State University golfer Scott Kim led the individual leaderboard with 1-under-par 71. Josh Mau from Pacific was second after carding a 75. Lewis's 77 was one stroke better than Tommy Schmitz and A.J. Taylor, both from Linfield, as they each shot 78.

In addition to Lewis, other Willamette golfers who contributed to the team score were Ryan Kukula (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS), Steven Rodriguez (Fr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) and Stephan Bartz (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University HS).

Kukula carded an 80 and ended the round tied for sixth place. Also tied for sixth were Kyle Hargrave of Linfield and Adrian Koza of Linfield.

Rodriguez finished the round with a score of 82. Evan Fleming (Fr., Park City, UT/Park City HS) of Willamette, competing as an individual, also shot an 82. Bartz registered a score of 83.

Other Willamette golfers were Collin Fuller (Fr., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS), who carded an 88, and Cole Altuzarra (Jr., Laguna Niguel, CA/Dana Hills HS), who competed as an individual and recorded a score of 90.

The Willamette Invitational will conclude with the final 18 holes on Sunday, March 3. Action will get underway at about 12:30 p.m. (PST).