Bearcats Shoot 312 in Second Round, Finish Sixth at PLU Invitational

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

UNIVERSITY PLACE. WASH. -- Willamette University finished in sixth place out of 11 men's golf teams at the 36-hole PLU Invitational, which concluded on Monday, Oct. 15 at Chambers Bay Golf Course. The Bearcats achieved an overall score of 638 after shooting 326 in the first round and improving to 312 during the second round.

All five of WU's shot 82 or lower in the second round. Three of Willamette's scores on Monday were in the 70s.

"It was great to see the team bounce back in the second round," said WU Head Coach Noah Horstman. "It also was great to see that the highest score was an 82. The team is looking good going into the NWC Fall Classic in two weeks."

Pacific Lutheran won the team title with an overall score of 595 (304-291). The Lutes had the low team round of the tournament on Monday, when they carded a 291.

The University of Puget Sound finished 13 shots off the lead, as the Loggers took second place at 608 (305-303). Whitman College (310-314) and Whitworth University (313-311) tied for third place at 624. Linfield College was fifth at 626 (327-299). Willamette was sixth at 638 and Pacific Lutheran's "B" team was seventh at 653 (327-326).

George Fox University placed eighth at 657 (326-331), Trinity Lutheran College was ninth at 680 (350-330), Pacific University placed 10th at 705 (346-359) and Lewis & Clark College was 11th at 706 (367-339). The Pioneers improved by 28 strokes in the second round to almost catch Pacific, cutting 20 points off the Boxers' 21-point cushion following the first round.

Adam Bean from Puget Sound won medalist honors at 143 (73-70). His 70 in the second round was second lowest individual round of the tournament. Dustin Hegge from Pacific Lutheran was second at 147 (74-73), while Auston Hilkin (74-75) of PLU and Oliver Rudnicki (74-75) from Whitworth tied for third place. Taylor Klopp from Linfield was fifth at 150 (78-72).

A total of 53 golfers completed the 36 holes.

Willamette's top finisher was Ryan Kukula (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS). He shot a 36-hole total of 157 (77-80) to tie for 16th place. Jeffrey Lewis (So., Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS) of Willamette tied for 23rd place at 159 (80-79). Cody Plofker (So., Montclair, NJ/Montclair HS) shot 160 for the Bearcats with an 83 in the first round and a 77 in the second round.

Also competing for Willamette were Steven Rodriguez (Fr.) and Jacob Simonson (Jr., Fairview, OR/Reynolds HS). Rodriguez carded a total of 165. He shot an 89 on Sunday, before improving by 13 strokes on Monday for a team-leading 76. Simonson shot 168 overall (86-82).

The Bearcats will close out the fall season at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic on Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Tri-Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield, Wash.