Kukula Ties for Fifth at Boxer Classic, Helping Bearcats Take Fourth

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

BANKS, ORE. -- Ryan Kukula (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) from Willamette University tied for the low score of the second round with a 72, as the Boxer Classic concluded on Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Quail Valley Golf Course. Kukula finished in a tie for fifth place overall with a 36-hole score of 150.

Led by Kukula's efforts, the Bearcats shot 308 as a team in the second round and took fourth place in the final standings.

Corban University won the team title in a two-hole playoff against Linfield College, after both teams finished with a two-day score of 599. Corban shot 299-300, while Linfield carded 301-298.

The teams began the playoff with five golfers per team at the ninth hole. The top four scores counted for each team, with both squads earning three birdies and a par. The playoff shifted to the 10th hole with two golfers competing for each team. Corban registered two pars, while Linfield achieved a par and a bogie, as the Warriors won the playoff by one stroke.

Whitman College was third at 609 (305-304), with Willamette in fourth at 633 (325-308). Pacific University was fifth with a score of 681 (341-340) and Lewis & Clark College took sixth at 699 (357-342).

Taylor Klopp of Linfield was the individual champion. He shot a 36-hole total of 1-under-par 143, with a 71 in the first round and a 72 in the second. Evan Dyer from Whtiman was second at 146 with consecutive 73s. Jared Lambert and Zach Mode, both from Corban, tied for third place at 148. Lambert shot 70-78, while Mode shot 74-74.

Kukula (78-72) and Ryan Nolan of Linfield (75-75) each carded 150 to tie for fifth place. Geoff Burks from Whitman (74-77) and Joey Ziogas of Corban (78-71) tied for seventh at 151.

Willamette teammate Cody Plofker (So., Montclair, NJ/Montclair HS) joined Kukula with two rounds in the 70s. Plofker shot 79-76 to finish in a tie for 14th place at 155.

Also competing for Willamette were Jeffrey Lewis (So., Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS), Jonathan Ross (Jr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) and Stephan Minh Bartz (Fr.). Lewis shot 164 (79-85), while Ross finished at 167 (89-78). Minh Bartz registered a score only in the second round, as he achieved an 82.

The Bearcats will participate in the Whitman Invitational on Sunday, Sept. 30 and Monday, Oct. 1 at Wine Valley Golf Course in Walla Walla, Wash. Action will get underway on Sunday at 11 a.m. (PDT).