Kukula Named NWC Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Ryan Kukula (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) of Willamette University has been chosen Northwest Conference Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in leading the Bearcats to a first place finish at the Pacific Fall Invitational on Sept. 21-22 at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Ore.

Kukula carded a 36-hole total of 144 to take second place in the final standings. He shot a 2-under-par 70 in the first round and a 74 in the second round. His 70 was the second lowest score of the tournament, trailing only eventual champion Jared Lambert of Corban University, who shot a 68 in the first round.

During the second round, Kukula matched Lambert with a 74, as both golfers tied for the third best score of the day.

Kukula's performance helped the Bearcats win the team championship with a score of 599 (295-304. Willamette won by 12 stroke over Linfield College, which took second place at 611 (295-316). The Bearcats and Linfield were tied for the lead at the end of the first round. Ten teams competes in the tournament.

During the 2012-13 season, Kukula was named to the All-West Region Team by PING and was chosen as the Northwest Conference Player of the Year. He won the NWC Fall Classic and the NWC Spring Classic before finishing second at the NWC Championship Tournament.

He took first place at the Pacific Spring Invitational in March and was fifth in the Pacific Fall Invitational last September.

The Willamette men's golf team will compete at the Culturame Men's Classic this weekend at The Reserve. George Fox University will be hosting the tournament, which begins on Saturday, Sept. 28 and concludes on Sunday, Sept. 29.