Willamette Men's Golf Team among Leaders Entering NWC Spring Classic

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

SALEM, ORE. -- On the strength of a quality showing at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic, the Willamette University men's golf team sits in second place in the NWC standings as the nine conference teams prepare for the NWC Spring Classic, set for Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 at Olympia Country & Golf Club in Olympia, Washington.

Each year, the NWC uses a combination of three tournaments to determine the overall team champion. The NWC Fall Classic is worth one-fourth of the title and the NWC Spring Classic is worth one-fourth. The NWC Tournament, set for April 25-26 this season, counts for one-half of the title.

Willamette took second place at the NWC Fall Classic, which places the Bearcats second in the overall NWC standings. Whitworth University is in the lead after winning the Fall Classic. Pacific Lutheran University placed third at the Fall Classic.

Although Whitworth, Willamette and Pacific Lutheran are the leaders, a lot can change with two tournaments and three-fourths of the championship still to be played.

Whitworth claimed the NWC Fall Classic title with a score of 610 (310-300). Willamette's score was 618 (305-313), while Pacific Lutheran finished one stroke behind the Bearcats at 619 (313-306). Linfield College was fourth at 632 (314-318).

Senior Ryan Kukula (Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) of Willamette tied for second place in the individual standings at the Fall Classic. He carded a 148 (73-75) and tied with Scott Martin of Whitman College who shot 76-72. Drew Groshong of Lewis & Clark College won medalist honors at 147 (72-75).

Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS) shot 74-82 for the Bearcats to tie four other golfers at 156 for a share of 11th place. Peter Mitzel (So., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) was 20th at 159 (78-81) in the field of 43 golfers.

Competing for the Bearcats this weekend will be Kukula, Wilson, Steven Rodriguez (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS), Mitzel and Jonathan Ross (Sr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS). Kukula will tee off on Saturday at 10 a.m., with Wilson starting at 10:10 a.m. Other tee times for Willamette are 10:20 a.m. for Rodriguez, 10:30 a.m. for Mitzel and 10:40 a.m. for Ross.

In Willamette's most recent action, Kukula took 15th place and helped the Bearcats finish eighth in the team standings at the West Cup on March 23-24 in Beaumont, Calif. The prestigious tournament was held at the Tukwet Canyon Champions Course. Kukula experienced great success over the final two rounds of the 54-hole event, as he shot 82-73-72 for a score of 227.

The Bearcats carded team scores of 317, 309 and 310 to finish at 936. Willamette was the top finisher out of five NWC teams competing in the tournament.

On March 14, Willamette tied for second place at the Pioneer Invitational, held at Heron Lakes Golf Course in Portland, Ore. Willamette and Pacific Lutheran each shot 314, while Whitworth won the event with a score of 308.

Kuklula took second in the individual standings at Heron Lakes with a score of 73. Oliver Rudnicki from Whitworth placed first with a 69. Mitchell Baldrige of PLU was third with a 75.