Bearcats Hold Lead after First Day of Pacific Fall Invitational in Men's Golf

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

BANKS, Ore. -- Willamette University recorded a team score of 285 to take a 10-stroke lead on the first day of the Pacific Fall Invitational in men's golf at Quail Valley Golf Course on Saturday, Sept. 19. WU freshman Trent Jones (Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) led all golfers with a 3-under-par 68, while teammate Peter Mitzel (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) was tied for second with an even-par 71.

The second round of the tournament will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20 at Quail Valley.

Following Willamette on the team leaderboard was Whitworth University, which carded a score of 295. Linfield College was third at 303 and Whitman College was fourth at 309. Lewis & Clark College held fifth place at 316 and Pacific University was sixth at 339.

Willamette's top four golfers all shot 73 or lower. Jones held a three-stroke advantage at the top of the individual standings, while Mitzel was tied for second with Kelekoilo Moore of Pacific, who also shot 71. Sam Hinton (Fr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) and Clark Wilson (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS), both from Willamette, each shot 73 and held part of a five-way tie for fourth place.

Also tied for fourth place were Jamie Carroll and Lyle Rudnicki from Whitworth and Daniel Hoffman from Whitman. Corey Marineau of Pacific and Oliver Rudnicki of Whitworth were tied for ninth at 74. A total of 34 golfers are competing in the tournament.

The Bearcats are represented by seven golfers. In addition to Jones, Mitzel, Hinton and Wilson, other WU players competing at Quail Valley are Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS), Kenneth Sheldon (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Collin Fuller (Jr./So., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS). On Saturday, Lamothe carded a 78, while Sheldon shot 81 and Fuller shot 82.