Bearcats Win Ohana Classic against Whitworth and Hawaii Pacific

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

KANEOHE, HAWAII -- Willamette University won the team championship at the Ohana Classic in women's golf against Whitworth University and Hawaii Pacific University at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on Tuesday, March 26.

The Bearcats registered a team score of 325 over the 18 holes to win by six strokes. Whitworth took second place with score of 331. Hawaii Pacific finished third at 343.

Whitworth senior Emily Guthrie earned medalist honors, as she carded a 77 for the low round of the day. Three Willamette golfers -- Taneesh Kaur Sra (Fr., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS), Elise Levy (Fr., Reno, NV/Bishop Monague HS) and Mckenzie Weinhold (So., Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) -- tied for second place at 79.

Guthrie shot 36-41 to win the tournament. She held a two stroke lead over Kailee Kuehn from Hawaii Pacific and a three-stroke lead over Levy of Willamette after nine holes.

Levy earned her share of second place by registering 39-40, while Sra and Weinhold each carded 40-39 to gain part of the tie. The 39 by Sra and Weinhold led all golfers on the back nine.

Kuehn finished with a 44 over the final nine holes to finish at 82 and tie for fifth place with Yvonne LaCoursierre of Whitworth and Susanna Sarkki of Hawaii Pacific. LaCoursierre achieve 42-40 for her scores, while Sarkki shot 41-41.

All five Willamette golfers shot under 90 for the day. In addition to the three 79s, the Bearcats also received a pair of 88s from LettaJoe Gallup (So., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS) and Mele Ana Kastner (So., Vancouver, WA/Columbia River HS). Gallup recorded 45-43, while Kastner achieved 46-42.

The tournament was shortened from two days to one day. The teams will compete in a separate match play event on Wednesday, March 27 at the Ko'olau Golf Club in Kaneohe.