Willamette Women's Golf Team Places Third at GFU Spring Kickoff

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

WOODBURN, ORE. -- The Willamette University women's golf team achieved third place at the GFU Spring Kickoff, as the Bearcats finished just one stroke out of second place at the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) Golf Course on Saturday, March 1. The tournament, hosted by George Fox University, was originally scheduled for two days, but Sunday's second round was canceled due to the weather.

George Fox University won the team title with a score of 331. The Bruins achieved a 25-stroke advantage over Concordia University (Ore.), which took second place at 356.

Willamette's score in third place was 357. Lewis & Clark College finished fourth at 373 and Pacific University was fifth at 459. Oregon State University entered four golfers who competed as individuals, but the Beavers did not earn a team score.

The Bearcats were led by Taneesh Sra (So., Fremont, CA/Mission San Jose HS) and LettaJoe Gallup (Jr., Alameda, CA/Holy Names HS) who both carded an 86 to earn part of a four-way tie for 12th place. Mckenzie Weinhold (Jr., Placerville, CA/El Dorado HS/Univ. of Nevada-Reno) of Willamette shot an 86 and placed 17th.

Also competing for Willamette were Jessi Weaver (Fr., Lincoln City, OR/Taft HS) and Elise Levy (So., Reno, NV/Bishop Manogue HS). Weaver concluded the round at 97, while Levy completed the course at 100.

First place in the individual standings went to Jesse Hamilton of Oregon State, who shot a 5-over-par 78. Sydney Maluenda of George Fox and Krissy Peterson from OSU tied for second place, as each golfer carded an 80. Three competitors -- Lauren Fischer of OSU, along with Melissa Nugent and Hailey Ostrom from GFU -- tied for fourth place at 82.

With the second day canceled, Willamette's next scheduled event is the UC-Santa Cruz Invitational, set for March 29-30. The tournament will be held at the Pacific Grove Golf Links in Pacific Grove, Calif.