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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University men's golf team was in fourth place after the first day of the Willamette Invitational on Saturday, April 14 at Illahe Hills Country Club.

Linfield College led the team standings at 300. George Fox University was second at 315, with the Linfield "B" team in third at 329 and Willamette University in fourth at 333.

Alex Fitch from Linfield topped the individual standings with a 3-under-par 69. He carded a 36 on the front nine, followed by a 33 on the back nine that included three birdies and six pars. Fitch ended the round with a five-stroke lead.

Taylor Klopp, also from Linfield, was in second place at 74 and Mike Ulstad from George Fox was in third place at 76. Three golfers were tied for fourth place with a 78. The tie included A.J. Taylor of Linfield, Kyle Wilson from George Fox and Taylor Pirnke from the Linfield "B" team. Tommy Schmitz of Linfield was seventh with a 79.

Ryan Kukula (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) from Willamette was tied for eighth place with three other golfers who shot an 80 in the first round. Also tied for eighth were Chris Lumsden of GFU, Connor Magnuson of Linfield and Dillon Alegre on the Linfield "B" team.

Willamette's Jonathan Ross (Fr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) was 13th with an 82, while Cody Plofker (Fr., Montclair, NJ/Montclair HS) of WU held 14th place at 83. Also competing for Willamette were Jeffrey Lewis (Eugene, OR/Sheldon HS), who carded an 88, and Cole Altuzarra (So., Laguna Niguel, CA/Dana Hills HS), who shot 94.

The tournament will conclude on Sunday, April 15 with the second round. Men's tee times will start at 1:48 p.m.