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

BEAUMONT, CALIF. -- The Willamette University men's golf team is tied for ninth place after the first round of the West Cup on Monday, March 23 at the Tukwet Canyon Champions Course. University of La Verne (Calif.) leads the field at the prestigious event, which included nine nationally ranked NCAA Division III teams.

La Verne, ranked 21st, carded a team score of 5-over-par 293 to top the standings. University of Redlands (Calif.), ranked #4, was second, three strokes off the pace at 296. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.), ranked #11, held third place at 304.

Willamette, ranked #36, was tied with Trinity University, ranked #17, in ninth place at 317. The Bearcats were the top team from the Northwest Conference during Monday's action. Linfield College was 11th at 321, while George Fox University was 14th at 335 and Whitman College was 15th at 341.

Bobby Holden from Redlands led the individual leaderboard with a 5-under-par 67. He held a four-stroke lead over two La Verne golfers, Kelby Scharmann and Alec Spencer, each with a 1-under-par 71. John McCord of Redlands held fourth place with a 72, while Alex Hird from California Lutheran University was fifth at 73.

Garrett Harrison of Huntingdon College (Ala.) was sixth after carding a 74. Seven golfers were tied for seventh at 75.

Jonathan Ross (Sr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS) registered Willamette's low score of the day and was one of six athletes tied for 21st with a 77. Peter Mitzel (So., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS)- and Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS) each shot a 79 and were tied for 34th.

Ryan Kukula (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) finished the round with an 82. Steven Rodriguez (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) earned an 88.

The second round also was played on Monday. The West Cup will conclude with the third round on Tuesday, March 24.