By Timothy Walsh, Athletics Communications Writer
DUPONT, Wash. -- Led by Trent Jones (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS), who shot a 2-under-par 70, Willamette University was in sole possession of first place after the first day of the PLU Invitational, hosted by Pacific Lutheran University at The Home Course on Saturday, Sept. 26.
In addition to Jones, who tied with Lewis & Clark College's Drew Groshong for the top score, Bearcat golfers also tied for third and fifth place in the 62-player field.
Kenneth Sheldon (Fr., Ocean Park, Washington/Ilwaco HS) and Kyle Drugge of Pacific Lutheran ended the day tied for third, one stroke back of Jones. In addition, Willamette teammates Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) and Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) finished the round tied for fifth after shooting an even-par 72.
Caleb An of George Fox University also shot 72 on the day, with Zach Martinson (PLU "B"), Zach Mode (GFU), and Brandon Sutton (GFU) all shooting a 1-over 73 to round out the top ten individual scores.
Three other golfers represented the Bearcats in the tournament. Peter Mitzel (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) and Steven Rodriguez (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) tied for 24th place with a 5-over 77, while Collin Fuller (Jr./So., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS) shot a 79 and Sam Hinton (Fr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) carded an 81.
Rodriguez, Fuller, and Sheldon competed as individuals, and did not contribute to Willamette's team score. Nevertheless, Jones, Lamothe, Wilson, Mitzel, and Hinton combined to put the Bearcats atop the leaderboard with a score of 291.
Just behind Willamette was George Fox, which finished one stroke back at 292. Pacific Lutheran was third with a score of 298, Linfield College carded a 303 for fourth place, and Lewis & Clark College was fifth at 307.
Whitworth University held sixth place at 309, while PLU "B" scored a 312. The University of Puget Sound, Whitman College, and Pacific University rounded out the 10-team field with scores of 313, 344, and 373, respectively.
The second and final round of the tournament will take place Sunday, Sept. 27 at The Home Course. Golfers will begin teeing off at approximately 8:00 a.m. (PDT).
