By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
SALEM, Ore. -- After receiving votes in the Bushnell Golfweek Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III during most of the spring season, the Willamette University men's golf team has moved into the Top 25 and is now ranked #21 in the nation. The most recent poll was releases on Friday, April 22.
Methodist College (N.C.) remained #1 with 393 points and 11 first place votes. Methodist has been ranked #1 throughout the year. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) moved up one spot to #2 in the poll and received 362 points and one first place vote. Oglethorpe University (Ga.) slipped one position to #3 with 354 points.
Concordia University (Texas) made a big leap from #10 all the way to #4 with 330 points. Berry College (Ga.) held firm at #5 and garnered 323 points. University of St. Thomas (Minn.) dropped two spots to #6, but still received four first place votes and 320 points.
NWC opponent Whitworth University was not ranked in the Top 25, but was listed among other teams receiving votes with seven points.
This past weekend, Willamette won the individual and team titles at the Willamette Spring Thaw on April 16-17 at the Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend, Oregon. The Bearcats shot 581 overall, with a 291 on the first day and 290 in the second round. Freshman Trent Jones (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) carded a 36-hole total of 8-under-par 136 (67-69) to win the individual championship by nine strokes.
Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) and Peter Mitzel (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS) both shot 74-73--147 to join a three-way tie for fourth place. Steven Rodriguez (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) and Clark Wilson (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) each shot 149 to tie with two golfers for 12th place. Rodriguez shot 76-76, while Wilson carded 77-75.
This weekend, the Bearcats will compete at the Northwest Conference Tournament at Crosswater Golf Course in Sunriver, Oregon. The 36-hole event will include 18 holes on Saturday, April 23, followed by 18 holes on Sunday, April 24.
Willamette, Whitworth and Pacific Lutheran University are contenders for the overall NWC championship, which also includes the NWC's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
The NWC Tournament counts for one-half of the points awarded for the conference title. Willamette and Whitworth enter the weekend tied for first place with 15 points, while PLU is third with 12 points. Points will be awarded on a 16-14-12-10, etc. basis at the NWC Tournament.
