By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- After winning all four tournaments it entered this fall, the Willamette University men's golf team is listed seventh on the Golfstat Relative Rankings for NCAA Division III released earlier this week. The Relative Rankings compare the adjusted scoring average, adjusted drop score, comparative record, strength of schedule and event wins to determine where each team is ranked.

The #1 team in the rankings is University of Texas-Tyler. Huntingdon College (Ala.) is #2 and Illinois Wesleyan University is #3. Emory University (Ga.) holds the #4 ranking, with University of St. Thomas (Minn.) at #5, Methodist University (N.C.) at #5, Willamette at #7 and Calvin College (Mich.) at #8. Concordia University (Texas) holds the #9 ranking and Hope College (Mich.) is #10.

"What is there to say, but wow," said Head Coach Patrick Daugherty. "We are excited that the tremendous fall season these guys put together is being recognized on such a large scale. The team works so hard every day at practice and at workouts and in class.  I think we must enjoy it, but stay focused on the overall goal, and right now that is a conference championship."

Willamette won the 2017 Collegiate Open on Sept. 17-18 at The Home Course in Dupont, Washington, to start the fall season. The Bearcats added a victory at the Whitworth Invitational at Kalispel Golf and Country Club in Spokane, Washington, on Oct. 1-2, and then took first place at the GFU Men's Invitational, held at the Gearhart Golf Club in Geerhart, Oregon, on Oct. 7-8.

The Bearcats completed the fall season by winning the 2017 Northwest Conference Fall Classic at Quail Valley Golf Course in Banks, Oregon, on Oct. 14-15. The NWC Fall Classic is one of three tournaments used to determine the overall NWC champion and is work one-fourth of the overall title. As a result, Willamette has the early lead in the race for the NWC team title.

Golfers for the Bearcats have won three individual titles this fall. Sam Hinton (Jr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) took first place at back-to-back events, winning the Whitworth Invitational at 3-under-par 141 (71-70) and the GFU Men's Invitational at even-par 144 (73-71). Trent Jones (Jr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) won the NWC Fall Classic on the first hole of a tie-breaker with one other player after carding a 6-under-par 136 (66-70).

Golfstat Relative Rankings (Choose DIII)