By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Sam Hinton (Sr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) of Willamette University has been selected as the Northwest Conference Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Week after winning the individual title and leading the Bearcats to the team championship at the Willamette Valley Cup on March 16-17. Hinton led the field at Creekside Golf Club in Salem with a 36-hole score of 6-under-par 138, while Willamette topped the team standings with a score of 3-under-par 573.
Hinton shot a 2-under-par 70 in the first round and carded a 4-under-par 68 in the second round. His second round included two eagles, two birdies and only two bogeys.
He began the second round on the back nine and registered an eagle on the 10th hole, as he reached the green with his tee shot and sank the ball with his second shot on the par-4 hole. Later, he earned his second eagle by shooting a score of three on the par-5 fourth hole. His birdies were recorded on par-5s at the 13th and 16th holes.
On their way to the team title, the Bearcats shot 288 in the first round and 285 in the second round to win by 28 strokes. Hinton's score of 138 led the way, but all of Willamette's golfers shot well.
Austin Davis (Fr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) finished in second place at 2-under-par 142 (72-70). Kenneth Sheldon (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) took fourth place at 147 (73-74). Trent Jones (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) placed fifth at 148 (75-73), and Andrew Kibbee (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) tied for eighth at 153 (73-80).
The Bearcats will return to action on March 25-26 at the prestigious West Cup in La Verne, California. The tournament will be held at the Sierra La Verne Country Club.