By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
PENDLETON, Ore. -- Trent Jones (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) of Willamette University shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead the Willamette Spring Thaw by one stroke over four golfers in second place, as the first round concluded at Wildhorse Golf Course. Led by Jones, the Bearcats were second in the team standings with a score of 5-under-par 283. The tournament will conclude with the second round on Saturday, April 20, starting at 9:30 a.m. (PDT) with the first foursome hitting the course. Tee times will continue until 10:40 a.m., with all golfers starting on the first tee.
Jones led the way with his 68 on a day where 13 of the 36 golfers shot below par. The four-way tie for second at 69 included Sam Stiles and Preston Roth from Whitworth University, plus Isaac Calderon and Marcus Frazier from Corban University.
four other golfers were tied for sixth place at 2-under-par 70. They were Austin Davis (Fr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) of Willamette, Derrick Phelps and Caleb Belton from Whitworth, and Clayton Rajewich from George Fox University.
Four more golfer shared 10th place with 71s. The tie involved Sam Hinton (Sr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS) from Willamette, plus Mason Koch from GFU, and Elijah Pittser and Triston Hartfiel from Whitworth. Jackson Hval of Linfield held 14th place with an even-par 72.
Whitworth topped the team standings with a score of 9-under-par 279. The Bearcats were second at 283. Corban's "B" team was third at 287 and Whitworth's "B" team was fourth at 291. Linfield followed in fifth place at 297 and George Fox was sixth at 302. Corban's "C" team rounded out the competitive day with a score of 319.
Joining Jones, Davis and Hinton on Willamette's team were Kenneth Sheldon (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Andrew Kibbee (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS). Sheldon carded a score of 74, while Kibbee finished the round with a 75.
Big Moment of the Day for Willamette
Trent Jones shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead the tournament
after 18 holes. He also helped Willamette shoot 5-under-par
as a team. The Bearcats' score of 283 was only four strokes
out of the lead. All five Bearcats shot 75 or lower, with a total
of three Willamette players under par, including Austin Davis
at 2-under 70 and Sam Hinton at 1-under 71.