By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University Head Men's Golf Coach Patrick Daugherty has been selected as a finalist for the 2022 Dave Williams Award as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and presented by Gold Pride Grips. Daugherty is one of five finalists for the award, which honors the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year.
Daugherty was joined on the list of finalists by Steve Conley of Methodist University (N.C.) Jordan Cox from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), Jeff Page from Babson College (Mass.), and Grant Wallace of Kenyon College (Ohio).
During the 2021-22 season, Daugherty led the Bearcats to their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Golf Championship where Willamette tied for 19th place at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. WU tied for 11th place in 2021 and placed 13th in 2019. No NCAA Championship was held in 2020.
The Bearcats also won their third consecutive Northwest Conference Championship this season by taking first place at the NWC Fall Classic, second place at the NWC Spring Classic, and first place at the NWC Tournament. Willamette prevailed at the NWC Tournament with a 36-hole score of even-par 576 (292-284), as the Bearcats won the event by 32 strokes. The Bearcats earned first place at seven tournaments during the season.
Daugherty was named NWC Men's Golf Coach of the Year this spring for the third time. He also was chosen NWC Coach of the Year in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Daugherty recently completed his ninth season as the head coach of men's and women's golf at Willamette. Prior to being named head coach of the golf teams in 2013-14, he served as Willamette's assistant men's and women's golf coach for three seasons.
This year, Austin Davis (Sr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) was chosen NCAA Division III PING First Team All-America, was selected for the NCAA Division III PING All-West Region Team, earned NWC Men's Golf Player of the Year recognition, and was named First Team All-NWC. Andrew Kibbee (Sr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) and Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) also received First Team All-NWC and All-West Region honors, while Paxton Jones (Fy., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) was named Second Team All-NWC.
Tournaments Won by Willamette Men's Golf in 2021-22
Linfield Fall Invitational, 36 holes, 581 (+5), Won by 31 strokes
George Fox Invitational, 36 holes, 563 (-13), Won by 7 strokes
NWC Fall Classic, 36 holes, 558 (-18), Won by 9 strokes
Spring Trilogy #1, 18 holes, 285 (-3), Won by 14 strokes
West Region Showdown, 36 holes, 595 (+19), Won by 28 strokes
Spring Trilogy #3, 18 holes, 296 (+16), Won by 32 strokes
NWC Tournament, 18 holes, 576 (Even), Won by 32 Strokes
Individual Titles Won by Willamette Men's Golfers in 2021-22
Linfield Fall Invitational, Austin Davis, 36 holes, 143 (-1)
NWC Fall Classic, Austin Davis, 36 holes, 137 (-7), won on 1st playoff hole
Spring Trilogy #1, Paxton Jones, 18 holes, 69 (-3)
West Region Showdown, Austin Davis, 36 holes, 147 (+3)
Spring Trilogy #3, Austin Davis, 18 holes, 69 (-1)
NWC Tournament, Austin Davis, 36 holes, 142 (-2)