By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

BANKS, ORE. -- Willamette University opened the spring season for men's golf with a dual match against Northwest Conference rival Pacific University at Quail Valley Golf Club on Saturday, Feb. 20. Pacific won the meet with a team score of 302, while Willamette finished with a score of 335.

Max Bonk, the two-time defending Northwest Conference champion, led all golfers with a 3-under-par 69 on the 6,318-yard course. Robbie Beard (Sr., Yankton, SD/Yankton HS) of Willamette and Ben Wright of Pacific tied for second place at 76. Willamette's Shane Adversalo (Sr., Honolulu, HI/University Laboratory School) finished fourth at 77. A total of six golfers registered sub-80 scores during the round.

Completing the team score for the Bearcats were Alexander Bennett (Sr., Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) and Sam Church (So., San Carlos, CA/Sequoia HS). Bennett carded an 88 and Church recorded a 94.

Pacific's team score included Bonk, Wright, Eddie Stewart and Parrish Evans. Stewart earned a 78 and Evans contributed a 79.

The Bearcats and the Boxers will compete with other area teams at the Pacific Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. Tee time is set for 8:30 a.m. (PST).