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

WALLA WALLA, WASH. -- Willamette University finished the Whitman Men's Golf Invitational in eighth place on Sunday, Oct. 17 at the Wine Valley Country Club. Whitworth University won the team title by one stroke, as the Pirates recorded a two-day score of 591 to hold off Linfield College, which ended the tournament at 592.

The medalist of the event was Yutaro Sakamoto of Linfield, who used his 3-under-par 67 on Saturday enabled him to open the second round with a two-stroke lead. On Sunday, Sakamoto added an even-par 72. He concluded the weekend with an overall score of 139 to win by four strokes.

Alex Fitch, also from Linfield, took second place at 143 (72-71). Whitworth golfers Christian Boudreau and Corey Meyers tied for third place at 145. Boudreau, who started the day in second place at 69, added a 76 on Sunday. Meyers shot 71 in the first round and 74 in the second round. Max Bonk of Pacific University placed fifth at 146 (74-72).

Willamette's top finisher was Dylan Johnson (Fr., Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale HS). Johnson carded a two-day total of 165 (81-84) to tie for 36th.

Two WU athletes tied for 39th at 169. Connor Boyd (Fr., Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) shot 83-86 and Jacob Simonson (Fr., Fairview, OR/Reynolds HS) registered 84-85.

Whitworth's 591 and Linfield's 592 were the only team scores below 600 for the tournament. Pacific Lutheran University was third with a score of 601 (305-296). Pacific placed fourth with a score of 608 (313-295). Whitman College was fifth at 618 (305-313), while the University of Puget Sound finished sixth at 630 (322-308). George Fox University placed seventh at 646 (318-328) and Willamette was eighth at 672 (334-338).

The Bearcats will play their next competitive rounds at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic in Redmond, Ore., on Saturday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24. The tournament will be held at the Juniper Golf Course.