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

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University mens golf team will compete against all eight of its Northwest Conference rivals this weekend at the NWC Fall Classic, set for Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26 at the Chehalem Glenn Golf Course. Willamette is the defending champion.

Last year, Willamette won the NWC Fall Classic at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Ore., with a score of 587 (287-300). Pacific Lutheran University was second at 596 (304-292) and University of Puget Sound was third at 606 (304-302). Ryan Kukula (Sr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) of Willamette won medalist honors at 143 (67-76).

Kukula heads the list of Bearcats entered in this year's NWC Fall Classic. He will be joined by Clark Wilson (So., Ocean Park, WA/ Ilwaco HS), Peter Mitzel (So., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS), Steven Rodriguez (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS) and Jonathan Ross (Sr., Tukwila, WA/Foster HS).

This fall, Willamette placed second at the Pacific Fall Opener, held at Quail Valley Golf Course on Sept. 20-21, and took first place at the GFU Culturame Classic, held at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club on Oct. 11-12.

The Pacific Fall Opener was won by Whitworth University with a score of 576 (286-290), as the Pirates edged out Willamette by eight strokes. The Bearcats were second at 584 (293-291). George Fox University placed third with a score of 596 (300-296).

Kukula placed first in the individual standings at the Pacific Fall Opener at 135. He shot a 71 in the first round followed by a career-low round of 64 (6-under par) in the second round. Andrew Dodge and Oliver Rudnicki, both from Whitworth, tied for second at 143, as both golfers shot 71-72. Mitzel tied for fourth with a score of 145 (70-75).

At the GFU Culturame Classic, Willamette won with a score of 602 (297-305). George Fox was second at 605 (298-307) and Pacific Lutheran was third at 608 (300-308).Mitch Baldridge of PLU topped the individual leaderboard at 142, after shooting a 1-under 71 in each round.

Kukula tied for second place with Halen Davis of George Fox at 147. Kukula carded 71-76, while Davis shot 74-73. Wilson was fourth with a 148 (73-75).

The NWC Fall Classic is worth one-fourth of the overall NWC team title. The NWC Spring Classic and the NWC Tournament, both set for next spring, will complete the title chase. The NWC Spring Classic is worth one-fourth of the title, while the NWC Tournament is worth one-half of the title.