By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Willamette University golfers recorded a score of 297 on the first day of the Willamette Cup to take a 15-stroke lead in the team standings at Michelbook Country Club on Saturday, Feb. 27. Chase Lamothe (Sr., Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) of Willamette was the individual leader after shooting a 2-under-par 70.
The Bearcats were followed in the team standings by Linfield College, which shot 312. Corban University was third at 313, with George Fox University in fourth at 315. Linfeld's "B" team was fifth at 323, with Lewis & Clark College in sixth at 328. Pacific University was seventh at 363.
Willamette was best able to deal with the course, which was still soft from rain on Friday. The ball frequently stopped on contact despite dry weather during Saturday's round.
Action in the second round of the tournament will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course in Newberg, Oregon. Linfield and George Fox are co-hosting the meet.
Lamothe was the only player under par in the first round. He held a two-stroke lead over Willamette teammate Trent Jones (Fr., Kenmore, WA/Shorecrest HS) and Aaron Seabrook of Corban, who were tied for second place at even-par 72. Drew Groshong of Lewis & Clark was fourth with a 73. Alex Plusquellec from GFU was fifth after carding a 74.
Collin Fuller (Jr./So., Grants Pass, OR/Grants Pass HS), one of four Willamette golfers competing only as individuals, was tied with three other athletes for sixth place with a 75. Also tied for sixth were Logan Davis of Linfield and Lucas Balala from the Linfield "B" team.
In addition to Lamothe and Jones, other Willamette golfers included in the team entry were Steven Rodriguez (Sr., Red Bluff, CA/Mercy HS), Clark Wilson (Jr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Sam Hinton (Fr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS). Rodriguez was in 10th place with a 77, while Wilson was tied for 11th at 78. Hinton carded an 80.
Joining Fuller as individual competitors for the Bearcats were Peter Mitzel (Jr., Red Bluff, CA/Red Bluff HS), Kenneth Sheldon (Fr., Ocean Park, WA/Ilwaco HS) and Shane Fritter (Fr., Seaside, OR/Seaside HS). Mitzel was in ninth place with a 76. Sheldon shot an 81 and Fritter carded an 85.
