By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University senior Chase Lamothe (Corvallis, OR/Corvallis HS) has been named Northwest Conference Men's Golfer Student-Athlete of the Week for the third time this season. He previously received the honor on Feb. 29 and March 14.

This past weekend, Lamothe won the individual title and helped Willamette earn the team championship at the NWC Spring Classic, held on April 9-10 at the Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington.

He carded a 36-hole score of 140 to tie Mitchell Baldridge of Pacific Lutheran University for first place. Lamothe then claimed the championship with a birdie on the first playoff hole. He shot a 71 in the first round and a 69 in the second round.

Lamothe's efforts helped Willamette achieve a team score of 579 to win the team title by one stroke over Whitworth University. Willamette shot even-par 288 on the first day, followed by 291 in the second round.

The Bearcats and Whitworth are tied for first place with 15 points in the battle to win the NWC Championship. Whitworth won the NWC Fall Classic, while Willamette took second place. Pacific Lutheran University is third with 12 points after placing third at the NWC Fall Classic and the NWC Spring Classic.

In men's golf, the NWC uses three tournaments to determine the overall team champion. The three events are the NWC Fall Classic, NWC Spring Classic and NWC Tournament. This year's NWC Tournamnt is set for April 23-24 at Crosswater Club in Sunriver, Oregon.

The winning team at the NWC Tournament will receive 16 points, with the remaining teams earning points on a 14-12-10-8, etc. basis. If the Bearcats or the Pirates take first place at the NWC Tournament, that team will win the title.