By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
BANKS, Ore. -- Austin Davis (Jr., Culver City, CA/Culver City HS) of Willamette University won medalist honors with a 36-hole score of 1-under par 143, as the Pacific Invitational in men's golf concluded at Quail Valley Golf Course on Sunday, March 14. The Bearcats earned the team title by 23 strokes after recording their second consecutive round of 300.
Davis, who led by two strokes after shooting a 1-under par 71 in the first round, maintained his lead with an even par 72 on Sunday. He won by two strokes.
"I did my homework and stuck to the game plan," Davis said.
"He's such a steady player. He just doesn't make very many mistakes and he has matured into a very good competitor," Willamette Head Men's Golf Coach Patrick Daugherty commented.
Mason Koch of George Fox University carded an overall score of 145 (73-72) to place second. Andrew Kibbee (Jr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) of Willamette tied for third with Matthew Zaback of Pacific University at 149. Kibbee shot 77 in the first round and 72 in the second round. Zaback shot a 78 followed by a 71.
Two golfers, Jack McMullin (Fy., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) of WU and Joshua Lackey of GFU, tied for fifth place. Each shot 152, with McMullin carding 74-78 and Lackey shooting 75-77. Tobin Arden of Linfield University finished in seventh place at 153 (77-76).
In addition to Davis, Kibbee, and McMullin, Willamette's five-man team included Aunders Erickson (Grad., Portland, OR/Westview HS/Ohio Wesleyan Univ.) and Riley Lankford (So./Fy., Pilot Rock, OR/Pilot Rock HS). Erickson shot 157 (79-78) to share a four-way tied for 10th. Lankford placed 16th at 161 (78-83).
Alex Weirth (So., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) of the Bearcats joined Erickson in the tie for 10th at 157. Weirth, who competed as an individual, shot 79-78. Also competing individually for the Bearcats were Andrew Raymond (Jr./Fy., Napa, CA/Napa HS), who finished at 166 (81-85), Carlos Cortes Dequidt (So., San Diego, CA/Torrey Pines HS), and Reese Hamilton (Fy., Lopez Island, WA/Lopez Middle HS).
Willamette's winning team score was 600 (300-300). George Fox achieved second place at 623 (315-308) and Linfield was third at 628 (314-314). Whitman College placed fourth at 639 (323-316). Pacific University was fifth at 651 (327-324), with Lewis & Clark College in sixth place at 719 (368-351).
"Overall, it was a good start to the season," Daugherty said. "While we are really happy with the win, we think there's lots of room to grow, and we need to figure out how to do that in a shortened season. It's going to be fun.
"I really enjoyed coaching all the guys, and those who played as individuals got some great tournament experience," Daugherty noted.
The Bearcats will compete at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28. The tournament, which was moved to the spring due to COVID-19, is scheduled to be played at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Oregon.
