By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

REDLANDS, Calif. -- The Willamette University men's golf team held first place by five strokes at the end of the first two rounds of the Bulldog Fall Invitational on Monday, Sept. 19 at the Redlands Country Club. The Bearcats earned a team score of even-par 560 (283-277) on the par 70 course. The final round will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

WU golfer Alex Weirth (Sr., Port Orchard, WA/Crosspoint Academy) completed the two rounds tied for second place at 4-under par 136, after shooting a 67 in the first round, followed by a 69 in the second round. He recorded seven birdies and three bogeys in the first round, including a 31 on the back nine with five birdies and one bogey. In the second round, Weirth had four birdies and three bogeys.

The Bearcats led a highly competitive field through the first 36 holes. Schreiner University (Texas) was second at 565 (287-288). University of Redlands (Calif.), the tournament host, shared third place with Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.), both at 568. Redlands shot 284-284 and Pomona-Pitzer carded 297-281. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona Christian University were tied for fifth place at 570, as both teams shot 288-282.

A total of 14 teams, including a "B" team from Redlands, are competing in the tournament. The individual standings include 80 golfers.

Acikalin Leon from NAIA team Arizona Christian topped the individual leaderboard at 7-under par 133 after rounds of 66 and 67. Joining Weirth in a three-way tie for second place at 136 were Trevor Lewis of NAIA member Embry-Riddle and Yuki Bannai from Pomona-Pitzer. Lewis shot 70-66 and Bannai shot 69-67. Willamette competes in NCAA Division III.

Zhao Yung Gu from Schreiner held fifth place at 137 (71-66). Jason Bustos (67-71) from the University of La Verne and Joshua Fambro (66-72) from Redlands were tied for sixth place at 138.

In addition to Weirth's tie for second place, other top individual results for the Bearcats included Jack McMullin (Jr., Seattle, WA/Roosevelt HS) and Paxton Jones (So., Wellington, NZ/Scots College) in a six-way tie for 14th place at 142. McMullin carded rounds of 76 and 66. His second round featured four birdies, 14 pars and no bogeys. Jones shot two rounds of 71 with a total of seven birdies.

Also competing for Willamette's team entry on Monday were Brock Olson (Fy., Kirkland, WA/Lake Washington HS) and Andrew Kibbee (Grad., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS). Olson shot 69-77 to end the day tied with six golfers for 32nd place at 146. Kibbee registered scores of 76 and 71 for part of a two-way tie for 38th place at 147. Lucas Paul (Fy., Salem, OR/South Salem HS) of Willamette competed as an individual and shot 148 (74-74), to claim part of a 10-way tie for 41st place.