Pirates Hold Off Defending Conference Champions
SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth University held off a hard charge from defending Northwest Conference champion Linfield College to claim the team title at the Whitworth Invitational on Monday afternoon. It is the first tournament victory for the Pirates in two seasons. Tyler Nelson of Linfield shot a three-under 69 on Monday to overtake first-round leader Alex Fitch, also of Linfield, and Scott Zhang of Pacific Lutheran for individual medalist honors. Nelson finished with a two-day total of 78-69 - 147 (+3), while Zhang was the runner up with 75-74 - 149. Fitch and Whitworth's Christian Boudreau tied for third place, with Fitch shooting 73-78 - 151 and Boudreau carding 75-76 - 151. Nelson was the only player to shoot a round under par during the two-day event. Overall scores were much lower on a sunny and pleasant Monday than they were during Sunday's blustery and cool day. Linfield had the day's best team round of 298, but Whitworth's 300 was enough to hold off the Wildcats after the Pirates built a five-stroke lead after Sunday. The final team scores were: Whitworth 310-300 - 610, Linfield 315-298 - 613, George Fox 327-316 - 643, Pacific (Ore.) 321-323 - 644, Whitman 330-319 - 649, Pacific Lutheran 337-313 - 650. The last tournament victory for Whitworth was April 6, 2008 in a five-way NWC event in Yakima, Washington. Whitworth's Cameron Whittle was fifth (78-74 - 152), while Ryan Young finished tied for sixth (79-76 - 155). Jeff Aly (84-74 - 158) and Jared Descoteaux (78-80 - 158) finished tied for 11th, giving the Pirates six players among the top 12 finishers. Frank DeNoewer shot back to back 80 round for 160 and a tie for 15th place. The Pirates, men and women, will return to action next weekend at the NWC "North" Tournament hosted by University of Puget Sound at Oakbrook Country Club near Tacoma. Play begins on Sunday at noon. Whitworth Invitational Results Go to Athletics Home Page > Golf > Sports Releases > |
