March 14, 2008

GOLF: PLU Teams Prep for Willamette Invitational Tournaments

WHAT’S AHEAD: The PLU women’s golf team competes on Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16, at the Willamette Invitational. The event is scheduled for the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn, Ore. The Lute men also play next at the Willamette Invitational, but that event is scheduled for one day, March 17, at Creekside Country Club in Salem, Ore.

Chris Packard

PACKARD KEEPS IT GOING: Chris Packard ended the 2007 fall season on a strong note, winning medalist honors by five strokes at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic at Spokane Country Club. Packard shot a two-day total of 143, including a final round 69. He started his spring season in similar fashion by winning the UPS Invitational on March 6-7. Packard fired rounds of 71 and 72 for a 143, three strokes better than Greg Swanson of host Puget Sound.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: As a result of his strong performance at the UPS Invitational, Chris Packard earned Northwest Conference Men’s Golfer of the Week honors.

MORE MEN’S NOTES: Pacific Lutheran placed third in the four-team men's event with a 313-309 - 622. Linfield led the way with 304-308 - 612, followed by Puget Sound with 310-305 - 615. Willamette placed fourth with 325-314 - 639. Jason Casey shot a 77-75 - 152 to finish fourth, but he was the only other PLU golfer to place in the top 10. Kyle Spitzer (86-78 - 164) tied for 15th, Barrett Stamps (81-84 - 165) tied for 17th, Adam Story (84-84 - 168) placed 21st and Brian Erickson (87-88 - 175) finished 23rd.

WOMEN’S NOTES: Lute senior Angela Grossklaus led PLU to a third-place finish at the UPS Invitational, shooting 96-87 - 183 to finish in sixth place. Kindra Stamps (100-99 - 199) tied for 11th, Mallory Mueller (120-100 - 220) placed 15th and Lauren Emmerson (126-108 - 234) finished in a tie for 16th. Puget Sound won the women's team title with a two-day score of 721, followed by Linfield at 750, PLU at 836 (442-394) and Willamette at 872. Willamette's Whitney Ueno and Puget Sound's Maresa Jenson tied for medalist honors at 174.

- PLU -