April 17, 2008

Three-Team Race for Northwest Conference Men’s Golf Title

THIS WEEKEND: The Pacific Lutheran men's and women's golf teams compete in their respective Northwest Conference Championships on Saturday and Sunday, April 19.

HOW THE CHAMPION IS DETERMINED: At stake this weekend are conference team championships in both the men's and women's divisions. The Northwest Conference champion is determined by team finishes at the NWC Fall Classic, the NWC Spring Classic, and the Northwest Conference Championship. Both Classics both count 25 percent and this weekend’s conference tournament counts 50 percent toward final team point totals.

MEN'S TOURNAMENT NOTES: The men's tournament, normally held at Tokatee Golf Course in Blue River, Ore., will instead be played at Apple Tree Golf Club in Yakima. There is another change this year in that the tournament will be a 36-hole event, shortened from the usual 54-hole, two-day affair. Pacific Lutheran University will serve as the host team.

ON THE MEN'S SIDE: Linfield won the NWC Fall Classic, followed by Whitworth and Pacific. Medalist honors went to Pacific Lutheran’s Chris Packard, who fired a 36-hole total of 143 to win by five strokes. As a result of winning that title, Packard has automatically assured himself of all-conference honors. Pacific won the NWC Spring Classic, followed by Whitworth and Linfield. Pacific’s Max Bonk was medalist with a 36-hole total of 141, six strokes ahead of the competition. As a result, those three teams are tied for the conference lead with 14 points apiece. Whitworth is the three-time defending men’s conference champion, while Pacific will try for its first championship since 1993. Linfield is battling for its first-ever Northwest Conference men's golf championship. Pacific Lutheran finished fourth in both Classics and carries 10 points into the final tournament. Other teams competing and their point totals entering the championship tournament include: Puget Sound, 8; Willamette, 6; Whitman, 3; Lewis & Clark, 2; and George Fox, 1.

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT NOTES: The 36-hole women's tournament will be held at Aspen Lakes Golf Club in Sisters, Ore. Pacific leads the women's standings with 15.5 points based on winning the Fall Classic and tying Linfield for first at the Spring Classic. Linfield is second with 12.5 points, followed by Whitworth and George Fox with 11 and Puget Sound with 10. Rounding out the team totals are Willamette with five and PLU with three. The Lutes finished in sixth place at the Fall Classic but did not field a complete team at the Spring Classic. PLU's top player entering this weekend's event is Angela Grossklaus, who has been a top 10 finisher in each of the Classics.

- PLU -