4/20/2008 - NWC CHAMPIONSHIP: Bruins Slip from 3rd to 5th on Second Day of NWC Tourney
SISTERS, Ore. - After standing in third place at the end of Saturday’s play, the George Fox University Bruins slipped back in the pack and finished in fifth place as the Northwest Conference Women’s Golf Championship came to a conclusion Sunday here at the Aspen Lakes Golf Course.
The Bruins shot a two-day score of 354-368=722. Pacific University captured the team title with a score of 343-339=682, followed by Whitworth University at 350-352=702, the University of Puget Sound at 358-354=712, Linfield College at 363-350=713, George Fox, Pacific Lutheran University at 394-376=770, and Willamette University at 397-404=801. Lewis & Clark College had three players entered, but four are needed for a team score, and Whitman College had no entries.
As a result of their win in the NWC Championship, Pacific took home the NWC title for the year, including the NWC Fall and Spring Classics. Pacific had 31.5 points, followed by Whitworth with 25, Linfield 22.5, Puget Sound 22, George Fox 19, Pacific Lutheran and Willamette 9 each, Lewis & Clark 2, and Whitman 0.
George Fox was led by Brittany Zefkeles, who carded an 85-92=177 and tied for 13th. Mandy Cameron was 15th at 90-88=178, and Brianna Nap was 16th at 86-93=179. Whitney Clunes shot a 93-98=191, and Nicole Hudson had a 100-95=195.
“We hung in there the first day, but on the second day, the weather got the best of us,” admitted Bruin coach MaryJo McCloskey. “The bitter cold and windy weather conditions, with temperatures below freezing and on and off snow showers, seemed to affect our less experienced team more than any other. Overall, our team played solidly, with the exception of a few difficult holes which resulted in some higher scores for our entire team. But the good news about this tournament is that we are highly motivated for next year.”
Medalist honors went to Whitney Ueno of Willamette with a 79-82=161, five strokes ahead of runner-up Brynn Hurdus of Linfield with an 85-81=166. Tami Park (81-86=167) and Sarah Bicker of Puget Sound (84-83=167) tied for third, Krystal Pitkonen (84-86=170) of Whitworth was fifth, and Jasmine Ching (87-82=172) of Pacific was sixth. The top six earn All-Conference honors.
Complete results of the Northwest Conference Championship are available at the NWC Championship web site hosted by Puget Sound at http://www2.ups.edu/athletics/live/golf/nwchampscores.htm.