NWC FALL CLASSIC: Linfield Overtakes Pacific to Win Fall Classic by Three Strokes

Day 2/Final Results
Individual Standings 

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Down by one stroke heading into the second day of play, the Linfield College Wildcats out-scored the Pacific University Boxers 301-305 on Sunday to win the Northwest Conference Men’s Golf Fall Classic 596-599 as the tournament concluded here at the Canyon Lakes Golf Course.

Following the top two teams were the University of Puget Sound Loggers at 618, the Whitworth University Pirates at 631, the Willamette University Bearcats at 633, the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes at 645, the Whitman College Missionaries at 646, and the host George Fox University Bruins at 652.  The Lewis & Clark College Pioneers did not have anyone entered.

Results of the NWC Fall Classic count as one-quarter of the season score for determining the conference champion.  Teams in the Fall Classic and the NWC Spring Classic receive one point each for each team they beat, and two points for each team they beat in April's NWC Championship event.  Heading into the spring, Linfield will have 8 points, Pacific 7, Puget Sound 6, Whitworth 5, Willamette 4, Pacific Lutheran 3, Whitman 2, George Fox 1, and Lewis & Clark 0.

Medalist honors went to Brian Barton of Whitman, who carded a two-day score of 70-72=142 and secured an automatic place on next spring’s All-Northwest Conference team.  The only player to finish under par on the par 72 course, he defeated Tyler Nelson of Linfield, who had a 72-73=145.  First-day leader Ben Wright of Pacific slipped to third with a 69-77=146.  Fourth place went to Max Bonk of Pacific with a 75-72=147, and in fifth was Andrew Fitch of Linfield with a 75-74=149.

For the host Bruins, David Burkhart had the top score with a 79-76=155, a new personal record which tied him for 10th in the individual standings.  Other counting scores for the Bruins included an 82-80=162 (27th) by Kelton Johnson, an 83-82=165 (tied for 32nd) by Mike Ulstad, and an 87-83=170 (tied for 39th) by Brett Tharp.  The Bruins shaved 10 strokes off their first-day score on Sunday, going from 331 down to 321 for their final 652 score.

The Fall Classic concludes play for the Northwest Conference teams until the spring.