NWC FALL CLASSIC: Bruins 7th but Bunched in Middle of Pack after Classic’s 1st Day

PORTLAND, Ore. – With Aleks Gabrio and Mike Ulstad both shooting below-80 rounds, the George Fox University Bruins found themselves in seventh place among a group of teams bunched in the middle of the pack after the first day of play in the Northwest Conference Men’s Golf Fall Classic Saturday here at the Heron Lakes Golf Course.

The University of Puget Sound Loggers, looking to defend their 2011 title, shot an even-par 288 to take a 10-stroke lead over the Linfield College Wildcats, who are at 298.  The Pacific Lutheran University Lutes are third at 306, followed by the Whitworth University Pirates at 312, the Whitman College Missionaries at 315, the Pacific University Boxers at 317, the Bruins at 322, and the Willamette University Bearcats at 327.  The Lewis & Clark College Pioneers had two players as individuals but no team score.

Gabrio led the Bruins with a four-over-par 76 on the par-72, 6,491-yard Great Blue course and is locked in a tie for 10th in the individual standings.  Ulstad carded a 79 and is tied for 16th.  Also counting for the Bruins were Kyle Wilson with an 82 (tied for 31st) and Chris Lumsden with an 85 (tied for 35th).  Tyler Dyck completed the George Fox team with an 87, ranking 39th.

Dustin Hegge of PLU shot a four-under-par 68 to take a one-stroke lead over the 69 of Matt Kitto of UPS for medalist honors.  Also shooting sub-par rounds were Alex Fitch of Linfield and Nick Kelley of Puget Sound, each at 71.  Adam Bean of UPS and Ryan Nolan of Linfield were tied for fifth with 73’s.

The final round of the Men’s Fall Classic gets under way Sunday at 10:00 a.m.  The Fall Classic counts as one quarter of the score toward the overall conference title, with the Spring Classic as another quarter and the NWC Championship Tournament as one half of the total team score.

Results of the first round of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic are available on the George Fox men’s golf web site at http://athletics.georgefox.edu/sports/mgolf/2011-12/files/1022.htm.