PACIFIC INVITATIONAL: Medalist McGrew Leads Bruins to Wide Win at Quail Valley

BANKS, Ore. – Leading the field by a mere two shots heading into the final round of the Pacific University Women’s Golf Fall Invitational, the George Fox University Bruins shot a two-day tournament-best round of 313 on Sunday here at the Quail Valley Golf Course and pulled away for a 26-stroke victory over runner-up Whitworth University.

George Fox’s two-day, four-player score was 316-313=629, while Whitworth slipped back to a 318-337=655.  Whitman College claimed third with a 330-331=661, followed by Linfield College with a 343-337=680, Willamette University with a 340-346=686, Corban University with a 362-377=739, and host Pacific with a 390-383=773.  Lewis & Clark College had three individuals entered but no team score.

The Bruins' Megan McGrew trailed first-day individual leader Emily Guthrie of Whitworth by a single stroke, 73-74, as Sunday’s play began, and shot a 77 to finish with a seven-over-par 151 total to win medalist honors.  Guthrie dropped to second with a final 73-84=157, tied with the Bruins’ Kelsey Morrison, who shot the best round of anyone on Sunday and wound up with an 82-75=157 score. 

Two Bruins - Jill Westendorf (78-81=159) and Loreece Magsanide (78-81=159) - tied for fourth, along with Katie Zajicek of Whitman (81-78=159).  Abby Mann came in ninth with an 82-80=162.  Rounding out the George Fox contingent were Whitney Jammerman with an 80-95=175, tied for 21st, and Lanee Danforth with an 86-95=181, tied for 30th.  Magsanide and Jammerman were playing as individuals whose scores did not count for the Bruins’ team score.

“The weather today was difficult with intermittent rain and some high winds,” noted George Fox coach MaryJo McCloskey, “so I am very pleased with the way we were able to perform.  A team score of 313 in these conditions was extremely solid.  Everyone stayed mentally positive, and it was great seeing five of our players make it into the top 10 in the final results.  I was also excited to see Megan get her first collegiate victory.  It was a good day out there!”

Results of the Pacific Invitational, courtesy of the Pacific sports information office, are available the Bruin women’s golf website at http://athletics.georgefox.edu/sports/wgolf/2011-12/files/0925.htm.

NEXT: George Fox returns to the links on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 7-8, in the St. Martin’s University Invitational at the Olympia Country and Golf Club in Olympia, Wash.  Tee times are to be announced.