McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- After their first day in the highly-competitive Wildcat Invite hosted by Linfield, the George Fox men's golf team finished in seventh with a score of 314 (+26), as the team geared up for the NWC Championship.

Top Performances
Leading the way for Fox was Eli Harrell as well as Blake Johnston where both players ended the first day in a tie for 31st with a 78 (+6). Harrell recorded two birdies — one on hole seven and the other on hole 11 — while Johnston had a consistent day overall, especially on the back nine.

Next up for the Bruins was Christian Chacon and Truman Fletcher who also came out in a tie; both players shot a 79 (+7) which led them to tie for 35th. Chacon found the most success on the front nine where he had a total of three birdies; as for Fletcher, he also had three birdies, but found the most achievement in the back nine where he produced two of his birdies. Rounding out GFU's score was Luke Powell who concluded the first day with a 84 (+12) and finished in 56th place. 

The Bruins had many players competing individually in the Wildcat Invite who also found success on the green throughout the first day — especially Ian Powers. In all, Powers recorded an impressive five birdies with two of those birdies helping him end under par in the back nine 34 (-1). Overall Powers tied for 16th with an overall score of 74 (+2) after a great first day on the course. Following Powers was Ian MacArthur who shot a 79 (+7) which helped him tie for 35th after having a consistent day overall. Wrapping things up for the Bruins for individual play was Otto Klein; after recording a bride on hole two, Klein ended in 49th with a score of 82 (+10). 

For team play, No. 27 ranked Whitman finished in first place after recording a 283 (-5); in second was No. 19 Willamette with a 291 (+3), and Linfield ended in third with a 292 (+4). Individually Whitman's Grady Brown and Mason Remington along with Linfield's Brody Landaker all tied for first after concluding the day with a 70 (-2). 

What Happens Next
The Bruins look to improve as they will stay in McMinnville for their second and final day of the Wildcat Invite on Monday, April 13. The match will be at the Michelbook Golf Course.