Friday, October 9, 2015

All six GNAC men’s golf teams competed at the Saint Martin’s Invitational on Sept. 18 and 19. It was the only time during the fall season that all the teams would be together. Simon Fraser finished second place overall and first among GNAC teams, shooting a combined 10-over-par 852 over three rounds. Western Washington placed fifth, followed by Montana State Billings in sixth, Saint Martin’s in seventh, Concordia in 9th and Northwest Nazarene in 11th.

PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF: Simon Fraaser’s Cris Crisologo, 2014-15 GNAC Freshman of the Year, received medalist honors at the Saint Martin’s Invitational, tying the GNAC three-round record at the event with a 7-under-par 206. He also set a tournament record of 8-under-par 63 in the final round, one stroke off of the Olympia Country & Golf Club course record. The round was also the lowest ever by a Simon Fraser golfer and tied for the second-lowest round in GNAC competition.

Western Washington’s Brett Johnson and Montana State Billings’ Connor Meile tied for second place, shooting 1-under-par 212. Simon Fraser’s Marcus Brown shot 1-over-par 214 for fifth place and had the lowest first round of any competitor at 2-under-par 69. Kolton Kyne shot 5-over-par 218 to lead all Concordia golfers in 12th place. Ryan Pickthorn was 7-over-par 220, finishing 20th place and first among Saint Martin’s. Kenyan Fanslow and Jack Strickland of Northwest Nazarene tied for 38th with scores of 228.

FIRST STROKE MAGIC: In Scott Larson’s first swing of his collegiate career, the freshman sunk a hole-in-one on the 192-yard, par-3 11th hole at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference #1 Tournament in Denver, Colo., on Sept. 14. Larson finished the tournament 40th overall with the Yellowjackets placing ninth.

TO BELLINGHAM: Five teams competed at the Western Washington Invitational on Sept. 21 and 22. Montana State Billings was the lone team not to attend. Simon Fraser once again placed second overall and first among GNAC teams. They shot 3-over-par 867, while Western Washington finished one stroke back at 868. Concordia tied for sixth, Saint Martin’s placed eighth and Northwest Nazarene took 9th.

Crisologo tied for second place to lead all GNAC golfers, shooting 5-under-par 211. Pickthorn placed fourth for Saint Martin’s, just one stroke behind Crisologo at 4-under-par 211. Fanslow improved from 38th overall at the SMU Invitational to fifth place at the WWU Invitational. He tied Western Washington’s Chris Hatch at 3-under-par 213. Jordan Hutchings helped add to a strong day for Simon Fraser, shooting 2-under par 214 for seventh place. Jeffrey Marcum placed 10th for Western Washington and Philip Kennedy finished 11th place for Concordia.

AROUND THE GNAC: Montana State Billings has competed in two other tournaments this season. They opened the season at the MSUB/RMC Collegiate Cup on September 10 and 11 and at the Regis Invitational on Sept. 14 and 15. Western Washington most recently took part in the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate where they placed sixth overall in a field of 23 teams. Northwest Nazarene defeated College of Idaho at the Crusader-Coyote Dual on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

IN THE LAND OF THE WILDCAT: Four GNAC teams traveled to Chico, Calif. for the InterWest Wildcat Classic on Oct. 5 and 6. Simon Fraser was once again the leading GNAC squad, finishing third place overall with a three-round score of 882. Western Washington placed fifth at 887, Northwest Nazarene finished ninth shooting 907 and Montana State Billings rolled in at 12th, carding a 926 team score.

Crisolgo again led all GNAC golfers in fourth place, carding a three-round score of 1-under-par 215. The Clan’s Brown placed sixth overall, one stroke back of Crisologo at even par 216. Johnson for Western Washington finished in eight place, 3-over-par 219. Teammate Michael Butler tied for 14th with a score of 5-over-par 221. Ian Briske led Northwest Nazarene golfers with a 7-over-par 223, 19th-place finish. Montana State Billings Brayden Luper shot a three-round score of 228 to place 32nd to lead all Yellowjacket golfers.

IN THE RANKINGS: Simon Fraser ranked No. 13 in the Golf Coaches Association of America Bushnell Golfweek Division II Coaches Poll as of Sept. 25. The Clan has ranked No. 9 in the preseason poll. Western Washington is among teams receiving votes (10).

Simon Fraser, Saint Martin’s and Western Washington will be at the Otter Fall Invitational in Seaside, Calif. on Oct. 19 and 20 for the second to last tournament of the season. Fall golf ends on Oct. 31 with Saint Martin’s and Concordia at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate in Waikoloa, Hawaii.