Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – Four Great Northwest Athletic Conference men’s golf teams head to Riverside, Calif., on Monday for the Cal Baptist Invitational, while Montana State Billings gets its spring season started on Thursday with the Yellowjacket Invitational in Huntley, Mont.

Having each already logged rounds this spring, Saint Martin’s, Western Washington, Simon Fraser and Northwest Nazarene will each make the trip south next week.

Most recently, SFU placed second in an 11-team field at the Notre Dame de Namur Argonaut Invitational on March 10-11 at Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore, Calif. Bret Thompson was the Clan’s top finisher at the event, logging a three-round total of 218 (71-75-72). Kevin Vigna also finished in the top-10 at the event, as he notched a five-over 221 (76-74-71). The tandem helped the Clan finish with a team score of 887 (291-303-293), well behind tournament champion Chico State (866). 

Saint Martin’s and Northwest Nazarene each participated in the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout March 3-4 at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo, Calif., finishing in 6th and 11th place, respectively. SMU sophomore Ryan Pickthorn stole the show in Northern California, winning the Pioneer Shootout with a three-over par 219 (75-68-76). Pickthorn became the second GNAC golfer to win a tournament this season, after NNU senior Nick Hardy took home the top award at the Sonoma State Invite in the fall. 

Pickthorn’s second round score of 68 tied for the low round of the tournament, and he was one of just three golfers to break the 70 mark.

Western Washington tied for 10th place at the Saint Edward’s Invitational, logging a 611 (311-300) at Grey Rock Golf Course in Austin, Texas, on March 3-4. Chris Hatch was the Vikings’ top golfer, tying for 26th with a six-over 150 (78-72).

MSUB currently leads the field and is the only GNAC team to average below 300 at 298.0 as a team. Individually, Brad Harrelson holds the top average in the conference with a score of 72.9, and Austin Westphal and Gage Huft are also in the top-five at 74.3 and 74.6, respectively.

March Schedule: 20-21 – MSUB Yellowjacket Spring Invitational; Pryor Creek Golf Course, Huntley, MT 24-25 – SMU, WWU, SFU, NNU at Cal Baptist Invitational; Menifee, CA 31-Apr. 1 – NNU Invitational; Ridgecrest Golf Club, Nampa, ID. 

MARCH RESULTS

Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout (March 3-4, 2014, Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, Vallejo, CA): Team – 1. Dixie State 902 (301-298-303) 6. Saint Martin’s 924 (314-298-312) 11. Northwest Nazarene 941 (309-306-326) Individual (Top 30) – 1. Ryan Pickthorn, SMU 219 (75-68-76) T-21. Ian Briske, NNU 232 (80-77-75).

Saint Edward’s Invitational (March 3-4, 2014, Grey Rock Golf Club, Austin, TX): Team – 1. Barry 570 (296-274) T-10. Western Washington 611 (311-300) Individual (Top 30) – 1. Adam Svensson, Barry 134 (69-65) T-26. Chris Hatch, WWU 150 (78-72).

Notre Dame de Namur Argonaut Invitational (March 10-11, 2014, Poppy Ridge Golf Club, Livermore, CA): Team – 1. Chico State 866 (287-283-296) 2. Simon Fraser 887 (291-303-293) Individual (Top 30) – 1. Justin Wiles, Chico State 210 (66-71-73) 5. Bret Thompson, SFU 218 (71-75-72) T-7. Kevin Vigna, SFU 221 (76-74-71) T-13. Michael Belle, SFU 223 (72-79-72) 18. John Mlikotic, SFU 225 (72-75-78).