Tuesday, April 16, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. – A win at the Saint Martin’s University Men’s Golf Preview Invitational last Monday and Tuesday has earned Western Washington University’s men’s golf team GNAC Team of the Week honors.

The Vikings finished the tournament with a team score of 857, finishing six shots ahead of Grand Canyon. The tournament was held at The Home Course in DuPont, which will be the site of next month’s NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional.

WWU, which is ranked second in the region and eighth nationally in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf Division II Coaches' Poll, was led by Dylan Goodwin and Mark Strickland, both with two-under par 214 totals.

"Everyone just played great," said WWU head coach Steve Card after Tuesday’s final round.  "To do it on that golf course where the regionals are going to be played was really good."

“We are playing well as a team and everyone is contributing,” Card said.  “I like the progression we’re making this spring.”

Four of the top five players in scoring average in the GNAC are WWU players, led by Jake Webb, who is averaging 72.9 strokes.  Strickland ranks third with a 73.7 average, followed by Evan Needham (73.9) and Goodwin (74.3).

WWU is competing this week at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational at Turlock, Calif. 

Next Monday and Tuesday the Vikings will compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships Presented by Coeur d'Alene Resort.  WWU is the five-time defending champion.