by Will Carsh
The men’s and women’s golf teams competed in the Northwest Conference Spring Classic tournaments this weekend, with the men’s team playing in Olympia and the women’s playing in Spanaway. The first day ended with the men’s team in first place and the women’s in second, but both ended in the top spot after the weekend ended.
Of particular note was junior Samson Martinez, who led the men’s team to the top during the first day after hitting a 73, putting himself ahead of Willamette’s Ryan Kukula, who scored a 75. The difference actually led to Whitworth’s lead as a whole, as Whitworth led with a 308 against Willamette’s 310 after the first day.
“I owe my success to the support of God, my family and friends,” Martinez said, adding that his eagle on the par-five 14th hole was the highlight of his whole weekend.
The women’s team ended up in second place after the first round, with three players in the top ten. Junior Chelsea Bayley and sophomore Michal Schuster tied for fourth place along with three others with a score of 79, while senior Nicole Lomax landed in eighth with an 80. George Fox led the first round overall with a score of 317, with Whitworth at 322 and Whitman at 323.
The second day proved even better for both teams, with the men finishing in first with an even more sizable lead, and the women’s team tying for first place. Though Linfield ended up with the highest scoring individual overall on the men’s side, Whitworth ended up increasing their lead as a team, ending the day with a 300 and a tournament total of 608, as opposed to Pacific Lutheran’s 310 and 625 and Willamette’s 316 and 626. The women’s team jumped ahead of George Fox with a day score of 307. However, Whitman ended up playing a 306 that resulted in both the Missionaries and the Bucs getting a 629 total, tying for first above Fox’s 631.
Martinez ended up finishing the tournament in second place, as did Bayley.
“We did a really good job of staying in the moment and taking one shot at a time instead of just thinking about the final score,” Bayley said in regard to Whitworth’s comeback.
“We worked together and gave each other great advice during the round. We were also really positive, which helps out a ton,” junior Tyler McQuilkin said.
Both teams play again April 25-26 in Sunriver, Oregon for the NWC Tournament.