By Nick Barene, Sports Writer
The Pacific Lutheran University golf teams took to the course this weekend, competing in the Northwest Conference Spring Classic. Both the men and women’s team had top ten finished.
The women’s team struggled with strong winds gusting throughout the morning. First-year Desirae Haselwood and junior Paige Henry paced the Lutes, as they both shot a 187. They both ended up tying for 25th place overall. The team finished in sixth place with a 759 overall.
“We were playing in wind gusts likely above 40 mph and were putting on the fastest greens I have ever seen,” Henry said. “It was evident that everyone was at odds with the golf course.”
George Fox came away with the team title, shooting a 660. The team was helped in large part by Sydney Maluenda, who shot a 77 in the first round and a 76 in the second.
With their sixth place finish this weekend and their sixth place finish in the Fall Classic, the women’s team is in sixth place in the NWC standings. They will head to Oregon April 19th for the OGA Conference Preview.
The men’s team shot a 321 in the first round and a 316 in the second round to finish the tournament in third place.
Senior Dustin Hegge shot a 77 in both rounds, finishing in a tie for fourth place. Sophomore Justin Lee shot an 80 and a 77, good for a sixth place tie. Fellow sophomore Seth Nickerson rounded out the Lutes in the top 10 with an 80 and a 78 to finish in a tie for eighth place.
Whitworth’s Stephen Plopper took first place shooting a 76 and a 75. The Pirates earned the team win, shooting a 304 in the first round and a 314 in the second.
“We can make a push and comeback for the final round,” said Lee. “We moved up from fourth to third in the tournament which was a big improvement.”
The men’s team is currently tied with Whitworth for second place in the NWC. The final tournament of the year, the NWC Championships, will be held April 26-27.
