MCMINNVILLE, Ore.– The Linfield Wildcats clinched the 2025 NWC Men’s Golf Championship Tournament title on Monday, April 21, at Michelbook Country Club in McMinnville, Oregon. The Wildcats shared the day’s glory with the Willamette Bearcats, who claimed the overall 2024-25 NWC Men’s Golf Champion title with wins at the Fall Classic and Spring classic, and a second place finish on Monday’s NWC Championship Tournament.
As overall conference champions, Willamette earned the NWC’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championships, which will be held May May 20-23 at Midvale Country Club in Penfield, NY.
In tournament individual play, Linfield’s Douglas Bailey captured the individual NWC Tournament title after firing the best round of the event on Day 2. He posted a 76 in the opening round and followed it up with a tournament-best 66 for a two-day total of 142. After a tiebreaker, Truman Fletcher of George Fox placed second with a 142 (71-71). Linfield’s Zach LaPlaca and Ryder Ng tied for third place at a combined score of 143. AJ Papajohn of Willamette rounded out the top five with a combined score of 146.
In the team standings, Linfield led the way with a combined score of 581 (295-286), followed by Willamette at 597 (299-298). Whitman took third at 598 (299-299), with George Fox at fourth (605). Pacific Lutheran and Lewis & Clark tied for fifth (609), followed by Pacific (616), Whitworth (617) and Puget Sound (625).
Oliver Smith of Willamette was honored as the NWC Player of the Year, while Ryder Ng of Linfield was honored Rookie of the Year. Men’s Coach of the Year went to Patrick Daugherty of Willamette.
Final 2024-25 Men’s Team Season Point Standings
(Top team earns the NWC’s AQ to NCAA Championships)
|
MEN
|
| Fall Classic
|
| Spring Classic
|
| Championship
|
| Total
|
|
WILL
|
562
|
578
|
597
|
1737
|
|
WHM
|
567
|
579
|
598
|
1744
|
|
LIN
|
576
|
596
|
581
|
1753
|
|
GFU
|
589
|
579
|
605
|
1773
|
|
PLU
|
582
|
590
|
609
|
1781
|
|
LC
|
596
|
582
|
609
|
1787
|
|
WHW
|
583
|
593
|
617
|
1793
|
|
UPS
|
605
|
592
|
625
|
1822
|
|
PAC
|
629
|
607
|
616
|
1852
|