As the Whitworth Pirates gear up for the Northwest Conference (NWC) Spring Classic, the team is bringing a mix of excitement, determination and a renewed focus. The tournament, set to take place at Wine Valley Golf Club, holds significant weight in determining postseason standings, and the Pirates are ready to rise to the occasion.
Senior Jacob Rawley expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, explaining how favorable weather conditions this year have allowed the team to get more time on the course. “I’m pretty excited. This year has been a little bit different than years past because the weather has been a bit cooperative with us,” Rawley said. “It’s a course that a lot of the guys know well. We play it every year in the fall, and it’s also pretty local to us, so we usually get down there and get a play a couple more times. So yeah, looking forward to it.”
The Pirates enter the tournament with a strong sense of motivation, carrying a “chip on their shoulder” after an underwhelming performance in the Fall Classic. “Last year in the Fall Classic, we did not play our best, and our rankings are kind of showing that,” Rawley said. “So, I think we’re a little extra motivated this time around, just because we know we’re better than that.”
This event takes on even bigger significance due to a key change in the format for conference standings. “They changed the format this year for standings. It’s all stroke-based instead of point-based,” Rawley explained. “So, we need to play well here in order to give ourselves a shot at going into the national championship. This is a pretty big one for us.”
Since their last competition, Whitworth has placed emphasis on improving their mental approach. “I think we’re less focused on the results,” Rawley said. “Obviously, we want good results…I think we’re looking to have more overall fun with our rounds, instead of really stressing on the back. Because when it comes to [the] back nine, we’re kind of known for falling apart. So, I think playing more will help, but also just being more confident going into that back nine.”
A significant boost for the team has been the addition of a new golf facility here at Whitworth, which has allowed them to sharpen their skills even during the winter months. “We just got our new golf facility all dialed in. It’s pretty sweet in there,” Rawley noted. “It’s been a really big change for us being able to practice over the winter more.”
The Pirates know they will be facing stiff competition, particularly from conference powerhouses like Whitman and Willamette. “Whitman has been pretty dominant in these conference tournaments. And then also Willamette has a good record of winning these events,” Rawley said. “They’ll be tough to beat, for sure, but I think we can beat them.”
A strong showing at the NWC Spring Classic could provide the spark the Pirates need to make a late-season push. “Right now, it does seem pretty slim of our chances of going to [the] conference, but I think if we can go out there, get a win, win by a couple strokes, it will show that we’re not out of it yet,” Rawley said. “Since it’s stroke-based now instead of points-based, it’s a big difference. It’s easier to come back from now. A strong showing would give us an extra spark.”
With a combination of experience, motivation and a newfound mental approach, Whitworth is poised to make an impact at the NWC Spring Classic. The Pirates will look to turn their season around and prove they belong among the conference’s elite.
