Taylor Jones | Staff Writer
Whitworth men’s golf team placed third at the George Fox University Fall Invitational on Oct. 2 and 3. Graduate student Caleb Belton shot 69-69 for a two-day total of 138, finishing the tournament with medalist honors.
The final men’s team scores for the top three teams were Willamette at 563, Whitman at 570, and Whitworth at 579.
“It wasn’t my golf swing that won the tournament; it was my mindset.” Belton said. “Throughout the day, I told myself to stay in the moment and focus on each shot.”
“The part I really love to see is Caleb’s hard work over the past four and a half years really paying off,” Coach Scott Kramer said. “He always has a great attitude and effort.”
Junior Oliver Nordberg finished 67-74 – 141 tying for fifth place. Junior Sam Pauly shot 148 to tie for 15th place, while junior Gabe Cach shot 152, tying for 25th, and freshman Jacob Rawley shot 155, tying for 33rd.
“Caleb and Oliver both had exceptional tournaments, and Sam was solid on the final round,” Kramer said.
To Kramer, the George Fox Invitational was important for two reasons: team chemistry and conference competition.
“Each time we get out on the road together and compete together, the boys grow closer,” Kramer said.
Tournaments like this also give the team a measuring stick for future conference play.
“It gave us an early season look at how competitive the conference is and how we stack up,” Kramer said.
Whitworth placed second out of nine teams in the NWC fall classic on Oct. 9 and 10. They will wrap up their fall season on Oct. 24 and 25 at the Whitman Confluence Classic in Walla Walla, Washington.