Results

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Western Washington University Men's Golf team finished in 13th place at the season-opening Itani Quality Homes Collegiate played Monday and Tuesday at Palouse Ridge Golf Club.

The Vikings combined for a 54-hole total of 42-over-par 897, finishing in 13th place in the 14-team field comprised primarily of NCAA Division I teams. Tournament host Washington State University ran away with the team title with a 10-under-par 842, 19 strokes better than second-place Utah. WSU's Nick Mandell won individual medalist honors finishing the two-day tournament with a 3-under-par 210.

Western turned in a 10-over-par 294 in Tuesday's final round, a 6-stroke improvement over yesterday's best round of 16-over-par 300 in the afternoon.

"There were some stretches today where we showed what we are capable of, but we need to tidy a few things up," said fourth-year head coach Luke Bennett. "We can take some good things away from today and build on that for the rest of the fall."

Seniors Brett Johnson (Ridgefield, WA/Oregon State) and Chris Hatch (Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak) were the highest placing Vikings tying for 51st place in the 83-player tournament. Johnson, the 2015-16 GNAC Newcomer of the Year, fired a consistent 76-74-74 to finish at 11-over-par. Hatch entered the round tied for 21st (74-72), but slipped with a third-round 78 to finish at 11-over-par.

Sophomore Michael Butler (Sammamish, WA/Skyline/IMG Academy) recorded WWU's best round of the day with an even-par 71 carding three birdies, three bogies and 12 pars on the 7,308-yard layout. Junior Willy Scholten (Lynden, WA/Lynden Christian) shot a 2-over-par 73 for the second-best round of the day for Western

Here is a look at WWU's scores in the season-opening tournament (complete team and individual results at link above):

The Vikings return to action Sept. 23-24 with the Saint Martin's Invitational at Olympia Country & Golf Club. Western will serve as host to the 45th Annual WWU Invitational Sept. 26-27 at Bellingham Golf & Country Club.

-- @WWUMGolf--