DUPONT, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's golf team completed its season-opening tournament placing sixth out of 13 teams at the SMU Bishop Invitational at The Home Course.

 

Western slipped two spots on the leaderboard with its final-round team score of 10-over-par 298, finishing the 54-hole competition at 11-over-par 875. Saturday's conditions featured rain and wind on the par 72 layout.

 

The Vikings were led by juniors Seth King and Ryan Ho, who both tied for 11th place in the 69-player field at 1-over-par 217. Freshman Braxton McDonald carried WWU in the final round with a 1-under-par 71 to close out his first collegiate tournament (tie for 47th overall).

 

Junior Matteo Polla and senior Drew Halili tied for 37th place at 9-over-par 225.

 

"The team battled today with the wind and rain making for a challenging finish," said WWU Director of Golf Luke Bennett. "It was nice getting back to competition, but there's work to be done. We are looking forward to getting right back in action with our home tournament starting Monday."

 

Simon Fraser won the tournament team title finishing at 4-under-par 860, fueled by a 10-under-par second-round team score. Easton Hether of Cal State East Bay and Max Turnquist of host Saint Martin's tied for individual medalist honors at 6-under-par 210.

 

The Vikings will have a quick turnaround continuing the quick start to the 2023-24 season hosting the WWU Invitational Monday (36 holes) and Tuesday (18 holes) at Bellingham Golf & Country Club. The tournament will feature an 8:30 am shotgun start both days, with live results available at wwuvikings.com/MG_Live.

 

Here is a look at WWU's individual results and the team leaderboard from the 2023 SMU Bishop Invitational played on the par 72 The Home Course:

 

Here is a look at the Vikings 2023-24 fall tournament schedule for the WWU Men's Golf program, in addition to the listing of spring postseason tournaments. All tournament recaps, season statistics and program history can be found on WWUVikings.com/MGolf.

 

Fans can follow the WWU Men's Golf program online at WWUVikings.com/MGolf, and via social media on Twitter (@WWUGolf), Instagram (@wwugolf) and Facebook (@WWUMGolf).

 

The WWU men's golf team has an incredible streak of advancing to the NCAA Championships in each of the 24 seasons the program has competed at the NCAA Division II level dating back to the 1998-99 season. WWU placed 3rd at the 2013 national championship for the highest finish in program history and made its 10th trip to the National Championship Finals in 2023 placing 15th. The program has produced 16 NCAA All-Americans and has won 10 of 15 Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships since the tournament debuted in 2008. The Vikings have also featured the GNAC Championships individual medalist in 10 of 15 tournaments with Jordan Lee joining the elite list of conference champions in 2023 and nine GNAC Player of the Year awards.