July 24, 2007

Henninger’s motivation yields results for Lakers

The Southwestern Oregon Community College men’s and women’s golf teams have took some helpful hints from two-time PGA Tour winner Brian Henninger to heart in a recent competition.

Henninger was vacationing at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort – the Lakers’ home course for practices and tournaments – in early April when he took time to address the golfers about the mental side of golf.

The Laker men responded by taking third in the 12-team Bigfoot tournament April 15 and 16 in Spokane, Wash., and the women finished second in their eight-team tourney. Sean Free led the Southwestern men individually, tying for fourth with his score of 145. Jessica Marcum led the Lakers with a sixth-place individual finish after shooting 162.

The Walla Walla men’s team finished first in the team race with a tally of 586, followed by Whitworth (592) and Southwestern (603). On the women’s side, Spokane took first with 467, followed by Southwestern with 505. Southwestern coach Marie Simonds credited Henninger’s motivational talk for the team’s success. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort Director of Golf John Grothe coordinated the presentation by Henninger, who lists Bandon Dunes as his home course.

“I approached him and he was real excited about having the opportunity to sit down and talk with the golfers. He’s obviously an ambassador of ours both when he’s on tour and when he’s doing general events,” Grothe said. “It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for golfers to be able to have somebody who’s played at the best events in the world to share insight in how he prepares for competition and big events.”

Bigfoot Invitational

April 15 and 16

At Spokane, Wash.

MEN

Team: Walla Walla 289-297—586, Whitworth 300-292—592, Southwestern 306-297—603, Spokane 299-305—604, Olympic 309-300—609, Green River 307-309—616, Skagit Valley 309-311—620, Bellevue 318-305—623, Columbia Basin 311-315—626, Grays Harbor 331-326—657, Treasure Valley 339-320—659, North Idaho 341-365—706.

Individual

SOUTHWESTERN (306-297—603): Sean Free 72-73—145, Jonny Burlison 79-71—150, Ben Gardner 77-76—153, Jon Gaffney 78-77—155, Jonny Wilson 79-79—158, Dominic Selfa 80-82—162.

WOMEN

Team: Spokane 231-236—467, Southwestern 249-256—505, Columbia Basin 259-254—513, Skagit Valley 262-255—517, Green River 277-261—538, Treasure Valley 309-307—616, North Idaho 342-410—752.

Individual

SOUTHWESTERN (249-256—505): Jessica Marcum 79-83—162, Ashley Burke 86-83—169, Kate Redden 84-90—174.