EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell golf season is officially underway as the Beacons are set to open their season at the Corban Invitational on Monday and Tuesday, competing at Salishan Golf Links.
 
Bushnell came in at No. 4 in the preseason Cascade Collegiate Conference Coaches Poll, behind UBC, Lewis-Clark State College and Oregon Tech. The Thunderbirds sit atop the poll after winning the CCC Men's Golf Championship last season and taking eighth at the NAIA National Championship.
 
Five Beacons return to the team, including two of their top-three scorers from last season.
 
Caden Stubbs competed in all seven tournaments last season, finishing with a stroke average of 75.4 and three top-10 placements. The senior tied for the third-best two-round tournament score in school history in his runner-up finish at the Bushnell Fall Invitational, shooting a 74-68—142.
 
Director of Golf Larry Watts said, "Cade comes back for a fifth year. He has put in a lot of hard work this past summer and just won the Emerald Valley Open with 67,68."

Jackson Muramoto recorded the best two-round tournament score in school history, a 70-67—137, to win the Bushnell Fall Invitational. The junior posted a stroke average of 76.0 through seven tournaments. "Jackson has been around Eugene this summer and has spent his time working out a kink in his swing," said Watts.
 
Also returning to the team is sophomore Benjamin Lovrod, who finished at a 78.7 stroke average during his first season of collegiate golf. Watts said, "Benjamin works hard at everything he does, and golf is no different. He is an exceptional young man that any coach would want on their team."
 
Evan Zuvich, one of two seniors this season, returns after competing in one tournament during his junior year. "Evan is by far the biggest fan on our team," said Watts. "He comes back off a stellar performance in our Match Play event."
 
Rounding out the returners is junior Jackson Findlay, who also competed in one tournament last season. Watts said, "Jackson is a solid young man and like Benjamin, every coach welcomes his contribution to the team. Jackson is very athletic and will be a big part of our success this year as a team. We are looking forward to watching Jackson let the game come to him."
 
Watts is excited to bring in a class of three golfers to the program in Hayden Lazeo (Abbotsford, B.C.), Elliot Wallace (Bedford, N.H.) and Josh Neal (Bullhead City, Ariz.). "I'm looking forward to working with all three new recruits," said Watts. "I think we have a crop of young men who will represent the university humbly and gratefully."
 
Lazeo is a freshman out of Bateman Secondary School where he competed for four years. He also played football, basketball, and rugby. Watts said, "Hayden is a promising young talent with a lot of tournament experience in Canada. He recently shot 72,75 in a regional tournament in BC, Canada. He has huge upside, comes from a great family and is a positive addition to our squad."
 
Wallace is a three-time Division I Champion out of Bedford HS. He was the runner-up as an individual at the state tournament. "Elliot has a wonderful touch," Watts said. "Like Hayden, he comes from an outstanding family and will be a solid contributor. He is third presently in team qualifying."
 
Neal rounds out the incoming class of newcomers. Watts said, "Joshua has a superb touch around the greens and will develop into an outstanding golfer."
 
Bushnell opens the season at the Corban Invitational on September 5-6 before taking part in the first two conference tournaments, the College of Idaho Invitational (Sept. 12-13) and the Multnomah Invitational (Sept. 26-27). They will have a short break before heading to Solvang, California to compete at the TMU Danish Class (Oct. 11-12).
 
The Beacons conclude the fall season by hosting the Bushnell Fall Invitational on Oct. 24-25, taking place at the Eugene Country Club and the Tokatee Golf Club.
 
Bushnell opens the spring season at the Walla Walla Invite (April 3-4) before hosting the CCC Championship. The conference championship will be held on April 24-26 at the Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell.
 
"The men have shown up the last two years and are building a nice tradition at Bushnell," said Watts. "We are fortunate to have Conference Championship at our home course this year. I'm expecting a successful year if the men focus on doing the little things in the journey."
 
The Bushnell women's golf program will be unable to fill a full roster this season, but two Beacons are set to return. Analise Aubin and Melody Garcia are both in their second seasons at Bushnell.
 
Watts said, "The Beacon Women are down in numbers and will not be competing as a team this year. We have Analise and Melody coming back who will work hard and continue to build the program. We hope to be at full strength next year."
 
Aubin led the team with an 84.2 stroke average as a freshman, posting two top-10 finishes. She recorded a season-best 79 in the first round of the Gail Moore Intercollegiate, taking 10^th place in her first-ever collegiate tournament.
 
Garcia returns after competing in all seven tournaments with the Beacons last season. She posted a season-best 95 at the PLU Invitational.