THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. --- The Pacific Lutheran University Men's Golf team faced their first 36-hole challenge of the spring season early this week, improving two spots in the final round to take 12^th at the Kingsmen Invitational hosted by California Lutheran University.
 
Junior Koen Solis led the Lutes in the No.1 spot in the lineup, shooting a team-best 76 in the first round, highlighted by four birdies, putting him in 30^th after round one. He matched his first round score on Tuesday, sinking three birdies but closing out the tournament with bogeys on the final two holes to take 27^th.
 
Sophomore Marcus Otto began the tournament with a 77, but greatly improved on Tuesday, firing the lowest score of the week, a one-over 73. His 73 came thanks to a stretch of three birdies on holes three through five on his way to a one-under 35 on the front nine, boosting him to a 21^st place finish for the tournament.
 
Tanner Frinell was unable to make a birdie in the tournament, but came away with a 79 in the opening round before he ended the week with an 87 on Tuesday's round. The Lake Oswego, Ore. native took 69^th place.
 
Even though he made an eagle on his second hole of the tournament, freshman Soren Bostrom's opening-round 82 opened the door for a final-round 79. Finishing as the third-best Lute over the tournament in 59^th place. Freshman Geo Pirrie struggled in the opening round, shooting an 86, but responded well with a 77 to finish the tournament, thanks to five birdies on Tuesday. He jumped 12 spots on the individual leaderboard, taking 63th overall.
 
Northwest Conference foes Lewis & Clark and Whitman each finished ahead of the Lutes for the tournament, as host California Lutheran took home the team title by one shot.
 
Men's Golf plans to travel yet again this weekend, down to Oregon for the Willamette Valley Cup, for their second team tournament of the spring season.
 
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