Jordan Jacobo

Review staff writer

Heading into the Northwest Conference Championships, both of Linfield’s golf teams are in a close battle to qualify for nationals.

Senior Kyle Henderson and sophomore Tyler Nelson finished in the top two spots in the George Fox Invitational on April 10, leading the ’Cats to a         19-stroke victory.

Locked in a three-way tie, the ’Cats need to beat Pacific University and Whitworth University April 19 and 20 to earn the conference title.

After tying with Pacific at the NWC Spring Classic March 29, the women’s team is in second place behind the Boxers, but a strong performance this weekend could propel them to first.

The NWC Championships at Apple Tree Golf Course in Yakima, Wash., is all that’s left for Linfield. Golfers on both teams said they are ready to go.

Henderson said the win at George Fox boosted the team’s confidence. They headed into the weekend motivated to win.

“Whoever wins goes to nationals,” he said. “There’s a lot riding on it, but we don’t want to get wrapped up in pressure and emotions.”

Henderson was named the NWC Player of the Week after his two-over-par 74 helped Linfield win the tournament. His score topped 25 other golfers.

For the women’s team, the championship will be the first conference play in three weeks.

Freshman Brynn Hurdus said she doesn’t think the break in action will hurt their play.

“We proved at the last tournament we’re right up there with Pacific,” she said. “It’s a matter of confidence and playing up to their level.

In the Spring Classic on March 29, Hurdus took second place in the conference wide tournament.

Now, in the final test of the season, she said she expects to play just as well.

On the men’s side, the winner-take-all conference championship has the team revisiting a similar scenario from last year, Nelson said.

After heading into the finale leading the NWC in 2006-07, Linfield sputtered on the greens.

A third-place tournament finish cost the ’Cats the conference title.

“Our short game really let us down last year,” Nelson said. “We struggled to make putts.”

This year is the chance to make good on last year’s mishap, Nelson said, and the motivation is pushing Linfield toward big aspirations.

“We fully expect to win and be the team to represent the Northwest Conference in nationals,” Nelson said.

Head coach Greg Copeland’s focus has been especially keen this week, Nelson said. He has been more conscientious of having the team practice together.

“It’s usually more laid back, but this week he’s really trying to have us all ready for the tournament,” Nelson said.

The Division III Men’s National Championship is May 13 to 16 at the Chateau Elan Resort in Atlanta, Ga.

The women’s championship tournament is May 13 to 16 at Centennial Oaks Golf Course in Waverly, Iowa.

Henderson said the team’s veteran roster will be the key at Apple Tree this weekend, and is confident the ’Cats will be heading to nationals.

“We know what it takes,” he said. “We just have to get it done.”