George Fox Women's Golf Team Wins NWC Fall Classic

WOODBURN, Oregon - MaryJo McClosky earned her 100th career win, Monday as the Gorge Fox women’s golf team won the Northwest Conference Fall Classic at the OGA Golf Course.

The Bruins were led by Alison Takamiya who earned medalist honors after shooting a 3-under (141) in the 36-hole event. Takamiya, a fifth-year grad student had four birdies in a row on the back nine to win the tournament.

Takamiya won the Division III PING WGCA Player of the Year in 2023-24 season.

Makensie Toole finished up round two in second place overall with a score of 143 (-1). Toole had three birdies and 14 pars on her way to shooting a 70 in her second round.

Liana Brown, who placed fourth overall at the tournament had two birdies,13 pars, and three bogies to finish with a score of 147 (+3).

The Bruins had three players in the top five including the top two finishers. It continues the Bruins success who swept all three Northwest Conference tournaments last season. As a team, the Bruins finished at 581 (+5), which was 41 strokes ahead of second-place Whitman.

Bead Boonta of Pacific University in Oregon finished third with 146 (+2). Other Oregon colleges competing in the event included Lewis & Clark, Linfield, and Willamette.

Ainsley Carter upped her game in round two, moving up 13 places and tying for sixth place overall thanks to an even-par day. Carter scored two bogeys, 14 pars, and two birdies to secure her sixth-place standing, finishing with an overall score of 154 (+10).

Reyna Naranjo rounded out the competing Bruins, taking 19th place overall with a score of 164 (+20).

As a team, the Bruins earned Mary Jo McCloskey's 100th win at George Fox thanks to the third-best 18-hole team score in program history: a 285 (-3).

“Wow- just a really fun finish shooting 3-under as a team and coming so close to our single-round team record," McCloskey said."Birdies were flying from everyone including 4 in a row from Alison—-who went on to become medalist! I am just so proud of this entire team and our accomplishments. As for my 100th win—-I prefer to call it 'our 100th win as a program!' I am so grateful for ALL the amazing players who worked so hard over the years and helped build our championship program. It's truly about all of them, along with our great university and all our wonderful supporters and alums. I am just happy to be part of it."

The seven-time NCAA Division III West Region Coach of the Year and ten-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year has been the head of the women's golf team since its inception in 2006, taking the fledgling program from humble beginnings to an NCAA DIII National Championship in 2023.

In addition to the 100th win, the win served as the 36th NWC tournament (Fall Classic, Spring Classic, Championship) victory for McCloskey, while Takamiya's medal position was the 29th time the Bruins had done so in a conference competition.

The Bruins head to Walla Walla, Washington to play in the Confluence Classic on October 20-21 in hopes they can secure McCloskey's 101st win.