ALOHA, Ore. – Slotting three golfers among the top 10 competitors, Linfield shares the tournament lead after Day 1 of the Pacific Invitational, hosted by Pacific University at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club.

Firing a 1-over-par 73, Linfield’s Alex Fitch sits tied atop the leaderboard, sharing the top perch with Dylan Maine of the Community College of Spokane. Fitch recorded one birdie and a couple of bogeys, despite less-than-ideal course conditions.

“Overall, we played pretty solid today,” said Wildcats coach Greg Copeland. “The course was challenging and the weather was wet at times and cold.”

Centenary’s Jamie Gibson, Puget Sound’s Matt Kitto and CCS’s Andrew Roller share third place, all with matching 74s.

Linfield and CCS sit tied in the team standings as well, both with 13-over 301s. Puget Sound is seven strokes back at 307, while Centenary is at 311. Linfield’s “B” team is in fifth place at 331, followed by Pacific (333), George Fox (334) and Lewis & Clark (395).

Three other Wildcats are within five strokes of Fitch. Taylor Klopp (Soph., Eugene, Ore.) and A.J. Taylor (Jr., Kirkland, Wash.) each shot 3-over 75s to share sixth place. Connor Magnuson (Soph., Albany, Ore.) is tied for 13th place at 78. Thomas Arand (Soph., McMinnville, Ore.) carded an 83, good for 27th place.

Among the “B” team members, Dillon Alegre (Soph., Fallon, Nev.) shot an 81, Logan Munson (Soph., Wilsonville, Ore.) was at 82, Nick Orsborn and Tommy Schmitz (Jr., Gresham, Ore.) each had 84s, and Taylor Pirnke (Soph., Mill Creek, Wash.) turned in an 88.

Action resumes Sunday morning at The Reserve, though weather forecasts are calling for unsettled skies with lowering snow levels through the early hours of the day.

“We just need to focus on putting a good swing on the ball. Because sections of the course are so wet and muddy, we need to put the ball into a good spot off the tee. If we come out and play with confidence, we’ll be fine.”