BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Led by strong play from Ryan Vest and Ryan Gillis, the UBCO Heat men's golf team picked up another top three finish to start their 2025 season as they placed second at the Western Washington Invitational that wrapped up on Tuesday at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.
 
The Heat posted an impressive team score of 11-under par 853, finishing just three strokes behind the Simon Fraser Red Leafs who captured their second consecutive team championship.
 
UBCO bested two fellow Canada West opponents as the UBC Thunderbirds finished fourth while the Victoria Vikes finished fifth.
 
The team was led once again by second-year Ryan Vest. The Vernon native, playing on a familiar course after suiting up for the Western Washington Vikings for a year, finished the three-round tournament at seven-under par 209, leaving him in a four-way tie for first place. Although Vest would lose out in a playoff, it marked the second consecutive tournament he's finished inside the top two on the individual leaderboard.
 
Not far behind Vest was third-year Ryan Gillis, who finished tied for sixth place at five-under par 211. Gillis was consistent throughout the three rounds as he shot even par or better each round.
 
Up next for the Heat will be a trip to Arizona to compete in the OUAZ Fall Invitational at the Sterling Grove Golf and Country Club. The event will run Monday, October 6 until Tuesday, October 7.
 
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Simon Fraser – 850 (-14)
2. UBCO Heat – 853 (-11)
3. Western Washington – 856 (-8)
4. UBC Thunderbirds – 866 (+2)
5. Victoria Vikes – 873 (+9)
6. CSU Monterey Bay – 875 (+11)
7. Hawaii-Hilo – 876 (+12)
8. Washburn – 882 (+18)
9. Vanguard – 887 (+23)
10. Saint Martin's – 890 (+26)
T11. Jessup – 893 (+29)
T11. Hawaii Pacific – 893 (+29)
13. Stanislaus State – 900 (+36)
14. Northwest Nazarene – 902 (+38)

HEAT INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
T1. Ryan Vest – 209 (-7) – Lost tiebreak
T6. Ryan Gillis – 211 (-5)
T17. Chris Jo – 218 (+2)
T25. Oakley Mayner – 220 (+4)
T25. Andrew Rouble – 220 (+4)