Vijarro and Simanton Poised to Defend Oregon Amateur Titles

Canby, Ore. (Monday, June 21, 2010) - The championship began with both Warm weather and sunshine marking the first official day of summer, and for the 101st time since 1904, the Oregon Amateur Championship began as 116 Men and 40 women teed it up in stroke play competition in the hopes of earning an opportunity to advance into the traditional match play rounds which will begin Wednesday.

Defending Men’s Champion Andrew Vijarro of Bend, ore. showed the rest of the field that he was ready to defend his title shooting a 6-under par 36-30--66 on the 7,079-yard par-72 Willamette Valley Country Club layout. Vijarro, who missed his birdie putt on the 18th hole to shoot 30 on his back nine commented after his round, “well 29 would have been better!” He also noted that if he hadn't missed some opportunities on the opening nine, he could have easily shot 62.

For the day, there were 17-players at even par or better with 16 of those players coming from the morning wave and only Bobby Monaco of Eugene, Ore., the Oregon Junior Amateur Champion from two years ago making it to even par from the afternoon players.

Nearly every one of the medalist contenders is a current or recent collegian with the exception of nationally ranked senior golfer Chris Maletis, 61 who enters the second round of stroke play qualifying tied for 4th scoring 2-under par for the day. Maletis was the winner of the 2010 PNGA Senior Amateur at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C. where he defended his title for the second straight year.

Also in contention are Idaho Vandal teammates Justin Kadin of Corvallis, Ore. at 5-under par and Damian Telles of The Dalles, just 1-stroke back. Kadin recently took home the Oregon Public Links title at Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton.

Like Vijarro, defending Champion Amy Beth Simanton of Lake Oswego, Ore. also showed she planned on putting up a fight on the 5,992-yard women's layout with an even par 72 to share the lead with perennial contender Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore. and Caitlin McCleary of The Dalles.

Several past champions are also among the leaders including 2007 Champion Kristen Svicarovich of Hillsboro and 2002 Champion Kailin Downs, the assistant coach at Oregon State who recently regained her amateur status.

All the women will have the unique opportunity to match wits against two of the youngest players ever to play in the event. Monica Vaughn, 15, of Reedsport, Ore. showed that her recent Oregon Public Links title was no fluke, finishing her day just 5-strokes off the pace set by the leaders. But it is the youngest player, 13-year old Gigi Stoll that may have been a surprise to many. Although inexperienced at this level, Stoll has been romping through the junior ranks the past several seasons including titles as a Pee Wee (8-11) and Intermediate Girl (12-14) at the Oregon Junior Amateur. Because of her age, she is ineligible to earn a spot in some coveted International Junior Team Competitions so she chose to forego some point earning junior events and opted to compete against the older, more experienced players.

The Oregon Amateur, considered the "major" amateur golf in the region, is also one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting competitions in the state featuring of the best amateur golfers in the region. To be eligible, a player must be an amateur golfer with a USGA Handicap Index of 3.4 or less. Three qualifiers were held to select the players to advance to the tournament proper.

While many state Championships have become stroke play competitions, the Oregon Amateur, remains true to its roots playing the same traditional match play format that's used to this day to determine the best amateur champions even at the national level. It's also one of the few men's and women's amateurs held concurrently, always played at the same time at the same site. Started in 1904, this year's event will be its 101st occurrence. The only years it was not held was during World Wars I and II.

Visit www.oregonamateur.org for complete information about the championship.