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OGA Names 2010 PNGA Cup Team

The Oregon Golf Association recently announced the members who will make up Team Oregon at the 5th PNGA Cup Matches which will be held May 6-7 at Tumble Creek Club Roslyn, Wash.

The PNGA Cup is a Ryder Cup match that includes foursome, fourball and individual match play competitions, and is considered the only of its kind because it is a team contest including men, women, mid- and senior amateur players. Teams represent each of the allied state and provincial associations that are part of the PNGA (Oregon, Washington, Idaho and defending champions - British Columbia).

Team Oregon captures the first two titles including the inaugural matches at Seattle Golf Club in 2006 and repeated the following year at Victoria Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2008, the teams from Oregon and Washington tied at the end of the scheduled compeition, with Washington taking the title in a one-hole playoff.

Team Oregon this year includes: Mid-Am Men: Eric Fiskum, Jim Dunlap, Chad Sawyer and Matt Newcombe; Master-40 Men: Bill Winter and Rick Dimick; Senior Men: Chris Maletis and Patrick O’Donnell; Mid-Am Women: Lara Tennant and Loree McKay; Senior Women: Penny Saenguraiporn and Joan Edwards-Powell

Mid-Amateur Men:

Eric Fiskum
Qualified – 2009 US Amateur Championship
2009 PNGA Cup Team
2009 Hudson Cup Team
2009 Oregon USGA State Team
2008 Hudson Cup Team
2008 PNGA Cup Team
Tied 2nd - 2008 OGA Tournament of Champions
Round of 32 – 2008 Oregon Amateur
Tied 4th – 2008 OGA Team Championship
Qualified for 2008 US Mid – Amateur
2007 PNGA Cup Team
Round of 32 – 2007 Oregon Amateur
Tied for 9th – 2007 OGA Tournament of Champions
Tied for 6th – 2007 Oregon Mid-Amateur
Winner – 2006 OGA Tournament of Champions
2006 PNGA Cup Team
Runner up – 2005 Oregon Amateur

Jim Dunlap
2009 Oregon USGA State Team
2009 Pacific Coast Morse Cup Team
2009 Hudson Cup Team
Champion – 2009 OGA Tournament of Champions
2008 OGA Player of the Year
2008 PNGA Cup Team
2008 Hudson Cup Team
Round of 16 – 2008 US Mid-Amateur Championship
Qualified – 2008 US Open Local Qualifier
Low individual – 2007 OGA Team Championship
Qualified for 2007 US Amateur
Tied 2nd – 2007 Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship

Chad Sawyer
Medalist – 2009 - US Mid-Amateur Qualifier
Champion – 2009 Oregon Public Links Championship
Round of 32 – 2009 US Mid –Amateur Championship
2009 Hudson Cup Team
2nd – 2009 Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship
Champion - 2008 Oregon Public Links Championship

Matt Newcombe
Tied 3rd – 2009 OGA Team Championship
Tied 2nd – 2009 OGA Tournament of Champions
2009 Hudson Cup Team

Master-40 Men:

Bill Winter
Round of 32 – PNGA Amateur
Round of 16 – 2009 Oregon Amateur
Round of 32 - 2008 Oregon Amateur
Tied 20th – 2009 North West Open
5th – 2008 OGA Tournament of Champions
9th – 2007 Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship
Low Individual – 2006 OGA Team Championship
Qualified for 2006 US Mid-Amateur Championship

Rick Dimick
4th – 2009 OGA Tournament of Champions
Tied 3rd – 2009 Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship

Senior Men:

Chris Maletis
Champion – Inaugural OGA Players Championship
Champion – PNGA Senior Amateur Championship
Tied 2nd Washington Senior Open
Tied 8th – 2009 Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship
2009 Senior Hudson Cup Team
2009 PNGA Cup Team
2008 Senior Hudson Cup Team
2008 PNGA Cup Team
Champion – 2008 PNGA Master 40
Tied 2nd – 2008 Oregon Senior Men’s Stroke Play
Tied 6th – 2008 PNGA Senior Amateur
Tied 4th – 2008 Senior Washington Open
Champion – 104th Trans-Mississippi Championship (third title)
Champion - 2007 PNGA Senior Men’s Amateur
2nd – 2007 Oregon Senior Men’s Stroke Play
2nd – 2007 Senior Washington Open
Alternate – 2007 US Senior Open Qualifier
2004 Golfer of the year
#50 in the Golfweek / Titlest Senior Amateur Rankings

Patrick O’Donnell
2009 OGA Golfer of the Year
2009 PNGA Senior Player of The Year
Low individual – 2009 OGA Team Championship
Round of 16 – 2009 US Senior Amateur Championship
Medalist – 2009 US Senior Amateur Qualifier
2009 PNGA Cup Team
2009 Senior Hudson Cup Team
2nd – 2009 Oregon Senior Open (Low Amateur)
Champion – 2009 Oregon Senior Men’s Stroke Play
2008 Hudson Cup Team
Champion – 2008 Oregon Senior Amateur
Champion – 2008 Oregon Senior Men’s Stroke Play
Tied 10th – 2008 OGA Tournament of Champions
Champion – 2007 Senior Men’s Stroke Play
2nd – 2008 Senior Men’s Stroke Play

Mid-Amateur Women:

Lara Tennant
Champion – 2009 Oregon Women’s Stroke Play
4th – 2009 OGA Tournament of Champions
Semifinals – PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
2009 Oregon USGA State Team
2009 PNGA Cup Team
2008 PNGA Cup Team
Champion – 2008 Oregon Mid – Amateur
2nd – 2008 Oregon Women’s Stroke Play
3rd – 2008 Oregon Women’s Team Championship
Runner up – 2007 Oregon Amateur Championship
Low Individual – 2007 OGA Women’s Team Championship
Champion – 2007 Oregon Women’s Stroke Play
Round of 64 – 2007 US Mid-Amateur Championship
2007 PNGA Cup Team
Champion – 2003 Oregon Women’s Mid-Amateur
Round of 64 – 2006 US Women’s Amateur Championship
2007 Oregon USGA State Team
2007 OGA Women’s Performance Points Leader

Loree McKay
Champion – 2009 PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur
Champion – 2009 PNGA Senior Women’s Team
Champion – 2009 Oregon Senior Women’s Stroke Play
Champion – 2009 Oregon Women’s Mid-Amateur
2nd – 2009 OGA Tournament of Champions
2009 PNGA Cup Team
2009 Oregon USGA State Team
2008 PNGA Cup Team
Medalist/ Runner Up – 2008 Oregon Senior Women’s Amateur
2nd – 2008 Oregon Senior Women’s Stroke Play
Champion – 2007 Oregon Senior Women’s Amateur
Champion – 2007 Oregon Mid-Amateur Champion
3rd – 2007 Oregon Senior Women’s Stroke Play
2007 USGA State Member
2007 OGA Senior Women’s Performance Points Leader

Senior Women:

Penny Saenguriaporn
Runner up – 2009 Oregon Senior Women’s Amateur
Tied 5th – 2009 Oregon Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship

Joan Edwards – Powell
Champion – 2009 Oregon Senior Women’s Amateur
Six Time - Oregon Senior Amateur Champion
Champion – 2008 Oregon Senior Women’s Amateur
Runner up – 2007 Oregon Senior Amateur
Member, PNGA Hall of Fame

Yada Shoots 69 As Portand State Vikings Post Best Score in Four Years

Las Vegas, NV - Freshman Britney Yada was at it again, shooting a three-under par 69 to lead her Portland State team in the first round of the UNLV Spring Invitational.

It was Yada’s second sub-par round in a week as she comes off her best performance as a Viking at the Fresno State Lexus Classic on Mar. 1-2.
In that tournament, she shot a six-over par 220, including a one-under par second-round 71.

On Monday, Yada bettered that single-round performance a three-birdie, no-bogey 69 at Boulder Creek Golf Club. Her three-under par score is the sixth in Portland State history and just one off the school-record of 68, shot by Taya Battistella in 2003.

Yada, who led her Vikings to a six-over par 294 on the first day of a three-day, 54-hole event, is tied for fourth, four shots behind Kayla Mortellaro of Idaho, who shot seven-under 65. In all, 16 of the 95 players competing broke par on Monday

The Vikings’ 294 score ties for the third-best single round in school history, and the best in four years. This, despite having just four available players for this week’s tournament.

Leading the tournament is host UNLV, which shot a team score of seven-under par 281. Idaho is three shots back at three-under 285.

Sophomore Tiffany Schoning also had a good day, shooting two-over par 74, her best score this season. She is currently tied for 29th. Junior Kalyn Dodge matched her season-best score with a 75. She is tied for 44th. Another junior, Alexia Brown shot 76 on Monday and is tied for 49th.

The UNLV Spring Invitational continues with 18-hole rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 54-hole event is being played at Boulder Creek Country Club, a 6,246-yard, par-72 course.

TEAM NOTES: Normally, five players compete for a four-player team score in collegiate golf tournaments, but injuries and other issues allowed the Vikings to travel only four players… Yada’s 69 is the best score by a Viking since Kayla Morinaga shot a second-round 69 in the 2007 Heather Farr/Colorado Memorial… there have now been 28 under par rounds in PSU history… Brown has shot four straight rounds in the 70s, and seven of the last eight… Schoning has shot eight of 10 rounds in the 70s during the 2009-10 season… Yada has shot no worse than 78 in her last seven rounds… Portland State is the only Big Sky Conference team competing at the UNLV Spring Invitational… six teams ranked in the top 50 are competing in the tournament - the Vikings stand ahead of three of them.

Team Scores
1. UNLV, 281
2. Idaho, 285
T3. Ball State, 289
T3. Missouri, 289
5. Texas Tech, 292
6. Baylor, 293
7. Portland State, 294
8. Nebraska, 295
T9. Wisconsin, 298
T9. Tulsa, 298
T9. BYU, 298
T12. Texas State, 300
T12. New Mexico State, 300
14. Texas, 302
15. Campbell, 303
16. Oregon State, 304
17. Wyoming, 310
18. Washington State, 311

Individual Scores
1. Kayla Mortellaro, Idaho, 65
2. Valdis Jonsdittar, Texas State, 67
3. Therese Koelbaek, UNLV, 68
T4. Britney Yada, Portland State 69
T4. Kristtini Cain, Ball State, 69
T4. Amanda Jacobs, Idaho, 69
T4. Kristen Schelling, UNLV, 69
T8. Lene Hafsten-Morch, Baylor, 70
T8. Hannah Lovelock, Missouri, 70
T10. seven players Tied at 71

Portland State Scores
T4. BriTney Yada, 69
T29. Tiffany Schoning, 74
T44. Kalyn Dodge, 75
T49. Alexia Brown, 76

Viking Women in 8th At Fresno State Classic

Fresno, CA - Freshman Britney Yada fired a career-low, one-under par 71 in the second round of the Fresno State Lexus Classic and is currently tied for sixth place, four shots back of the lead heading into Tuesday’s final round. UC Davis is in the lead, anchored by Oregon Women’s Amateur Champion, Amy Beth Simanton of Lake Oswego.

Yada became just the ninth Viking in history to shoot an under par round in competition. Her 74-71=145 score has her four shots behind Miki Ueoka of Santa Clara (69-72=141).

Meanwhile, Portland State shot its best single-round score of the 2009-10 season with a 12-over par 300 in round two.

The Vikings are in eighth place heading into Wednesday’s final round.
PSU shot 310-300=610 on Monday. The leader is 23rd-ranked UC Davis at 288-294=582. Thirty-seventh-ranked San Jose State is at 585.

The 14-team tournament, hosted by Fresno State, is being played at Copper River Country Club, a 6,043-yard, par-72 course.

Also playing well on Monday was junior Alexia Brown, who carded 79-74=153. The second round score was Brown’s best in four tournaments this season. She is tied for 28th among 74 golfers. Senior Danielle Ranallo is tied for 37th at 80-75=155. Sophomore Tiffany Schoning is tied for 50th with 77-81=158. Junior Kalyn Dodge shot 81-80=160 and is tied for 61st.

TEAM NOTES: The Vikings’ previous-best team score this year was a first-round 301 at the Heather Farr/Colorado Memorial… the Vikings are second among three Big Sky schools competing, one shot behind Sacramento State (609) and well ahead of Eastern Washington (670)... junior Stephanie Johns, last year’s leading scorer for Portland State (77.43), is missing her fourth tournament in five outings this season with a back injury… Yada’s 71 is the best round by a Viking since Johns’ shot a 70 in the 2008 Bulldog and Eagle Invitational… there have now been 27 under par rounds in PSU history. The school scoring record is 68 by Taya Battistella (2003).

Fresno State Lexus Classic
hosted by Fresno State
Copper River Country Club, Fresno, CA
Mar. 1-2, 2010
6,043 yards, par 72
14 teams/74 golfers

Team Scores
1. UC Davis, 288-294=582
2. San Jose State, 296-289=585
t3. Fresno State, 301-296=597
t3. Santa Clara, 292-305=597
5. UC Irvine, 302-301=603
6. Gonzaga, 302-302=604
7. Sacramento State, 308-301=609
8. Portland State, 310-300=610
9. Nevada, 306-305=611
10. Boise State, 310-304=614
11. Cal Poly, 308-311=619
12. Cal State Fullerton, 308-313=621
13. Seattle, 324-318=642
14. Eastern Washington, 331-339=670

Individual Scores
1. Miki Ueoka, Santa Clara, 69-72=141
T2. Cristina Corpus, San Jose State, 74-69=143
    Amy Simanton, UC Davis, 74-69=143
T4. Alice Kim, UC Davis, 70-74=144
    Hali Coppin, Fresno State, 75-69=144
T6. Victoria Fallgren, Gonzaga, 69-76=145
    Britney Yada, Portland State, 74-71=145
    Julie Shutler, Sacramento State, 72-73=145
    Madeleine Ziegert, San Jose State, 72-73=145
T10.Demi Runas, UC Davis, 72-74=146
    Katrina Delen Briones, San Jose State, 73-73=146

Portland State Scores
t6. Britney Yada, 74-71=145
t28. Alexia Brown, 79-74=153
t37. Danielle Ranallo, 80-75=155
t50. Tiffany Schoning, 77-81=158
t61. Kalyn Dodge, 81-80=161

Employment Opportunities

The Oregon Golf Association is currently accepting applications for three non-permanent seasonal positions at our Woodburn, Ore. offices. Individuals interested in either position should send a cover letter and resume to:

MAIL: Oregon Golf Association, 2840 Hazelnut Drive, Woodburn, OR 97071
EMAIL: info@oga.org

POSITION - COMPUTER ASSISTANT (NON-PERMANENT/SEASONAL)

JOB DESCRIPTION - The person in this role will help us continue to implement the Microsoft CRM (Customer Relationship Management) System.

The ideal candidate will have some familiarity using databases and spreadsheets. The position will require data entry, creation reports, views and workflows as well as testing integration with third-party applications such as Constant Contact.

AVAILABLE - March 2010

REQUIREMENTS
* Computer skills: (Preferably Windows XP or higher, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
* Knowledge of Microsoft CRM helpful. (including process such as creating views, workflows, reports)
* Knowledge of Database Management helpful.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Ability to learn new software programs
* Knowledge of golf and/or golf administration extremely helpful
* Strong work ethic and willingness to learn

POSITION - P.J. BOATWRIGHT INTERNSHIPS (NON-PERMANENT/SEASONAL) for the Oregon Golf Association and Oregon Junior Golf.

JOB DESCRIPTION - The P. J. Boatwright Intern will perform many administrative and managerial duties for the Oregon Golf Association’s various programs and activities. The Intern must be able to exercise initiative and independent judgment in completing the tasks necessary to the smooth, professional operation of the OGA.

This internship will provide extensive training and experience in tournament administration. It will also involve exposure to all aspects of golf administration including member services, handicapping, course rating, communications, media relations, junior golf, and general office administration. This position will provide a well-rounded experience for an individual seeking a career in golf administration.

AVAILABLE - MAY 2010

REQUIREMENTS
* Computer skills: (Preferably Windows XP or higher, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Knowledge of golf and/or golf administration extremely helpful
* Knowledge of GHIN’s Tournament Pairing Program (TPP) extremely helpful
* Ability to learn new software programs
* Strong work ethic and willingness to learn

Individuals interested in either position should send a cover letter and resume to:

MAIL: Oregon Golf Association, 2840 Hazelnut Drive, Woodburn, OR 97071
EMAIL: info@oga.org

2010 Evans Scholarship Selection Meeting

YOU’RE INVITED!*

Evans Scholarship Selection Meeting
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Portland Golf Club
Continental Breakfast: 8:00am
Interviews begin: 9:00am

* Please respond with your availability to Vickie Kain at 800-643-6410 or vickie@thepnga.org at your earliest convenience and no later than Friday, February 26.

Each year, the OGA, PNGA and the Western Golf Association work together to award several young scholars and Evans Caddie Scholarship. A portion of every OGA Member’s dues goes to help fund this scholarship in Oregon and SW Washington.

The WGA-sponsored Evans Scholars Foundation administers one of the nation’s largest privately funded college scholarship programs. The scholarship provides a one-year full tuition and housing scholarship renewable for four years - a current potential value exceeding $50,000 per scholar. Since 1930, more than 9,000 deserving young caddies have earned their college degrees through Evans Scholarships. In Oregon, there are presently more than 250 Evans Alumni.

The graduation rate for Evans Scholars (nationally) is 90 percent, far above the national average of under 50 percent for all students entering four-year colleges and universities. The average GPA for an Evans Scholar is 3.22. In 2008, eight (8) scholars received a sponsorship and in 2009 we awarded six (6) scholarships.

There are four primary criteria for scholarship grants. (1) Candidates, who are nominated by their golf clubs, must have a strong caddie record, with a minimum of two years of outstanding service. (2) Candidates must have an excellent high school academic record, achieving above a B average in college preparatory classes. Applicants must also provide ACT college test scores to further determine academic potential. (3) Candidates must demonstrate significant financial need. Over the years, the Evans Scholars Foundation has assisted thousands of young people from families with very modest financial means. (4) Finally, letters of recommendation from club and high school officials attest to the applicant’s high moral character.

Once a student meets this criteria they are evaluated and hopefully are invited to present themselves at an Evans Scholarship Selection meeting where those in attendance make a final determination whether to award a scholarship.

USGA To Hold PNW Green Section Conference at Waverely CC

The USGA, in conjunction with the Oregon Golf Course Superintendants association is hosting the Pacific NW Green Section Conference at Waverley CC on Monday, March 15.

The schedule for the conference includes the following presentations/discussions:

7:30am - Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00am - Organ-ick! The Bane of Good Growing and Playing Conditions
(Larry Gilhuly, USGA NW Director, Green Section)

8:45am - Mowing, Rolling and Green Speed – Oh My!
(Rob Golembiewski, Associate Professor, Oregon State University)

9:45am - Feeling Groovy – the Changes to the Rules in 2010
(John Spitzer, Assistant Technical Director, USGA Technical Department (Live Meeting)

10:30am - Unobtainium - Wanting Championship Conditions All the Time
(Derf Soller, NW Region Agronomist, USGA Green Section)

11:15am - Proper Course Marking – The Rules are the Rules!
(Craig Winter, Manager - Rules Education, OGA)

12noon Lunch

1:00pm - From the Fire to the Freezer – Damage to Putting Greens West of the Cascades
(Panel: Forrest Goodling, Portland GC, Steve Kealy Glendale CC, Rob Golembiewski, OSU)

2:00pm - The Value of Golf in Washington – Oregon’s Next!
(Paul Backman, Executive Director, Northwest Turfgrass Association)

2:30pm Adjourn

REGISTRATION DEADLINE - MARCH 8, 2010

-$55 per person (if paid by March 8, 2010)
-$60 per person (if paid after March 8, 2010)

Questions concerning the seminar should be directed to:
Larry Gilhuly Tel: (253) 858 2266 or email: lgilhuly@usga.org

GCSAA, PGA and CMAA EDU points available.

Harrington Leads Gateway Tour Money List

By Jon Levy - Staff Writer

With a birdie on Trilogy GC at Vistancia’s ticklish par-3 17th and a par on its challenging par-5 closer, 29-year-old, Scott Harrington (68/64/71-203, 13-under par) solidified the story of the Winter Series’ second week by slimly holding off Nathan Tyler (62/72/70-204) for a one-stroke victory, worth $16,000, in his first start of the year.

Click Here for the full story.

Bandon Dunes to host OGA Tour Championship

This season, an exciting new competition series will be administered by the OGA for golfers of all skill levels with three distinct competitive series (Individual, Partner and Senior) where competitors have the opportunity to earn points in order to qualify for the OGA Tour Championship. The OGA Tour will debut its 2010 schedule at Riverside G&CC on Monday, April 19 and will conclude with the inaugural OGA Tour Championship on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Bandon Dunes Golf Course.

All full-field events will have flighted divisions and net and gross prizes totaling over $2,000. Select events will have hole-in-one packages, including a trip to the Masters Tournament valued at $20,000. In addition to great prizes, golfers will earn points toward qualification into the season-ending OGA Tour Championship to be held on October 23 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Entry into each series event will be just $69. In addition to the competitive events listed below, the OGA will also hold non-competitive casual events, including events designed just for women.

Below is a listing of all currently confirmed competitive series event dates. For an up-to-date event calendar, or to register for events and for any further information, please visit www.oga.org.

Monday, April 19 – Riverside G&CC - Portland
Sunday, April 25 – Camas Meadows GC - Vancouver
Friday, May 21 – Diamond Woods GC – Monroe
Friday, May 28 – Heron Lakes GC (Great Blue) - Portland
Sunday, June 6 – Sandpines GL - Florence
Friday, June 11 – Awbrey Glen GC - Bend
Saturday, June 26 – Stone Creek GC – Oregon City
Saturday, July 17 – Michelbook CC - McMinnville
Wednesday, August 11 – The Reserve Vineyards & GC - Aloha
Thursday, August 26 – Quail Valley GC - Banks
Monday, September 13 – Creekside GC – Salem
Saturday, September 18 – Spring Hill CC - Albany
Sunday, September 26 – Sandpines GC - Florence

OGA Tour Championship
Saturday, October 23 – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon

The OGA Tour Championship will be a limited field invitational event to determine the 2010 OGA Tour Champions. After every OGA Tour event, the respective point list will be updated. Click here to view the OGA Tour Point List home page.

Northwest golf courses hit hard by winter

by Adam Bjaranson, KGW Sports
******

PORTLAND, Ore. —Casual golfers already have enough to worry about. Their stance, swing, and follow through are a few examples. Now, in Western Oregon and Southwest Washington, they may need to worry about the course’ condition.

“Environmental conditions are something we cannot control”, says Phil Lagao, President of the Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association.

The severe weather and record breaking low temperatures which hit our region last month has had a major impact on area golf courses, particularly the putting greens.

“If grass doesn’t naturally harden up, it becomes injured very easily with the sub-freezing temperatures. Because of that, the ‘poa’—which is the dominant grass grown on the greens in western Oregon—- it becomes very sensitive to cold snaps. And because of that, we saw a lot of winter damage”, says Rob Golembiewski, a turf grass specialist from Oregon State University.

Golembiewski added that it’s really a combination of mother nature, and human nature that will cure the damaged greens.

“We need warmer temperatures, and while the temperatures have warmed up a little this week and people want to get out and golf in the 60-degree weather, the grass doesn’t respond ‘that’ quickly. Soil temperatures are slow to respond, so people just need to be patient as we move forward”.

Right now, in mid-January, it’s the putting greens that are the major area of concern. Golfers probably won’t notice a change in the way each green plays, but the main concern is with the greens long-term health.

Lagao is confident that the regions course greens keepers will be able to come out of this looking better than ever.

“It’s hard work to produce these greens, but I have faith that our guys and gals can do it”.

And while the putting greens will eventually improve, the golfing public must be patient because turf recovery from freezing injury is generally very slow, even if growing conditions are favorable.

It’s likely that golfers will have to use “temporary greens” as an alternative. They’d like to eliminate traffic wear on the injured turf altogether.

“It’s a test for a lot of guys, but we have a lot of tools and information to battle this. And hopefully, we’ll come out better than when we went into it”, says Lagao.

Free Subscription to Global Golf Post

The OGA is offering an opportunity for a Free subscription to the Global Golf Post, a new weekly digital publication that launched its first issue this week. A subscription also serves as an entry in a sweepstakes to win an all expense paid trip for four to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in the fall of 2010. (No purchase necessary).

GLOBAL GOLF POST is the first designed-for-digital weekly golf news publication. It is published overnight Sunday and delivered to your email address before 7AM, 50-weeks per year. It will include a complete summary of the competitive game of golf as played the around the world the previous week, at both the professional and amateur levels. GLOBAL GOLF POST will also provide serious golfers with the latest equipment news and credible travel features.

GLOBAL GOLF POST will be distinguished by its insightful commentary, provided by an amazing group of talented, award winning golf journalists from around the world. Led by Brian Hewitt, formerly of the Golf Channel and Golfweek, this edit team represents the greatest assemblage of golf journalistic talent anywhere in the world.

In addition, for every member or friend that signs up to receive GLOBAL GOLF POST, the publisher will donate $1 to Oregon Junior Golf Fund, Inc.
Even better, when you sign up you’ll be entered into a sweepstakes to win an all expense paid trip for four to the extraordinary Bandon Dunes Resort next fall.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION AND YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO BANDON DUNES!

Warner Pacific Golf Launches Prep Coaching Clinic

PORTLAND, Ore. - Warner Pacific (Ore.) Athletics is pleased to announce a clinic for Oregon high school golf coaches titled “The Successful High School Coach – Techniques for Developing a Winning Program.”

The event will be presented in partnership with the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association and hosted at Trysting Tree Golf Course in Corvallis, Ore. Also endorsing the event are the Oregon Golf Association, the Golf Coaches Association of America, the PGA western section and Oregon State University.

Directing the clinic will be Warner Pacific head golf coach James E. Robertson. With over 20 years of experience, Robertson has coached at every level of college golf including NCAA Division I, PGA and LPGA Tours and has also coached international club layers.

“I am so pleased that all these groups have come together to make this clinic happen,” Robertson said. “For Warner Pacific to assemble this kind of support from the golf community is a real blessing and we have a first class clinic for our backers and the coaches who attend. It has also raised the profile of Warner Pacific College.”

In his time as the Knights’ head coach, Robertson observed a lack of resources for high school level golf coaches and started to think of ways to help.

“This clinic meets a real need in the high school coaching ranks,” Robertson said. “Many golf coaches in high school are doing it as a secondary part of their job and are not equipped to build good programs or develop young golfers. They really want to, but might not know where to start. This clinic will give them the tools they need to become better coaches and start helping their players develop good habits on the golf course.”

The event is scheduled for Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. PST. Cost is $35 by pre-registration or $40 at the door.

A schedule and registration form can be obtained from the OACA website: www.oregoncoach.org.

December Temperatures Wreak Havoc on Courses West of Cascades

In addressing the problems, the causes and the cures, the Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association commented that “Winter injury” is a term used quite often this time of the year in northern states and refers to damaged turf caused by any or all of the following: freezing injury, desiccation, ice cover, frost-heaving, traffic, and low temperature pathogens.

Numerous golf courses in Western Oregon and Washington have reported extensive putting green injury as a result of freezing injury and desiccation. In the past two weeks, similar damage has been observed at public, municipal, private and resort courses. A majority of the damage turf is associated with areas that have the deepest pure sand root zone mixes. Turf areas with native soils or modified sand profiles received very little to no damage. The native or modified sand profiles not only insulated the turf better during the freezing temperatures, but also retained more moisture compared to straight sand which aided during the high winds and winter desiccation.

It should be stated that nothing could have been done to avoid the injury that is being observed. To illustrate this point, creeping bentgrass, the most cold tolerant turfgrass species, can be taken from the field in June and is easily killed at about 32oF, while plants taken at peak hardiness in early January in northern climates can survive down to -35oF. Poa annua, which is the predominant grass grown on putting greens in the Pacific Northwest, is far less cold tolerant than creeping bentgrass. The fall of 2009 was mild leading up to the cold snap that we received in mid-December. Temperatures went from highs in the 50s down to below 10oF almost overnight and temperatures remained below freezing for almost a week. Poa annua is not adapted to survive these freezing temperature extremes when it does not harden off.

Poa damage was probably greater in part due to the overall health of the turf going into the winter months. In late-September many golf courses were hit with an unforeseeable outbreak of pythium which is more commonly found in areas where you have high temperatures along with high humidity for extended periods of time. No pythium outbreaks have ever been seen in the Pacific Northwest like what was observed in the Portland and Seattle areas this past fall. As a result of the Poa recovering from the pythium outbreak, it was in a weakened state heading into the winter months. It is well documented that maximizing energy production from healthy turfgrass photosynthesis in the fall is essential for winter hardiness. Weakened turf is much more susceptible to freezing injury and desiccation.

While putting greens will eventually improve, the golfing public and club memberships must be patient because turf recovery from freezing injury and desiccation is generally very slow even if growing conditions are favorable. In the meantime, there are things that golf courses superintendents can do including establishing temporary greens to eliminate traffic wear on the injured turf and bringing samples of injured turf indoors where it is warmer to determine how much of the turf stand is still alive. Once the extent of the damage is known, superintendents can determine the appropriate plan of action and hit the ground running once warmer temperatures reappear.

U of O’s Bristow Qualifies for LPGA

Cathryn Bristow, a former member of the Univeristy of Oregon Women’s Golf team, has become just the third New Zealander to gain entry to the LPGA Tour.

Bristow, who represented New Zealand at last year’s Espirito Santo world teams championship, finished in a share of 22nd place in the five-round final stage of the LPGA Q-School tournament in Florida.She missed by one shot in gaining her full playing rights to the LPGA which will limit automatic entry to the biggest tournaments on the circuit next year.

“At first when I saw I had missed by one shot for the top-20 I was disappointed. But once I had time to take it in and realise what it meant and that I had got my card for next year I was overwhelmed,” Bristow said.

“It’s pretty cool. I am very excited and to tell the truth it’s not sunk in yet. This is exciting for me personally but when I found out that I am just the third New Zealander to do it is great. To represent New Zealand on the Tour next year is doubly exciting and I’d like to think we will have a few more in the years to come.”

Bristow, 25, fired a final round even-par 72 for a five round total of one-over par at Daytona Beach GC in Florida, and produced some consistent performances in the tough five-rounder.

“I played really well this week. In the main I hit the ball well. The key was my putting though. I really putted exceptionally and made some key putts that kept me in there.”

The University of Oregon graduate said she had to keep calm in today’s vital final round.

“I thought about a score that I had to make. Then I just told myself that I could not think about that and put any ideas of that out of my mind. I was nervous but also excited about today. I just tried to enjoy it and have fun.”

The left hander returns home to Auckland next week to take some time out before preparing for a return to the United States next year, where she hopes to base herself in Houston, Texas.

Bristow, who competed in the inaugural Women’s New Zealand Open this year as an amateur, is keen to compete in the event which could be her professional debut at the new Pegasus course near Christchurch in February. “I’ve been following progress and heard about it. I would love to be able to play in it again. It was fantastic to be part of it in Clearwater and I think that experience playing in that environment helped me today.”

Bristow was New Zealand’s leading amateur last year, finishing fifth individual in the Queen Sirikit Asia Pacific Teams and was the leading New Zealander in the Espirito Santo tournament.

Safeway Classic Donates $1 Million for Local Children’s Charities for 4th Consecutive Year

Portland, Ore.—Tournament Golf Foundation (TGF) and the Safeway Foundation, today announced that local children’s charities would benefit from $1 million in proceeds from the 2009 Safeway Classic.

The 2009 Safeway Classic presented by Coca-Cola was the 38th consecutive year the LPGA tour event was brought to Portland by TGF. The event, originally called the Portland Classic, has now donated more than $14 million to local children’s charities since its inception in 1972, with $11 million coming in the past fourteen years with Safeway as title sponsor. 2009 was the fourth consecutive year and fifth in total that the tournament has generated at least $1 million for charity.

The Safeway Foundation and Tournament Golf Foundation will disburse the funds to local organizations in Oregon. The main charities from the 2009 event include Easter Seals of Oregon, the Evans Scholars Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland, Trillium Family Services, Police Activities League, the Children’s Course and Oregon Junior Golf. In addition, many other local children’s charities will be impacted with supplemental distributions from the 2009 tournament.

“Thanks to the incredible support of Safeway, our other sponsors, our volunteers and record crowds, we are pleased that we were able to meet our goals for giving from the 2009 tournament. The past year has been a difficult one for many non-profits and businesses and so we know that these donations come at a critical time for many organizations that are vital to the success of our event,” said Tom Maletis, President of TGF.

“The Safeway Foundation is proud to partner with TGF to provide this support to programs that impact such a wide variety of charities throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington,” added Steve Frisby, Safeway’s Portland Division President.

The tournament was held on the Ghost Creek course at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club for the first time in 2009. The move to the new venue was met with record crowds. Over 87,000 fans attended the 2009 tournament, breaking the attendance record set the previous year at Columbia-Edgewater by over 15,000. “2009 marked the fourth consecutive year of record crowds for the event,” said Maletis. “This is a testament to the growing popularity of the LPGA in the Northwest.”

The 2010 edition of The Safeway Classic, presented by Coca-Cola, will again be held at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club August 16-22, with the 54-hole tournament proper being played Friday-Sunday. The purse will be $1.5 million.

“Safeway is thrilled to continue our sponsorship of the Safeway Classic. The 2010 event will mark the 15th anniversary of Safeway as title sponsor,” said Frisby. “In addition to being a great event for fans, the money that is distributed to local charities in Oregon makes it even more rewarding for our organization.”

MJ Hur won the 2009 event in a two-hole playoff with Michelle Redman and Suzann Pettersen. The field for the 2010 event should be excellent, according to Maletis, coming two weeks after the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

TGF is looking for new volunteers to supplement the current group of over 1,000. Interested individuals can contact the TGF office at 503-626-2711 or visit the website at www.safewayclassic.com.

Tournament Golf Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable non-profit organization, is a local Portland area group of volunteers who donate their time and provide the primary operations for the annual event. Begun in 1972, the group is now comprised of 42 local individuals and couples.

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The Company operates 1,739 stores in the United States and Western Canada, and had sales of $44 billion in 2008. The Company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY. Safeway’s Portland division operates 116 stores in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

For more information on the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola and Tournament Golf Foundation, visit www. safewayclassic.com. For more information on Safeway Stores, visit www.safeway.com.

The Most Aggravating Things Golfers Say and Do (from the Superintendent’s Perspective)

The Most Aggravating Things Golfers Say and Do (from the Golf Course Superintendent’s Perspective)
USGA Green Section Webcast – Tuesday, January 12th, at 2:00 PM Eastern

Come on golfers - you can take it! Come join this lighthearted look at some of the most outlandish things golf course superintendents and USGA agronomists hear from our favorite people - our players. USGA agronomists Larry Gilhuly and Jim Moore have a combined 51 years experience on the USGA staff and are both very avid golfers. They will share the results of a survey conducted of the entire USGA agronomic staff and superintendents from all across the country regarding some of the suggestions, observations, and actions golfers have “shared” with us.

Below you will find the link to join our webcast. However, it is very important that you read the text below describing how to install Microsoft Live Meeting CLIENT (not the web access option) before you attempt to join the meeting. If you have not installed the Microsoft Live Meeting CLIENT software properly you will not be able to hear the audio during the meeting.

Join the meeting. https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usga/join?id=MDZB3H&role=attend

Audio Information:
To hear the webcast you will need speakers on your computer and Microsoft Live Meeting CLIENT installed. If you have a computer microphone, you will be able speak to others as well.

First Time Users:
To save time before the meeting, check your system to make sure it is ready to use Microsoft Office Live Meeting.

Troubleshooting:
Unable to join the meeting? Follow these steps:

1. Copy this address and paste it into your web browser: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usga/join
2. Copy and paste the required information:

Meeting ID: MDZB3H
Location: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usga

If you still cannot enter the meeting, contact support
(http://r.office.microsoft.com/r/rlidLiveMeeting?p1=12&p2=en_US&p3=LMInfo&p4=support)

____________________

The following information is provided to help you attend and enjoy USGA Green Section live on-line conferences. Please take the time to read this document prior to trying to attend the meeting.

Overview:
We all recognize the importance of staying up-to-date with trends in our game and industry. Historically, one of the most effective means of getting new information was to attend educational sessions at turfgrass conferences, USGA family meetings, etc. In today’s economy, it is likely that the cost of travel and time away from the workplace will greatly reduce the ability of many of us to attend as many meetings as we have in the past. Fortunately, there is now another option. On-line conferencing (also called “webcasting” or “web conferencing”) is a new and exciting tool to allow people to share information via the Internet without the need for costly travel. The USGA and the Green Section has implemented this technology to better serve the game and industry of golf.

What you need to attend:

1) You will need a reliable and constant broadband Internet connection to attend and enjoy the online meeting. Slow, intermittent connections will not work. Dial-up and satellite connections will not work. Wireless connections are prone to periodic disconnects that you might not notice when browsing the web or working with e-mail. However, during our online meeting a constant “stream” of audio is sent to your computer. Should your connection be broken even for a very short period of time, you may experience an interruption in the audio.

2) You must use a PC (not a Mac) and Microsoft Internet Explorer as your web browser.

3) The USGA uses Microsoft Office Live Meeting to “broadcast” our on-line meetings and educational sessions. For you to attend one of our Live Meetings, you will need to download and install the Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 Client. This program must be installed on the computer that you will use to attend the meeting (see the next step).

Installing Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 Client
As mentioned above, you will need to install the Live Meeting Client on the computer you will use to attend the meeting. Please do the following well before the meeting date.

1) When you click the “check your system” link below, you will be taken to a Microsoft site that will check your system to see if you have the latest version of the Live Meeting Client installed. If not it will walk you through the installation. (Note: DO NOT choose the web access option during installation. You will not be able to hear if you do.) Be sure to watch for messages in Internet Explorer to allow the installation. Once installed, you will be taken to a test Live Meeting site that indicates you have successfully installed Live Meeting (in various languages). If you see this site you are all set. When the date and time for the Green Section webcast arrives, all you will have to do is click the link to join the meeting.

2) Here is the link to check your system . Please do this well before the meeting date. It is very difficult and sometimes impossible to help you through the installation once the meeting time approaches.

Joining the Meeting
Once you have successfully installed the Live Meeting 2007 Client as discussed above you are ready to join the Green Section live webcast. Note that you may not be able to join the webcast until within 30 minutes of the start time.

Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble installing the Live Meeting Client:

1) Be sure you have permission to install programs onto your computer.

2) Be sure to watch the information bar near the top of Internet Explorer during installation for messages. Depending on your security settings, you may have to repeatedly allow Microsoft to install plug-ins such as Active X. We have used Live Meeting extensively and have not had any problems so don’t hesitate to allow the installation.

If you are having trouble with your audio during the meeting:

1) As mentioned above, any interruption in your connection can result in your audio being disconnected. Attendee’s should be able to reconnect through the Voice & Video pane. Click on the Voice & Video tab at the top of the page. You will see a small phone with an “X” next to it. Click on the phone to disconnect. Then, click on it again to “Join Audio”. Depending on your connection, you may have to do this multiple times throughout the meeting. If you did not install the Live Meeting Client, and instead selected the web access option, you will not receive audio. You will need to exit and click on check your system to repeat the installation.

If you are having other problems feel free to contact either the USGA tech support group at 800.222.8742 (ask for the PC help desk) or call Jim Moore at 254.848.2202 (jmoore@usga.org).

James F. Moore
Director, Green Section Construction Education Program

Two Golfers Sign Letter of Intent with OSU Women’s Golf

CORVALLIS - The Oregon State women’s golf program has signed two golfers to National Letters of Intent head coach Risë Lakowske announced Friday.

The 2010-11 recruiting class consists of Lauren Sewell (Renton, Wash./Kentridge HS) and Seshia-Lei Telles (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin HS).

“I am thrilled to add Seshia and Lauren to the OSU women’s golf team,” Lakowske said. “We feel that these are two of the best players in this signing class and two of the best junior players in the Pacific Northwest. They represent what is potentially the best class we’ve recruited in the recent history of our program, and we are very proud of the fact that they are both from the Pacific Northwest.”

Sewell is a two-time qualifier for the Callaway Junior World Championships and played in the USGA Junior Girls’ Championships in 2009. She is a two-time 4A district champion and was the 2008 South Puget Sound League Player of the Year. Sewell also played on the 2007 and 2008 Girls’ Junior America’s Cup team for the state of Washington and won the 2006 Washington Junior State Championship.

“They are a great fit for our program,” Lakowske said. “Lauren is very mature in her golf game and is very advanced in the mental aspects of her game, and Seshia has one of the best short games I’ve seen, both are things we work on daily with our teams.”

“Oregon State was a natural choice for me,” Sewell said. “I want to play in the Pac-10, I really like the coaches and the girls on the team and everything about OSU. It is just a great fit for me.”

Telles is a three-time qualifier to the Callaway Junior World Championships and is a three-time member of the Oregon Girls’ Junior America’s Cup team. She is a two-time winner of the Peter Jacobsen Junior Championship, and won the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) Junior Stroke Play Championship in 2009 and the OGA Junior Championship in 2008. Telles has been first team all-state each of the last three years with top 10 finishes at the 6A state championship each season.

“I’m very excited to get the best player in the class of 2010 from our state in Seshia,” Lakowske said. “We really want to continue to bring the top talent in Oregon to Oregon State.”
“I really bonded with the team and coaches when I was on my official visit,” Telles said. “They were all very welcoming. I’ve loved OSU ever since.”

OGA Honors Its Volunteers for 2009

WOODBURN, ORE. (November 4, 2009) – Each year the Oregon Golf Association (OGA) recognizes the contributions made by its volunteers for their contributions to the organization and the game of golf. “Volunteers are the life blood of the game, and giving back to the sport is simply what it’s all about,” noted OGA CEO Barb Trammell. “We are blessed to have a large group of devoted volunteers caring enough about the game of golf to give countless hours of their time to help us ensure that the services we provide, whether it’s a championship or golf course rating, are conducted at the highest level,” she added.

Awards are presented to honorees representing volunteers in championships, junior golf and course rating with one named overall volunteer of the Year. In 2006, the OGA renamed the Volunteer of the Year Award in honor of Bill Worden, an OGA volunteer who was the tragic victim of a traffic accident while on a course rating trip.

This year marked the first full season with Gretchen Yoder taking over responsibilities as the Manager of Course Rating and Handicapping. “It was a year of learning and many lessons were learned the hard way,” said Yoder. “There are so many people who have helped me to be able to accurately and efficiently perform the duties of Course Rating. I could not have done it them, especailly those who stepped up to grow our program.”

The first volunteer honoree was awarded to Gail Phillips of Eugene, Ore. “Gail has been there to help, sometimes on very short notice, for most of this year’s rating events,” noted Yoder. “She started volunteering for the OGA several years ago, now serving as one of our Team Leaders. She has been integral to teaching our new course rating volunteers as well as me.” Phillips is a member of Eugene Country Club.

Gene Chambers of Aloha, Ore., who plays at Meriwhether National, was named an honoree for his efforts with the Tournament Assisting Group (TAG) Team. Previously a basketball referee and bringing a great knowledge and background of sports to the TAG team, in his second full year on the team, he worked more than 10 days in 2009. Gene is always eager to do more and learn more even showing up at a tournament that he wasn’t scheduled at just so he could ride around with a rules official to learn more about becoming a rules official. He is the type of person who volunteers because he enjoys it, and not for any personal gain.

“Every year we seem to have a new volunteer who is a real go-getter, trying to do as much as possible to assist the association,” said Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations. “It seems appropriate that we recognize a Rookie of the Year, and this inaugural award goes to Jesse Castillo of Crewsell, Ore.” Castillo retired from Qwest last year allowing him time to be one of the most active volunteers. He’s volunteered at both adult and junior tournaments but also is a member of the OGA Course Rating team as well. He also volunteered his time assisting the Pacific Northwest Golf Association at their championships, as well as any other place or time his services could be put to use. After playing in the Oregon Senior Men’s Stroke Play Championship and missing the cut, the underterred Castillo came back to volunteer on the final day of the competition. At Emerald Valley Golf Club where he plays, he marshals, helps with their Junior Golf program, and is a resident handyman fixing carts and broken plumbing and any odd jobs that need to get done there!

Finally, Owen Osborne of Black Butte Ranch, Ore. was named the overall Volunteer of the Year. Osborne has worked on the OGA Course Rating team for seven years and this year was one of the Team Leaders who attended the annual USGA Course Rating Calibration Seminar along with Yoder.

“This is the fourth one I’ve been to, and there’s no doubt about it, you learn something every time you come,” said Osborne. “[The USGA staff and Course Rating Committee members] try to make it so there’s something unusual that you have to think about.”

Owen Osborne (pictured on the right) leads a Course Rating Team.
He is shown here filling out a Form 1.

The purpose of a Calibration Seminar is to get consistency. Consistency in course rating helps ensure that everyone’s USGA Handicap Index translates to any golf course, regardless of the association was responsible for rating or where the course is located. Based on the USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of a particular set of tees at a golf course, a golfer’s Handicap Index converts to a Course Handicap, representing the number of strokes needed to play to the level of a scratch player – or the Course Rating of a particular set of tees. The purpose of having a Handicap Index is to make the game fair and equitable for everyone who plays.

“I can’t say enough about how much Owen has helped me this year,” said Yoder. “From attending the Calibration seminar to helping me with the nuts and bolts of scheduling teams for course rating, he has been there, just a call or email away. He has taken new volunteers under his wing and helped me to teach local Course Rating seminars.”

About the OGA

The Oregon Golf Association (OGA) was formed in 1924 to conduct the Oregon Amateur golf championship which included both men and women. The OGA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit amateur golf association licensed by the United States Golf Association as a regional governing body for Oregon and SW Washington with responsibilities including the rating and measuring of all golf courses as well as administering and overseeing the USGA Handicap System®. We have relationships with nearly 100% of the regulation-length courses in the region – both public and private. OGA member clubs are comprised of nearly 50,000 avid golfers responsible for more than 2 million rounds of golf in the region amounting to more than 75% of all rounds played. Not including the money spent on equipment and apparel, our members have a direct annual economic impact exceeding $250 million.

In addition to its core business, the OGA also has subsidiary businesses including the OGA Golf Course, one of the premiere public daily fee courses in the region and a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary as well as Oregon Junior Golf Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation which is renowned for administering one of the best competitive junior golf developmental programs in the nation.

PNGA Names 2009 Players of the Year

Federal Way, Wash. (Tuesday, November 3, 2009) – The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has announced their 2009 Player of the Year recipients. The PNGA Player of the Year candidates are nominated by the various state and provincial golf associations that comprise the PNGA (Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington), and are selected by a vote of the PNGA Championship Committee and members of the Northwest Golf Media Association. Awards are annually given in the six different categories: Men’s, Women’s, Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’. The awards are officially presented at the PNGA Annual Meeting in the spring.

The 2009 winners include Nick Taylor of Abbottsford, B.C. who received the Men’s award; Sue Kim of Langley, B.C. received the Women’s award; Patrick O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore. received the Senior Men’s award; Jackie Little of Port Alberni, B.C. received the Senior Women’s award; Zach Wanderscheid of Goldendale, Wash. received the Junior Boys’ award; and Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash. received the Junior Girls’ award.

Nick Taylor, who was also named Player of the Year in 2008, picked up right where he left off and continued to impress in 2009, marking one of the most extraordinary men’s amateur seasons by a Northwest player in recent memory. Taylor won five NCAA tournaments, finished runner-up in both the NCAA West Regional and Pac-10 Championship, finished 9th overall in the NCAA Championship, and received both NCAA First Team All-American and Pac-10 co-Player of the Year honors while playing for the University of Washington. The season was just getting started when his college season ended. Taylor would go on to win the prestigious Sahalee Players Championship, finish runner-up at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, finish 3rd in the Canadian Men’s Amateur, and place 36th at the U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, NY, receiving the medal for Low Amateur. Taylor is currently the Royal and Ancient’s No. 1 ranked amateur golfer in the world.
Sue Kim has been awarded the Women’s Player of the Year honor for her remarkable success this year. Kim’s accomplishments include winning the gold medal at the Canada Summer Games, finishing runner-up at both the Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Amateur and Canadian National Women’s Tour Quebec, a 3rd place finish at the B.C. Women’s Amateur, a 4th place finish at the Canadian National Future Links Pacific Championship, and a very impressive round of 64 finish at the Ladies British Amateur Championship.

Patrick O’Donnell solidified his Senior Player of the Year honor with a most impressive 2009 season. His accomplishments include winning the Oregon Senior Stroke Play Championship, a runner-up finish at the Oregon Senior Open, and reaching the quarterfinals of the Oregon Senior Amateur. O’Donnell’s most remarkable finish this year was advancing all the way to the round of 16 at the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship at Beverly Country Club in Chicago, Ill.

Jackie Little, also a 2008 Player of the Year recipient, made another strong statement in the senior ranks during her incredible 2009 season in which she won five championships – the Royale Cup National Women’s Senior Amateur, PNGA Senior Women’s Amateur, Alberta Senior Women’s Amateur, and the B.C. Zone 6 Women’s and Senior Women’s Amateur.. Little also finished runner-up at the B.C. Women’s Mid-Amateur, 4th at the B.C. Senior Women’s Amateur, and had an impressive finish at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur making it to the round of 32.

Zach Wanderscheid had a remarkable summer, starting his season with medalist honors at the U.S. Open Local qualifier held at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash. He would go on to have impressive showings at the PNGA Men’s Amateur, making the round of 32, and finishing runner-up at the Washington Junior Golf State Championship. Wanderscheid finished the season by winning the PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship at the University of Idaho Golf Course in Moscow, Idaho.

Now a 16-year-old, Erynne Lee had another fantastic season and is very deserving of her second consecutive PNGA Junior Girls’ Player of the Year award. Lee made the Round of 16 at the 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur and the Round of 32 at the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship. Her AJGA finishes were equally impressive, winning the Kathy Whitworth Invite, finishing runner-up at the Junior at the Traditions, 3rd at the Stockton Junior Classic, and 8th at the PING Invitational. Lee also had a 7th place finish at the Junior PGA Championship and was recently named a second team Rolex Junior All-American.

Each year, the PNGA conducts 15 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors throughout the Northwest. PNGA championships are recognized as among the finest amateur events in North America. Each has a long and unique history with some of the greatest names in golf as past champions, including Joanne Carner, Fred Couples, and Tiger Woods, to name just a few.

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) was founded on February 4, 1899. It is a 501(c)3 charitable, international amateur golf association dedicated to preserving the true spirit of the game of golf and promoting activities beneficial to golfers in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.

The original purpose of the PNGA was to conduct a regional amateur championship for men and women. For more than 110 years, the Association has been a pioneer in developing competitions and services and its mission has grown and evolved. Today, the PNGA remains committed to being a truly “regional” organization providing benefits and services to its members and member clubs throughout the Northwest.

Pacific NW PGA Section Announces Its Annual Awards

Olympia, Wash. (October 29, 2009) – Gordon Tolbert of Oregon City, Ore. has been named the 2009 Pacific Northwest Section Golf Professional of the Year. Tolbert is a 13-year member of the PGA and is the owner of Total Golf Management Services which manages Stone Creek Golf Course in Oregon City, Ore.

The PGA Golf Professional of the Year Award is the highest honor paid to a PGA Professional. The honoree is chosen based on his or her outstanding leadership abilities, exceptional performance as a PGA Professional and distinguished service to the Association and to the game of golf. The award is presented every year at the Pacific Northwest Section PGA annual meeting that was held in Portland, Ore.

Tolbert has a distinguished record of service to the Pacific Northwest Section PGA as well as with the Oregon Chapter PGA. This is Tolbert’s first time receiving the award. He is currently one of ten directors that make up the Board of Directors for the Pacific Northwest Section, PGA as well as the Oregon Chapter PGA’s President.

A number of other Oregon region professionals were also honored including Todd O’Neal, Bruce Furman and Bryan Tunstill.

Todd O’Neal, General Manager of Orchard Hills CC, Washougal, Wash. was named the 2009 Junior Leader of the Year. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions in the promotion and development of junior golf and for reflecting the ideals of those who work with youth.

Bruce Furman, a PGA Professional at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore. was been named the 2009 Teacher of the Year. Furman, a 29-year member of The PGA, was honored for dedication to teaching and his outstanding service as a golf instructor. This is Furman’s first time receiving the Section’s Teacher of the Year.

Bryan Tustill, a 14-year member of The PGA of America and a PGA Professional at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Ore., was selected by the PNW PGA Section as the 2009 recipient of the Bill Strausbaugh Award. This award is presented to those PGA members who, by their day-to-day efforts, have made significant contributions through mentoring of PGA Professionals. The award also considers the integrity and character of the PGA member, their service to the Association, and their involvement in community and charitable activities. Tunstill was honored for his efforts at the Section level as well as the Oregon Chapter.

Other Pacific Northwest Section PGA awards handed out were: Horton Smith Award, Scott Smith, Olympia C&GC, Olympia, Wash; Merchandisers of the Year; Craig Hunter, Sand Point CC, Seattle, Wash. (Private), Brian Kruhlak, Avalon Golf Links, Burlington, Wash.(Public); Tom Davidson, Circling Raven GC, Worley, ID (Resort); Sterling Cut Glass Player of the Year, Ryan Benzel, Battle Creek GC, Tulalip, Wash; Yamaha Senior Player of the Year, Jeff Coston, Semiahmoo G&CC, Blaine, Wash.; Assistant Player of the Year, Scott Erdmann, Oswego Lake CC, Lake Oswego, Ore.

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA was established in 1922, and serves more than 1,250 members throughout Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Western Montana and Alaska.

Children’s Course Founder Awarded 2009 Purpose Prize

Duncan Campbell, founder of Friends of the Children, was awarded a 2009 Purpose Prize today, which honors social entrepreneurs over 60 who are using their experience and passion to take on society’s biggest challenges.

The Purpose Prize® recognizes 10 individuals a year, whose encore careers have focused on solving seemingly intractable problems facing our communities. There were over 1,000 nominations for this year’s Purpose Prize® awards. Campbell won a $50,000 award.

“My own experience as a child with parents struggling with alcohol abuse, a father in and out of prison and living in a very distressed community, fueled my lifelong commitment to improving the lives of other neglected children,” explained Campbell. “I have the opportunity—- and, I believe, the responsibility—- to inspire others to make use of their own resources, whether time, talent or treasure, to help make real changes that will affect people’s lives in a positive, meaningful way.”

After a thorough review of the science about what makes young people with daunting challenges succeed, Campbell launched Friends of the Children in Portland, Oregon in 1992. Research confirmed what Campbell already suspected—-children develop resilience when they have a consistent caring adult in their lives. For some children who grow up like Duncan Campbell, that person is found outside their families.

“Our model works. We select children who few think have potential and we make that long-term no-matter-what commitment for 12 years, ” explained Campbell. “I am honored to be selected for such a significant award and will use the funds to help further support the Friends model.”

Friends of the Children takes children who are beginning to tumble through a cycle of poorly performing schools, decaying neighborhoods and complicated families and guides them to another track by pairing them with a caring, committed adult mentor, called a “Friend.” The Friend spends four hours a week with that child, every week, starting in kindergarten or first grade through high school graduation. Each Friend is a salaried, full-time professional whose job it is to be the child’s advocate, support their academic progress, and cultivate their gifts and talents.

“The low attrition rate for both mentor and child underscores that the bond of this relationship is powerful….and can move even the most challenged children forward,” said Campbell. Friends of the Children now serves over 700 youth in Boston, Cincinnati, Klamath Falls (OR), New York City, Portland (OR ), San Francisco and Seattle.

“We need to move beyond short term fixes and realize that a long-term commitment to our most vulnerable children generates a significant future return on our investment,” remarked Campbell. “In today’s troubled economic climate, we give our children something that does not decrease in value: unconditional love.”

Professionals Best The Amateurs Again at Annual Hudson Cup Matches

NORTH PLAINS, ORE. (Friday, October 22, 2009) – With both the Open and Senior Divisions all square at 5 points each after yesterdays four-ball and foursome matches, the outcome was up for grabs at the 61st edition of the Hudson Cup Matches which concluded today at Pumpkin Ridge – Witch Hollow, in North Plains, Ore.

With pounding rain facing the players in today’s singles matches, it was the professional who again came out on top besting the amateurs 11 points to 9 in one of the closest competitions in recent years. The result was similar in the 18th edition of the Senior Hudson Cup matches as the professionals also came out on top with an 11½ to 8½ margin of victory.

Michael Haack was given the Charles Congdon Award, which recognizes the outstanding amateur in the matches as determined by a vote of the professional team. Congdon was a professional at Tacoma Country & Golf Club froim 1935 to 1965 and was instrumental in the formation of the Pacific Northwest Section.

Rob Gibbons was presented the Larry Lamberger Award, which recognizes the outstanding professional in the matches as determined by a vote of the amateurs. Lamberger was a head professional at Portland Golf Club from 1948 to 1974 and was one of the founders of the Hudson Cup Matches.

For the Seniors, the Bill Eggers Award was presented to Doug Potter. The award, which recognizes the outstanding senior amateur as determined by a vote of the senior professionals, honors Eggers who played on the PGA TOur in the early 1960’s. A member of 15 Hudson Cup Teams, Eggers was a head professional at Rose City, Gresham and Charbonneau.

Finally, Mark Gardner was bestowed the Bob McKendrick Award. The award, which recognizes the outstanding senior professional in the matches, is named in honor of McKendrick who had served as head professional at Oswego Lake CC for 40 years and who played on 19 Hudson Cup teams.

The Hudson Cup, named in honor of Robert Hudson, is a 54-hole Ryder-cup style contest featuring some of the most notable amateur golfers competing against PGA professionals representing Oregon and Washington. Hudson was a Portland-based businessman who owned one of the nation’s leading wholesale grocers and was a member at Portland Golf Club. He is credited as being responsible for resurrecting the Ryder Cup Matches between the U.S. and Great Britain after World War II.

It is doubtful the Ryder Cup Matches would have resumed had Hudson not come forward to fund the British team. The U.S. Team featured Byron Nelson and Sam Snead, the only members of the 1937 squad, as well as Jimmy Demaret, Herman Barron, Dutch Harrison, Ben Hogan, Keiser, Lloyd Mangrum, Ed Oliver, and Lew Worsham. It was the first U.S. team selected via a points system. Taking the cue from Hudson, the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain began rallying on its own to build funding for this event.

In 1949, the Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA decided to honor Hudson by creating a team match-play contest pitting the top 10 club professionals against the 10 leading amateurs in the Northwest.

Hudson, upon learning of the event, immediately insisted on footing the bill which he continued to do through 1972. When he no longer could do so, the Section took over responsibility for the event along with financial assistance by the Washington State Golf Association, the Oregon Golf Association, and the Pacific Northwest Golf Association.

61st HUDSON CUP MATCHES
Friday Results
* Professionals denoted with (p)

Brian Thornton (p) def. Joel Dahmen - 3 & 2
Casey McCoy (p) def. Eric Fiskum - 3 & 2
Jim Dunlap def. Darren Black (p) - 2 Up
Erik Hanson def. Tom Sovay (p) - 5 & 4
Mike Schoner (p) def. Zach Wanderscheid - 1 up
Rob Gibbons (p) def. Chris Polski - 2 & 1
Michael Haack def. Brad Martin (p) - 3 & 2
Matt Newcombe def. Ryan Malby (p) - 1 Up
Jeff Coston (p) def. Chad Sawyer - 4 & 3
Ryan Benzel(p) def. Tyler Matthews - 1 up

Singles Total - Professionals = 6; Amateurs = 4
Two Day Total - Professionals = 11; Amateurs = 9

18th SENIOR HUDSON CUP MATCHES

Pat O’Donnell def. Scott Krieger (p) - 4 & 2
Louie Runge (p) def. Randy Mahar - 2 & 1
Kent Brown def. Fred Haney (p) - 4 & 3
Mike Gove (p) def. Larry Daniels - 1up
Tom Carey (p) def. Chris Maletis - 3 & 2
Gary Lindeblad (p) vs. Keith Crimp - All Square
Doug Potter def. Jerry Johnson (p) - 1 Up
Steve Bowen (p) def. Michael Kloenne - 1 up
Mark Gardner (p) def Byron Patton - 2 & 1
Bruce Stewart (p) def Tom Brandes - 4 & 3

Singles Total - Professionals = 6½; Amateurs = 3½
Two Day Total - Professionals = 11½; Amateurs = 8½

Annual Hudson Cup Battle Underway

NORTH PLAINS, ORE. (Thursday, October 22, 2009) – A tight battle between the teams comprised of Oregon & Washington Amateurs against their professional counterparts is underway at the annual Hudson Cup matches being contested at Pumpkin Ridge - Witch Hollow in North Plains, Ore.

This is the 61st Men’s and 18th Senior Men’s contest with ten amateurs competing against ten professionals representing Oregon and Washington in Four-ball and Foursomes matches. The Professionals have dominated this event in most years, but this year the Amateurs and Professionals are all square at 5 poins each. Individual Stroke Play matches will determine the final outcome tomorrow.

Each 10-man team consists of five amateurs and five professionals from their respective regions. Team members are selected on the basis of performance points earned in Sectional and national tournaments. Points are compiled by the Section, the WSGA and the OGA.

During World War II, when the PGA of America was trying to keep its Tour alive, Hudson stepped up to the plate and offered to underwrite a 72-hole open tournament with a purse of $10,000. That tournament, known as the Portland Open was won by Sam Snead in 1944. In 1945, Ben Hogan won the event at set a par-72 scoring record of 27-under-par 261. He went on to sponsor Portland Opens in 1948 and 1949 and well as the 1946 PGA Championship and the 1955 Western Open, all at Portland Golf Club. He was also honored as the first chairman of the PGA Advisory Committee.

In 1949, the Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA decided to honor Hudson by creating a team match-play contest pitting the top 10 club professionals against the 10 leading amateurs in the Northwest.

61st HUDSON CUP MATCHES
Thursday Results
* Professional Teams denoted with (p)

Foursomes
Joel Dahmen/Zach Wanderscheid def. Brian Thornton/Tom Sovay (p) - 2up
Jeff Coston/Rob Gibbons (p) def. Jim Dunlap/Eric Fiskum - 1up
Darren Black/Brad Martin (p) def.  Tyler Matthews/Erik Hanson - 5 & 4
Ryan Benzel/Mike Schoner (p) def. Chad Sawyer/Matt Newcomb - 4 & 3
Chris Polski/Michael Haack def. Ryan Malby/Casey McCoy (p) - 1 Up

Foursome Total : Professionals = 3; Amateurs = 2

Four-Ball
Tyler Matthews/Zach Wanderscheid def. Jeff Coston/Tom Sovay (p) - 2 & 1
Brad Martin/Rob Gibbons (p) def. Jim Dunlap/Eric Fiskum -  3 & 2
Chad Sawyer/Michael Haack def. Caset McCoy/Mike Schoner (p)- 2 & 1
Brian Thornton/Ryan Malby (p) def. Chris Polski/Matt Newcomb  - 2up
Joel Dahmen/Erik Hanson def. Ryan Benzel /Darren Black - 3 & 1

Four-ball Total - Professionals = 2; Amateurs = 3

First Day Total: Professionals = 5; Amateurs = 5

18th SENIOR HUDSON CUP MATCHES

Foursomes
Louie Runge/Bruce Stewart (p) def. Kent Brown/Chris Maletis - 4 & 2
Tom Brandes /Doug Potter def. Steve Bowen/Gary Lindeblad (p) - 1 Up
Jerry Johnson/Scott Krieger (p)  vs. Pat O’Donnell/Gay Davis  - All Square
Fred Haney/Mark Gardner (p) def. Larry Daniels/Keith Crimp  - 4 & 3
Byron Patton/Mike Kloenne def. Tom Carey/Mike Gove (p) - 3 &

Foursome Total : Professionals = 2 ½ ; Amateurs = 2 ½

Four-Ball
Kent Brown/Chris Maletis def. Louie Runge/Steve Bowen (p) - 1 Up
Gary Lindeblad/Bruce Stewart (p)  vs. Tom Brandes – Pat O’Donnell - All Square
Jerry Johnson/Fred Haney(p) vs. Byron Patton – Doug Potter - All Square
Mike Gove/Scott Krieger(p) vs. Keith Crimp/Mike Kloenne - All Square
Tom Carey/Mark Gardner (p) def.  Jerry Cundari/Larry Daniels - 6 & 5

Four-Ball Total : Professionals = 2 ½ ; Amateurs = 2 ½

First Day Total: Professionals = 5; Amateurs = 5

In Memorium: “Bobs” Sullivan 1921-2009

Roberta “Bobs” Sullivan
1921-2009

The Oregon Golf Association lost a long time friend and former employee when Mrs. Roberta Sullivan passed away Friday, October 16, 2009 at the age of 88.

“Bobs” as she was known to her many friends first became deeply involved involved with the OGA when she for came to work for the organization in the mid-sixties. In addition to her myriad office duties, the indefatigable “Bobs” nursed two generations through an ever expanding junior golf program until she retired in 1989. Included in her contributions to junior golf was instigating the Eddie Hogan Cup Team Matches which have been held annually at Riverside G&CC since 1969.

Services for Mrs. Sullivan will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 24, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Milwaukie. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., November 1st, at The Springs Retirement Center which is located at 14404 SE Webster Road.

Maletis Captures Inaugural Players Championship

Milwaukie, Ore. (Sunday, October 18, 2009) - Not taking his first round lead for granted, Chris Maletis, 61, of Portland, Ore. fired an impressive 4-under par 68 to capture the Inaugural OGA Players Championship at Waverley Country Club in Milwaukie, Ore.

The OGA Players Championship is the first championship of its kind in the nation. OGA Director of Tournament Operations Brent Whittaker noted, “this championship pits the top players in the region against each other regardless of their respective divisions.” A total of 25 players were invited to play in the event including the top 10 Men from the OGA Performance Points lists along with the top 5 players from the Senior Men’s, Women’s and Senior Women’s Points lists.

While players were paired according to their respective divisions in the first round, the were repaired based on score for the final round. With players in the different divisions teeing off from a different set of tees in order to help equalize the field, there were numerous mix and match groupings in the final round.

The only player making a run at Maletis was Jesse Schutte of Florence, Ore. who started his round with a 4-stroke deficit. He quickly closed that gap posting a 4-under par 32 on his opening nine. With a birdie on the 10th, there was some thought that Schutte might threaten the course record, but he cooled off for the rest of his round shooting even par on the next six holes. He missed an opportunity for eagle on the 17th and had to settle with a birdie. An errant shot into the hazard on the closing hole ended any chance he would have for the title.

Maletis, currently ranked 40th in the nation according to Golfweek’s Senior Amateur Rankings, closed his round with back-to-back birdies to ensure that there would be no doubt as to whom was most worthy of the crown. He finished the tournament with a three stroke cushion with a score of 9-under par 67-68—135 to become the Players Champion.

Awards were also handed out to the top player representing each division. Schutte claimed the prize in the Men’s Division, Pat O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore. was given the Senior Men’s trophy, University of Oregon junior Kendra Little took the women’s crown and Joan Edwards-Powell of Portland, Ore. topped the Senior Women.

Final Results
Inaugural OGA Players Championship
Waverley Country Club, October 17-18, 2009

View Interactive Results

Men - 6,542 Yards
Senior Men - 6,396
Women - 5,713 Yards
Senior Women - 5,622 Yards

1 Chris Maletis (Portland, Ore.)  67-68—135
2 Jesse Schutte (Florence, Ore.)  71-67—138*
3 Chris Polski (Eugene, Ore.)  68-71—139
4 Robbie Ziegler (Canby, Ore.)  72-68—140
T5 Kendra Little (Eugene, Ore.)  71-70—141*
Jim Dunlap (Tigard, Ore.)  72-69—141
7 Andrew Vijarro (Bend, Ore.)  69-73—142
8 Pat O’Donnell (Clackamas, Ore.)  72-71—143*
9 Eric Fiskum (Salem, Ore.)  75-70—145
T10 Isaiah Telles (Tualatin, Ore.)  77-69—146
Chad Sawyer (West Linn, Ore.)  74-72—146
T12 Lara Tennant (Portland, Ore.)  73-74—147
Jack Dukeminier (Eugene, Ore.)  76-71—147
14 Mike Kloenne (West Linn, Ore.)  76-75—151
15 Joan Edwards-Powell (Portland, Ore.) 79-78—157*
16 Brie Stone (Veneta, Ore.)  81-77—158
17 Denny Taylor (Gladstone, Ore.)  79-80—159
T18 Loree McKay (Portland, Ore.)  80-80—160
Linda Jeffrey (Corvallis, Ore.)  78-82—160
T20 Rick Dimick (Eagle Point, Ore.)  84-81—165
Rachel Whittington (Lake Oswego, Ore.) 81-84—165
Penny Saenguraiporn (Lake Oswego, Ore.) 82-83—165
23 Nancy Woodke (Eugene, Ore.)  83-87—170
24 Charisse Spada (Portland, Ore.)  81-DQ—DQ
25 Doug Banks (Portland, Ore.)  75-WD—WD

Maletis Takes First Round Lead at Inaugural Players Championship

Chris Maletis, 61, of Portland, Ore. currently ranked 40th in the nation according to Golfweek’s Senior Amateur Rankings shot a stellar 5-under par 34-33—67 to take the first round lead at the inaugural OGA Players Championship at Waverley Country Club in Milwaukie, Ore.

“As far as we know, The OGA Players Championship is the first championship of its kind in the nation,” said OGA Director of Tournament Operations Brent Whittaker. “This championship pits the top players in the region in their respective division as identified by the OGA performance points lists.” Invitiations are sent to the top ten Men to compete along side the top 5 Senior Men, top 5 Women and top 5 Senior Women. If a player declines the invitation, the next person on the performance points list is offered the opportunity to compete.

After the first round of play, players will be repaired based only on score so players from different divisions will play along side each other. Each division plays from tees to equalize the field, with the top finisher being declared the Players Champion.

Maletis, who won the Senior Washington Open earlier in the year, takes a 1-stroke lead over Chris Polski of Eugene, Ore and a 2-stroke lead over Andrew Vijarro of Bend, Ore. Vijarro won the Oregon Amateur this year and almost repeated as Oregon Men’s Stroke Play Champion. Polski, the Oregon Amateur runner-up, qualified to play in the U.S. Amateur Public Links. Both represented Oregon on the Morse Cup team at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

Also in the hunt and shooting under par are Kendra Little of Euguene, Ore. and Jesse Schutte of Florence, Ore. Little was runner-up at both the Oregon Women’s Amateur and Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur and she qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Schutte, who intends to turn professional at some point in the future, recently attempted to qualify for the Nationwide Tour, but withheld his declaration to rescind his amateur status pending the outcome of the qualifier where he missed the cut.

First Round Results - Inaugural OGA Players Championship
Waverley Country Club, October 17-18, 2009

Men - 6,542 Yards; Senior Men - 6,396; Women - 5,713 Yards; Senior Women - 5,622 Yards

1 Chris Maletis  Portland, Ore.   34-33—67 -5
2 Chris Polski  Eugene, Ore.   36-32—68 -4
3 Andrew Vijarro  Bend, Ore.   33-36—69 -3
T4 Kendra Little  Eugene, Ore.   34-37—71 -1
T4 Jesse Schutte  Florence, Ore.   37-34—71 -1
T6 Jim Dunlap  Tigard, Ore.   35-37—72 E
T6 Robbie Ziegler  Canby, Ore.   36-36—72 E
T6 Pat O’Donnell  Clackamas, Ore. 37-35—72 E
9 Lara Tennant  Portland, Ore.   38-35—73 +1
10 Chad Sawyer  West Linn, Ore. 38-36—74 +2
T11 Eric Fiskum  Salem, Ore.   38-37—75 +3
T11 Doug Banks  Portland, Ore.   40-35—75 +3
T13 Jack Dukeminier  Eugene, Ore.   38-38—76 +4
T13 Mike Kloenne  West Linn, Ore. 40-36—76 +4
15 Isaiah Telles  Tualatin, Ore.   40-37—77 +5
16 Linda Jeffrey  Corvallis, Ore. 39-39—78 +6
T17 Joan Edwards-Powell Portland, Ore.   39-40—79 +7
T17 Denny Taylor  Gladstone, Ore. 41-38—79 +7
19 Loree McKay  Portland, Ore.   41-39—80 +8
T20 Brie Stone  Veneta, Ore.   41-40—81 +9
T20 Charisse Spada  Portland, Ore.   39-42—81 +9
T20 Rachel Whittington Lake Oswego, Ore. 43-38—81 +9
23 Penny Saenguraiporn Lake Oswego, Ore. 40-42—82 +10
24 Nancy Woodke  Eugene, Ore.   42-41—83 +11
25 Rick Dimick  Eagle Point, Ore. 41-43—84 +12

Oregon Senior Amateur Champions Crowned

PHOTO GALLERY

West Linn, Ore. (Friday, October 16, 2009) - Epic battles to extra holes marked the finals matches at the 26th Oregon Senior Amateur at The Oregon Golf Club in West Linn, Ore.

The Men’s championship was contested between Erik Myrmo, 60, of Eugene, Ore and Jack Schnieder, 52. of Oregon City, Ore. and neither player was able to take command of the match. Schneider went up on the first hole, but while he never was down in the match, at no time was he able to extend his lead to more than 1up.

For the most part, Myrmo was hitting shots. It was a steady day fairways and greens. But his nemesis was putting. On the other side, Schneider was struggling all day with his driver, regularly pushing his shots. But he was able to maintain control over the match with stellar putting. “I probably had 4 to 5 lipouts,” said Schneider. Myrmo added, “He almost made about 8 putts.”

Both agreed that the pivotal hole of the match was the 400-yard. par 4, 11th which Myrmo finally birdied to bring the match all square. Slow and steady was Mymo’s mantra, and when it counted most, he was able to take the match.

“It was a tough course,” said Myrmo. The greens were perfect, but if you didn’t hit it perfectly, you could put yourself in a position for lots of 3-putts.”

The match was all sqaure through 16 holes, then on the par-3 17th, Myrmo missed the green and his chip left him 10-feet from the hole. Schnedier was on in regulation and easily made his two putts to par and go 1-up with 1 to play.

“I had been pushing all my drives,” said Schneider. “All I wanted to do was hit it hard and not push it again.” Unfortunately, he did it again, sending his drive to the trees. A fortunate richochet put his ball in the fairway just 170-yards from the tee. He hooked his next shot into the hazard on the left. By the time he was on the green, he was laying four to Myrmo who was just off the green in two resulting in the match going extra holes.

“I was determined not to push it again,” said Schneider. This time it was another hook into the left rough on the par-5, 560-yard hole. Myrmo was just on the right side of the fairway, hitting his second shot 50-yards short of the green. His approach hit the green about 10-feet short of the green, but his ball spun back leaving him 30-feet short of the hole.

Schneider unfortunately sent his approach into the right greenside bunker and the daunting task of getting up and down from a fried-egg lie. “I thought I hit a great bunker shot,” said Schneider, who saw his ball run through the green. He left his come back shot short, then missed the putt to give Myrmo the title. It was the first and only time in the match that Myrmo was up despite playing his round at only 2-over par.

In the Women’s Championship finals, Oregon Golf Club Women’s Champion Penny Saenguraiporn, 56, of Lake Oswego, ore. was taking on her second Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famer of the week after dispatching of 1972 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion the day earler.

This time she was taking on Joan Edwards-Powell who had won this event five previous times out of the six times she played the event. Like the Men’s match, no one took command of the match, but this time it was back and forth with Saenguraiporn going 1up for the first time on the 7th hole. “She was putting well all day,” said Edwards-Powell. “If it was a 5-footer, 10-footer, 12-footer, it was in.”

Saenguraiporn retorted, “She’d say she cannot putt on these greens, but she was good enought to beat me!”

“Whatever happened today was a bonus. I didn’t decide to play until last week. I just wanted to represent the club. If you play well but don’t win, that’s ok. It’s just an honor to have been able to compete well against this true champions,” she added. Edwards-Powell added, “anytime you go to sudden death, anything can happen. Every shot is critical. I focused hard to make sure I hit the shots I needed. I had a 6-footer left to win, and it was the first putt I hit well all day!”

The Oregon Senior Amateur is for amateur golfers 50 years of age and older with a USGA Handicap Index limit of 10.0 or less for Men and 22.4 or less for Women. The event began in 1984 when contests for Senior Women wre separated from the Oregon Amateur due to the popularity of the event. Three years later the inaugural Men’s Senior Amateur was created.

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT FINALS
Erik Myrmo (Eugene, Ore.) def. Jack Schneider (Oregon City, Ore.) - 19th Hole

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT FINALS
Joan Edwards-Powell (Portland, Ore.) def. Penny Saenguraiporn (Lake Oswego, Ore.) - 19th Hole

MEN’S 1ST FLIGHT FINALS
Mark Wilson (Oakland, Ore.) def. Neil Zurakowski (Beaverton, Ore.) - 2 up

WOMEN’S 1ST FLIGHT FINALS
Barbara Gee (Vancouver, Wash.) def. Helen Rusty Beckel (Milwaukie, Ore.) - 4 & 2

MEN’S 2ND FLIGHT FINALS
Roger Stalick (Portland, Ore.) def. Ron Langlitz (McMinnville, Ore.) - 7 & 6

MEN’S 3RD FLIGHT FINALS
Mike Walker (LaGrande, Ore.) def. Steve Rhinefrank (Portland, Ore.) - 4 & 3

Finalists Determined at 26th Oregon Senior Amateur

West Linn, Ore. (Thursday, October 15, 2009) - Upsets were the norm for the day as the semi final matches were contested in all flights at the 26th Oregon Senior Amateur at The Oregon Golf Club in West Linn, Ore.

The day began with the Men’s Championship Flight quarterfinal matches featuring club favorite Dick Otis of Sherwood, Ore. who had dispatched medalist Michael Kloenne the day before. But Otis, who was playing injured, struggled throughout the round ultimately conceeding the match at the turn to Erik Myrmo of Eugene, Ore.

In his afternoon semi-final match, Myrmo, 60, battled Jim Pliska, 51, of Gresham, Ore. to the final hole. On the long 449-yard par-4 finishing hole, Pliska had a 40-footer for birdie which he missed. Myrmo, on the other hand, hit driver, 5-wood to 2-feet and Pliska conceeded the putt and the match.

On the lower half of the Championship flight bracket, Jack Schneider, 52, of Oregon City, Ore. was taking his third run at the Senior Amateur title. In his senior debut two years ago, he finished as runner-up. This year, his run is a bit of a surprise as he is playing with a knee injury that prevents a full follow-through. It’s been bothering him enough that he almost withdrew from the championship last week.

Schneider’s quarterfinal match against Denny Taylor of Gladstone, Ore. went to extra holes after both players finished 18-holes at 2-over par. Taylor, however, short-sided his approach shot on the extra hole and struggled to save bogey while Schneider easily advanced with a par. Then Schneider, who is affectionately known as “Hammer”, put the hammer down in his semi-final match against Davison, winning handily at 6 & 5 after shooting 1-under par over the 13-holes played.

In the Women’s Championship semifinals, Oregon Golf Club Women’s Champion Penny Saenguraiporn, 56, of Lake Oswego, ore. played steady all day and patiently defeated medalist Mary Budke 2 & 1, shooting even par on the back nine to close out the match. The longer hitting Budke, who is an emergency room physician in Eugene, Ore., shot a championhip-best 4-under par 68 in stroke play, but today felt she was digging herself a hole when she was not able to capitalize with birdies on the 491-yard, par-5 opening hole and short par-4s on the second and third hole. While the match was all-square through 11 holes, that little mental edge along with a little local knowledge gave advantage and the match to Saenguraiporn.

She’ll take whatever she can into tomorrow’s final against 5-time champion and Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Famer Joan Edwards-Powell, 64, of Portland, Ore. Edwards-Powell narrowly survived a scare in her semi-final match, winning on the 19th hole over Rachel Whittington of Lake Oswego, Ore.

The Oregon Senior Amateur is for amateur golfers 50 years of age and older with a USGA Handicap Index limit of 10.0 or less for Men and 22.4 or less for Women. The event began in 1984 when contests for Senior Women wre separated from the Oregon Amateur due to the popularity of the event. Three years later the inaugural Men’s Senior Amateur was created.

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT SEMIFINALS
Erik Myrmo (Eugene, Ore.) def, Jim Pliska (Gresham, Ore.) - 1up
Jack Schneider (Oregon City, Ore.) def. Ken Davidson (Clackamas, Ore.) - 6 & 5

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT QUARTERFINALS
Erik Myrmo (Eugene, Ore.) def, Dirk Otis (Sherwood, Ore.) - By Concession
Jim Pliska (Gresham, Ore.) def. Mark Mason (Hood River, Ore.) - 3 & 2
Ken Davidson (Clackamas, Ore.) def. Patrick O’Donnell (Clackamas, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Jack Schneider (Oregon City, Ore.) def. Denny Taylor (Gladstone, Ore.) - 19th Hole

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT SEMIFINALS
Penny Saenguraiporn (Lake Oswego, Ore.) def. Mary Budke (Eugene, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Joan Edwards-Powell (Portland, Ore.) def. Rachel Whittington (Lake Oswego, Ore.) - 19th Hole

MEN’S 1ST FLIGHT SEMIFINALS
Mark Wilson (Oakland, Ore.) def. Dave Coffin (Gresham, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Neil Zurakowski (Beaverton, Ore.) def. John Sandberg (McMinnville, Ore.) - 3 & 2

WOMEN’S 1ST FLIGHT SEMIFINALS
Helen Rusty Beckel (Milwaukie, Ore.) def. Kim Oh (Washougal, Wash.) - By Default
Barbara Gee (Vancouver, Wash.) def. Dona Melrose (Beaverton, Ore.) - 3 & 2

MEN’S 2ND FLIGHT SEMIFINALS
Roger Stalick (Portland, Ore.) def. James Gibbons (Wilsonville, Ore.) - 21st Hole
Ron Langlitz (McMinnville, Ore.) def, Jim Ferguson (Portland, Ore.) - 2 & 1

MEN’S 3RD FLIGHT SEMIFINALS
Mark Ranallo (West Linn, Ore.) def. Steve Rhinefrank (Portland, Ore.) - 3up
Mike Walker (LaGrande, Ore.) def. Al Preusch (Portland, Ore.) - 5 & 4

Kloenne Ousted At Oregon Senior Amateur

Click Here to view All Match Trees.

West Linn, Ore. (Wednesday, October 14, 2009) - Match play in the Women’s Division began today and continued in the Men’s Division as the fields begin to be paired down at the 26th Oregon Senior Amateur at The Oregon Golf Club in West Linn, Ore.

Many of the matches in the Men’s Division were highly competitive with several having to go extra holes. The upset of the day came from Oregon Golf Club member Dick Otis of Sherwood, Ore. who sent medalist Michael Kloenne of West Linn, Ore. home early with a 2 & 1 victory. Kloenne, had been on a tear shooting under par in both prior rounds, but struggled in conditions that were significantly better than his opening round match. Although he came out of the gate wuickly with a birdie and 1up lead on the first hole, he soon found the bogey train and finished the opening 9-holes down 1 at 5-over par. While he was able to bring the match to all square on the 13th hole, double bogeys on the next two holes sealed his fate.

Defending Champion Pat O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore. also advanced to the quarterfinals with four birdies and a 4 & 3 win over Doug Banks of Portland, Ore. as did 2007 runner-up Jack Schneider of Oregon City, Ore. Schneider had one of the better rounds of the day, shooting 4-over par on the 16 holes he played.

On the distaff side, there were no surprises in the Women’s field as all the perennial leaders advanced. Mary Budke of Eugene, Ore. had the easiest of days, as she advanced by default over Kim Oh of Washougal, Wash. She will face Oregon Golf Club Champion, Penny Saenguraiporn of Lake Oswego, Ore. in the semi-finals. The other semi-final will match defending and 5-time champion Joan Edwards-Powell of Portland, Ore. against Rachel Whittington of Lake Oswego, Ore.

Edwards-Powell won the event in three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999 and again in 2006 and 2008. In 2003 she was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame. Budke, an eight time Oregon Amateur champion, 1972 U.S Amateur Champion in 1972, Curtis Cup team member and captain of the victorious 2002 Curtis Cup team, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

The Oregon Senior Amateur is for amateur golfers 50 years of age and older with a USGA Handicap Index limit of 10.0 or less for Men and 22.4 or less for Women. The event began in 1984 when contests for Senior Women were separated from the Oregon Amateur due to the popularity of the event. Three years later the inaugural Men’s Senior Amateur was created.

Licensed by the United States Golf Association, and serving as guardian of the game of golf for this region, the Oregon Golf Association was formed in 1924 with the original purpose of conducting the Oregon Amateur Championship. Today, the organization has developed into a multi-faceted non-profit entity comprised of more than 300 public, private and associate golf clubs throughout Oregon and SW Washington with more than 50,000 members.

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Mary Budke (Eugene, Ore.) def. Kim Oh (Washougal, Wash.) - By Default
Penny Saenguraiporn (Lake Oswego, Ore.)def. Helen Rusty Beckel (Milwaukie, Ore.) - 4 & 3
Joan Edwards-Powell (Portland, Ore.) def. Dona Melrose (Beaverton, Ore.) - 5 & 3
Rachel Whittington (Lake Oswego, Ore.) def. Barbara Gee (Vancouver, Wash.) - 3 & 2

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Dirk Otis (Sherwood, Ore.) def. Michael Kloenne (West Linn, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Erik Myrmo (Eugene, Ore.) def. Brad Skreen (West Linn, Ore.) - 3 & 2
Jim Pliska (Gresham, Ore.) def. Steve Robinson (Tigard, Ore.) - 20th Hole
Mark Mason (Hood River, Ore.) def. Mike Gleason (Portland, Ore.) - 5 & 4
Patrick O’Donnell (Clackamas, Ore.) def. Doug Banks (Portland, Ore.) - 4 & 3
Ken Davidson (Clackamas, Ore.) def. Gaylord Davis (Portland, Ore.) - 19th Hole
Denny Taylor (Gladstone, Ore.) def. David Lydell (Aloha, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Jack Schneider (Oregon City, Ore.) def. Mark Reed (West Linn, Ore.) - 4 & 2

MEN’S 1ST FLIGHT
Mark Wilson (Oakland, Ore.) def. Jim Rideout (Vancouver, Wash.) - 6 & 4
Dave Coffin (Gresham, Ore.) def. Tom Prevost (McMinnville, Ore.) - 4 & 2
Neil Zurakowski (Beaverton, Ore.) def. Peter Degroff (Tigard, Ore.) - 1up
John Sandberg (McMinnville, Ore.) def. Mike Dewitt (Gresham, Ore.) - 3 & 2

MEN’S 2ND FLIGHT
Roger Stalick (Portland, Ore.) def. Vern Jones (Westport, Wash.) - 2 & 1
James Gibbons (Wilsonville, Ore.) def. George LoPiparo Jr. (Portland, Ore.) - 5 & 4
Jim Ferguson (Portland, Ore.) def. Howie Smith (Portland, Ore.) - 6 & 5
Ron Langlitz (McMinnville, Ore.) def. Bill Andres (Tualatin, Ore.) - 19th Hole

Match Play Commences at 26th Oregon Senior Amateur

West Linn, Ore. (Tuesday, OCtober 13, 2009) - Match play commenced in the Men’s Division of the Oregon Senior Amateur under inclement conditions as the temperature had difficulty rising above the mid-40s along with gusting 20+ mph winds and rain.

Medalist Michael Kloenne of West Linn, Ore. was first to tee off at 7:30am as the weather just began to turn, but was able to quickly dispatch of Jim Alder of Beaverton, Ore. 5 & 4. Like his stroke play qualifying round, Kloenne was 1-under par for the day.

Jim Pliska of Gresham, Ore. eagled his final hole of the day to send 2007 Champion George Walker of Portland, Ore. packing after a 7 & 5 drubbing. Walker hardly had a chance, as Pliska was 4-under par through 13 holes while Walker was 9-over.

Buzz Campion of Lake Oswego, Ore. gave defending Champion Pat O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore. a little scare as O’Donnell escaped with a 2 & 1 win while shooting 1-under par for the day.

But the most surprising result came with Gaylord Davis of Portland, Ore. sending 3-time champion and nationally ranked senior amateur Chris Maletis of Portland, Ore. home with a 3 & 2 win. Maletis struggled all day, scoring 8-bogeys and only 1 birdie.

In the Women’s Division, the second day of stroke play qualifying came to an end with Mary Budke remaining atop the leaderboard to earn medalist honors. The inclement weather clearly took its toll as Budke followed up her incredible first round 68 with an 82, but was still far ahead of the pack. Defending champion Joan Edwards-Powell decided to skip the qualifying rounds, and opted to take the number two seed into tomorrows matches.

WOMEN’S DIVISION
STROKE PLAY QUALIFYING
1   Mary Budke          Eugene, OR       68-82—150 +6
2   Rachel Whittington Lake Oswego, OR 86-81—167 +23
3   Penny Saenguraiporn Lake Oswego, OR 86-84—170 +26
4   Helen Rusty Beckel Milwaukie, OR    86-91—177 +33
5   Barbara Gee         Vancouver, WA    91-91—182 +38
6   Dona Melrose        Beaverton, OR    89-95—184 +40
7   Kim Oh              Washougal, WA    91-94—185 +41
8   Kathleen Wallace    Molalla, OR      100-95—195 +51
9   Sung Clark          Vancouver, WA    101-100—201 +57

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
Michael Kloenne (West Linn, Ore.) def. Jim Alder (Beaverton, Ore.) - 5 & 4
Dirk Otis (Sherwood, Ore.) def. Paul Johnson (Medford, Ore.) - 3 & 1
Erik Myrmo (Eugene, Ore.) def. Dain Pape (Mt. Shasta, Calif.) - 2up
Brad Skreen (West Linn, Ore.) def. Jim Shindler (Milwaukie, Ore.) - 6 & 5
Jim Pliska (Gresham, Ore.) def. George Walker (Portland, Ore.) - 7 & 5
Steve Robinson (Tigard, Ore.) def. Gregg Guernsey (Vancouver, Wash.) - 4 & 3
Mark Mason (Hood River, Ore.) def. Jeff Longtain (West Linn, Ore.) - 4 & 3
Mike Gleason (Portland, Ore.) def. Greg Vislocky (Lake Oswego, Ore.) - 5 & 4
Patrick O’Donnell (Clackamas, Ore.) def. Buzz Campion (Lake Oswego, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Doug Banks (Portland, Ore.) def. Paul Gulick (Tualatin, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Ken Davidson (Clackamas, Ore.) def. Marty Morlan (Ashland, Ore.) - 3 & 2
Gaylord Davis (Portland, Ore.) def. Chris Maletis (Portland, Ore.) - 3 & 2
David Lydell (Aloha, Ore.) def. Brian Little (Portland, Ore.) - 3 & 2
Denny Taylor (Gladstone, Ore.) def. Randy Mahar (Portland, Ore.) - By Default
Jack Schneider (Oregon City, Ore.) def. David Hendricks (Oregon City, Ore.) - 4 & 2
Mark Reed (West Linn, Ore.) def. Joe Vaughn (Portland, Ore.) - 2up

1ST FLIGHT
Jim Rideout (Vancouver, Wash.) def. Terry Pierce (Milwaukie, Ore.) - By Default
Mark Wilson (Oakland, Ore.) def. Jon Carroll (Eugene, Ore.) - 3 & 2
Dave Coffin (Gresham, Ore.) def. Steve Tessmer (Hood River, Ore.) - 4 & 3
Tom Prevost (McMinnville, Ore.) def. Kim Wenger (Eugene, Ore.) - 1up
Neil Zurakowski (Beaverton, Ore.) def. Dan Harmon (West Linn, Ore.) - 2up
Peter Degroff (Tigard, Ore.) def. Schuyler Wallace, Jr. (West Linn, Ore.) - 1up
John Sandberg (McMinnville, Ore.) def. Jim Madden (Dallas, Ore.) - 6 & 4
Mike Dewitt (Gresham, Ore.) def. Glen Clark (Medford, Ore.) - 2up

2ND FLIGHT
Vern Jones (Westport, Wash.) def. Anthony Bella (Aurora, Ore.) - 3 & 1
Roger Stalick (Portland, Ore.) def. John Rose (Vancouver, Wash.) - 7 & 5
George LoPiparo Jr. (Portland, Ore.) def. Doug Rosario (Portland, Ore.) - 3 & 1
James Gibbons (Wilsonville, Ore.) def. Michael McAfee (West Linn, Ore.) - 2 & 1
Howie Smith (Portland, Ore.) def. Roger Taylor (Springfield, Ore.) - By Default
Jim Ferguson (Portland, Ore.) def. James McCabe (West Linn, Ore.) - 1up
Ron Langlitz (McMinnville, Ore.) def. Jim Wolfston (West Linn, Ore.) - By Default
Bill Andres (Tualatin, Ore.) def. Gerald Perkel (Lake Oswego, Ore.) - 2 & 1

Men’s Championship Field Determined at 26th Oregon Senior Amateur

WEST LINN, ORE. (Monday, October 12, 2009) – Defending Oregon Senior Men’s Amateur Champion and reigning Oregon Senior Men’s Stroke Play Champion Patrick O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore. shot a respectable 4-over par 76 to be among the top 8 finishers during the stroke play qualifying stage of the 26th Oregon Senior Amateur held on the 6,759-yard layout at The Oregon Golf Club in West Linn, Ore.

Medalist honors went to Michael Kloenne of West Linn, as he shot the only under par round of the day finishing with a 36-35—71. Kloenne recently returned from playing in the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship and was named to represent Oregon at the Hudson Cup next week.

Only those who were among the top 32 players advanced to the championship flight for match play and the opportunity to vie for the title of the best senior golfer in Oregon.

As a result of stroke play qualifying, players are seeded for the match play portion of the competition according to their qualifying score. The Men’s field is divided into four flights including a 32-player championship match play flight. O’Donnell, as defending champion chose to be seeded second in the Championship flight despite his finish in qualifying where as a result of his finish, he would have been seeded fifth.

This year, the Women’s Division will play 36-holes in the stroke play qualifying stage to determine seeding for match play. Leading the way is 8-time Oregon Amateur champion Mary Budke of Eugene, Ore. with an incredible 4-under par 35-33—68 on the 5,586-yard layout. A bogey on the par-3 4th hole was the only minor blemish in her near perfect round today. Defending champion Joan Edwards-Powell of Portland, Ore. chose to not participate in the stroke play qualifying stage and will take the number two seed in match play.

The Oregon Senior Amateur is for amateur golfers 50 years of age and older with a USGA Handicap Index limit of 10.0 or less for Men and 22.4 or less for Women. The event began in 1984 when contests for Senior Women were separated from the Oregon Amateur due to the popularity of the event. Three years later the inaugural Men’s Senior Amateur was created.

Although its only original purpose was conducting the Oregon Amateur Championship when it was estblished in 1924, the Oregon Golf Association of today has developed into a multi-faceted non-profit entity comprised of more than 300 public, private and associate golf clubs throughout Oregon and SW Washington with more than 50,000 members.

Licensed by the United States Golf Association, and serving as guardian of the game of golf for this region, the goal of the Oregon Golf Association is to foster the enhancement and expansion of the game of golf by protecting the game’s integrity and valued traditions, as well as promoting opportunities for all that want to play by leading in the development of member and information services.

Spectators are welcome to attend, and admission is free. Spectators must, however, abide by The Oregon Golf Club’s dress code policy.

MENS DIVISION
6,759-yards, Par 72

1   Michael Kloenne       West Linn, OR           36-35—71 -1
2   Brian Little          Portland, OR            38-36—74 +2
T3 Jim Pliska            Gresham, OR             37-38—75 +3
T3 Mark Mason            Hood River, OR          40-35—75 +3
T5 Patrick O’Donnell     Clackamas, OR           41-35—76 +4
T5 David Hendricks       Oregon City, OR         37-39—76 +4
T5 Marty Morlan          Ashland, OR             40-36—76 +4
T5 Erik Myrmo            Eugene, OR              41-35—76 +4
T9 Brad Skreen           West Linn, OR           41-36—77 +5
T9 Chris Maletis         Portland, OR            39-38—77 +5
T9 Mark Reed             West Linn, OR           38-39—77 +5
T9 Greg Vislocky        Lake Oswego, OR         37-40—77 +5
T9 Gregg Guernsey        Vancouver               39-38—77 +5
T14 Denny Taylor          Gladstone, OR           38-40—78 +6
T14 Doug Banks            Portland, OR            39-39—78 +6
T14 Paul Johnson          Medford, OR             40-38—78 +6
T14 Dirk Otis            Sherwood, OR            40-38—78 +6
T14 Paul Gulick           Tualatin, OR            36-42—78 +6
T14 Randy Mahar           Portland, OR            38-40—78 +6
T20 Steve Robinson        Tigard, OR              40-39—79 +7
T20 Mike Gleason          Portland, OR            40-39—79 +7
T20 Joe Vaughn           Portland, OR            41-38—79 +7
T23 Gaylord Davis         Portland, OR            41-39—80 +8
T23 Jim Shindler          Milwaukie, OR           41-39—80 +8
T23 Dain Pape             Mt. Shasta, CA          43-37—80 +8
T23 Ken Davidson          Clackamas, OR           41-39—80 +8
T27 Jeff Longtain         West Linn, OR           42-39—81 +9
T27 Jack Schneider        Oregon City, OR         38-43—81 +9
T29 George Walker         Portland, OR            44-38—82 +10
T29 David Lydell          Aloha, OR               43-39—82 +10
T29 Buzz Campion          Lake Oswego, OR         38-44—82 +10
T29 Jim Alder             Beaverton, OR           39-43—82 +10
T29 Mark Olsen            Beaverton, OR           43-39—82 +10
T29 Terry Pierce          Milwaukie, OR           43-39—82 +10
T35 Neil Zurakowski       Beaverton, OR           43-40—83 +11
T35 John Sandberg        McMinnville, OR         41-42—83 +11
T35 Steve Tessmer         Hood River, OR          41-42—83 +11
T38 Dick Bartholomew      Wilsonville, OR         44-40—84 +12
T38 Mike Dewitt          Gresham, OR             45-39—84 +12
T38 Tom Prevost           McMinnville, OR         40-44—84 +12
T38 Peter Degroff         Tigard, OR              43-41—84 +12
T38 Jon Carroll          Eugene, OR              43-41—84 +12
T43 Mark Wilson           Oakland, OR             43-42—85 +13
T43 Schuyler Wallace, Jr. West Linn, OR           42-43—85 +13
T43 Glen Clark            Medford, OR             39-46—85 +13
T43 Steve Smith           Portland, OR            40-45—85 +13
T43 Brad Carey Sr.        Lake Oswego, OR         47-38—85 +13
T43 Kim Wenger            Eugene, OR              39-46—85 +13
T49 Dave Coffin           Gresham, OR             41-45—86 +14
T49 Jim Madden            Dallas, OR              43-43—86 +14
T49 Mike Gustafson        Eugene, OR              43-43—86 +14
T49 Dan Harmon           West Linn, OR           43-43—86 +14
T49 Peter Muhlbach        West Linn, OR           46-40—86 +14
T49 Jim Rideout           Vancouver, WA           43-43—86 +14
T55 Vern Jones           Westport, WA            41-46—87 +15
T55 Roger Taylor          Springfield, OR         44-43—87 +15
T55 Ron Langlitz          McMinnville, OR         42-45—87 +15
T55 James Gibbons         Wilsonville, OR         40-47—87 +15
T55 George LoPiparo Jr. Portland, OR            46-41—87 +15
T55 Gerald Perkel         Lake Oswego, OR         44-43—87 +15
T55 Bob Harrington        Portland, OR            44-43—87 +15
T62 Ken Brooke            Bandon, OR              42-46—88 +16
T62 James McCabe          West Linn, OR           44-44—88 +16
T62 Roger Stalick        Portland, OR            44-44—88 +16
T65 Jim Ferguson          Portland, OR            43-46—89 +17
T65 John Rose             Vancouver, WA           41-48—89 +17
T65 Bill Andres           Tualatin, OR            42-47—89 +17
T65 Michael McAfee        West Linn, OR           44-45—89 +17
T65 Doug Rosario         Portland, OR            45-44—89 +17
70 Jim Wolfston          West Linn, OR           47-43—90 +18
T71 Howie Smith           Portland, OR            50-42—92 +20
T71 Anthony Bella         Aurora, OR              48-44—92 +20
73 Steve Rhinefrank      portland, oregon        43-50—93 +21
74 Mike Walker           LaGrande, OR            49-45—94 +22
75 Al Preusch           Portland, OR            44-52—96 +24
76 Murray Westenskow     Milwaukie, OR           50-49—99 +27
77 Mark Ranallo         West Linn, OR          51-51—102 +30

WOMENS DIVISION
5,586-yards, Par 72

1   Mary Budke          Eugene, OR       35-33—68 -4
T2 Penny Saenguraiporn Lake Oswego, OR 46-40—86 +14
T2 Rachel Whittington Lake Oswego, OR 46-40—86 +14
T2 Helen Rusty Beckel Milwaukie, OR    44-42—86 +14
5   Dona Melrose        Beaverton, OR    44-45—89 +17
T6 Barbara Gee         Vancouver, WA    44-47—91 +19
T6 Kim Oh              Washougal, WA    47-44—91 +19
8   Kathleen Wallace    Molalla, OR      55-45—100 +28
9   Sung Clark          Vancouver, WA    50-51—101 +29

OGA Names Hudson Cup Teams

WOODBURN, ORE. (Monday, October 13, 2008) – Brent Whittaker, Director of Tournament Operations for the Oregon Golf Association, today announced Oregon’s amateur representatives at the Hudson Cup Matches to be held October 22-23 at Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore. This is the 61st anniversary of the Men’s event and the 16th occurrence of the senior competition.

The Hudson Cup, named in honor of Robert Hudson, is a 54-hole Ryder-cup style contest featuring some of the most notable amateur golfers competing against PGA professionals representing Oregon and Washington. The Men’s and Senior Men’s contest each have ten amateurs competing against ten professionals in Four-ball, Foursomes and Individual Stroke Play Matches. Each 10-man team consists of five amateurs and five professionals from their respective regions.

Team members are selected on the basis of performance points earned in Sectional and national tournaments. Points are compiled by the Section, the WSGA and the OGA.

Oregon’s representatives on the Men’s team include Jim Dunlap of Tigard, Ore., Chris Polski of Eugene, Ore., Chad Sawyer of West Linn, Ore., Matt Newcomb of Ridgefield, Wash. and Eric Fiskum of Salem, Ore. The honorary captain of the team is Gay Davis of Portland, Ore. The Senior Men’s team consists of Chris Maletis of Portland, Ore., Patrick O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore., Byron Patton of Tigard, Ore., Randy Mahar of Portland, Ore and Mike Kloenne of West Linn, Ore. The honorary captain of the team is Spike Beeber of Portland, Ore. and his assistant captin is Jerry Cundari of Portland, Ore.

On the Men’s squad, Sawyer recently earned a trip to the U.S. Mid-Amateur where he qualified for match play as the number 13 seed. Polski was runner-up at the Oregon Amateur earlier and was joined by Dunlap on the Morse Cup team at the Pacific Coast Amateur. Both Fiskum and Dunlap played in the U.S. Mid-Amateur last year, and Dunlap advanced to the Round of 16 before losing his match to the eventual champion. On the Senior team, O’Donnell captured the Senior Amateur title last year and repeated his title at the Oregon Senior Stroke Play championship. Kloenne qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur this year, and Mahar won the Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship

Hudson was a Portland-based businessman who owned one of the nation’s leading wholesale grocers and was a member at Portland Golf Club. He is credited as being responsible for resurrecting the Ryder Cup Matches between the U.S. and Great Britain after World War II.

During World War II, when the PGA of America was trying to keep its Tour alive, Hudson stepped up to the plate and offered to underwrite a 72-hole open tournament with a purse of $10,000. That tournament, known as the Portland Open was won by Sam Snead in 1944. In 1945, Ben Hogan won the event at set a par-72 scoring record of 27-under-par 261. He went on to sponsor Portland Opens in 1948 and 1949 and well as the 1946 PGA Championship and the 1955 Western Open, all at Portland Golf Club. He was also honored as the first chairman of the PGA Advisory Committee.

It is doubtful the Ryder Cup Matches would have resumed had Hudson not come forward to fund the British team. The U.S. Team featured Byron Nelson and Sam Snead, the only members of the 1937 squad, as well as Jimmy Demaret, Herman Barron, Dutch Harrison, Ben Hogan, Keiser, Lloyd Mangrum, Ed Oliver, and Lew Worsham. It was the first U.S. team selected via a points system. Taking the cue from Hudson, the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain began rallying on its own to build funding for this event.

In 1949, the Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA decided to honor Hudson by creating a team match-play contest pitting the top 10 club professionals against the 10 leading amateurs in the Northwest.

Hudson, upon learning of the event, immediately insisted on footing the bill which he continued to do through 1972. When he no longer could do so, the Section took over responsibility for the event along with financial assistance by the Washington State Golf Association, the Oregon Golf Association, and the Pacific Northwest Golf Association.

Emerald Valley Captures Team Championship Title

MEDFORD, ORE. (Sunday, October 4, 2009) – Unseasonably cold weather and rain faced players in the final round of the 82nd OGA Team Championship resulting in an unpredictable and historic finish as the team from Emerald Valley Golf Club captured the team title on the 7,018-yard, par 72 layout at Centennial Golf Club in Medford, Ore.

Long recognized for having the best amateur golfers in the region with more than 100 single-digit handicap players, Columbia Edgewater has dominated this event since 1941, winning the championship 29 times in the 81 year existence of the championship. But this year the defending champion club, with two teams entered in the 32-team field, the best they could muster was an eleventh place finish.

Emerald Valley’s win marks only the 2nd time in the event’s storied history that a club from outside of the Portland metropolitan area has taken the title (Astoria, 1957). It’s also only the 5th time in the event’s 82-year history that a public club’s team has taken the team title joining Rose City (1973, 1998) and Eastmoreland (1992, 1994).

The Team Championship is a 36-hole gross stroke play event were the team score is computed using the best three individual scores from each 4-player team each day. The Emerald Valley team was led by the combined efforts of Chris Polski of Eugene, Ore. and Scott Larson of Cottage Grove, Ore. who both finished in a tie for 3rd finishing at 1-under par. The other contibuting player was Alex Gruber of Eugene, Ore. who finished at 6-over par 150.

The Team Championship began in 1927. In the first 25 years of the event, from 1927 to 1953, Alderwood CC won the event an incredible 19 times. Alderwood ceased to exist when Portland’s International Airport was built. Since that time, teams from Columbia Edgewater have dominated the event.

While the tournament is primarily a team event, performance points are awarded to individuals based on their finish. Medalist honors were earned by Patrick O’Donnell, 55, of Clackamas, Ore. who scored a 5-under par 72-67—139. He was one of seven players to finish even par or better.

Junior Champions of Champions Crowned

PHOTO GALLERY

EUGENE, ORE. (Saturday, October 3, 2009) – Dylan Wu of Medford, Ore. scored a 1-over par 38-35—73 to earn the title of Champion of Champions in the Intermediate Boys Division (12-13) at on the 6,418-yard par-72 layout at Eugene Country Club. The OGA Junior Tournament of Champions invites winners of any Oregon Junior Golf sanctioned event that occurred during the season. This marked the fourteenth win of the season for Wu who also took earned the prestigious Oregon Junior Amateur title this season in his division.

Also taking titles were Daniel Snoey of Camas, Wash. who won the Junior Division (16-17) title with a birdie on the third playoff hole over Bobby Monaco of Eugene, Wash. Both Snoey and Monaco scored a 2-over par 74 playing the course at 6,854-yards. This was only the second title for Snoey, who played in Oregon Junior Golf for the first time this year on a limited schedule. His other title was at the Peter Jacobsen Junior Challenge.

Playing from the same tees as the Juniors, the Boys Division (14-15) title was won by Beau Scott of Washougal, Wash. shooting a 4-over par 38-38—76. This was the third win of the season for Scott, who also won junior golf events in Pendleton and in Coos Bay.

In the Girls Division (15-17), Morgan Thompson of Tualatin, Ore. scored a 1-over par 35-38—73 on the 5,618-yard layout at Eugene CC to earn her fourth win of the season. Thompson was the runner-up at the Oregon Junior Amateur earlier this season, and won titles at the Central Oregon Junior, Sandpines and Klamath Falls events.

Gigi Stoll of Portland, Ore. capped her prolific season winning the Champion of Champions title in the Intermediate Girls division (12-14) although she struggled to a 10-over par 36-46—82. This was the fourteenth win of the season for Stoll who also captured titles at the Oregon Junior Amateur, Central Oregon Junior, Southern Oregon Junior and Portland City Junior.

Finishing off the event were the Pee Wee Divisions (8-11) with Spencer Tibbits of Vancouver, Wash shooting a 4-over par 39 for his fourth title of the year, and Ellie Slama of Salem, Ore. who score a 9-over par 44. This was the 16th title of the season for Slama who also counts the Oregon Junior Amateur, Central Oregon Junior, Southern Oregon Junior, Salem City and Peter Jacobsen Junior Challenge among her crowns.

Oregon Junior Golf Fund, Inc. (OJGF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable foundation and is a subsiiary of the Orgon Golf Association. OJGF oversees a nationally recognized junior golf program for over 1,100 youth in Oregon and SW Washington. Each year, the Oregon Golf Association presents more than 60 days of competition and more than 6,000 rounds of competitive golf for junior golfers ranging in age from 8 through 17. It also has developed one of the premiere regional junior golf competitions in the country, the Hogan Cup. Hogan Cup alumni include tour players such as Bobby Clampett, Fred Couples, Joe Rassett, Jack Renner, Lennie Clements, Scott Simpson, Rick Fehr, Robert Gamez, Bill Sanders, Kirk Triplett, Jim Nelford, John Fought, Peter Jacobsen, Jeff Quinney, Casey Martin, Michael Putnam, Ricky Barnes, Jason Gore and Tiger Woods.

Juniors
T1 Daniel Snoey     Camas, WA        38-36—74 +2
T1 Bobby Monaco     Eugene, Oregon   36-38—74 +2
3   Samuel Mendez    Portland, OR     38-37—75 +3
4   Blake Jones      Camas, WA        40-36—76 +4
5   Jesse Heinly     Bend, OR         40-38—78 +6
6   Dillon Myers     Wilsonville, OR 39-40—79 +7
T7 Austin Landis    Gladstone, OR    42-39—81 +9
T7 Harry Chang      Portland, OR     39-42—81 +9
T7 Matt Kitto       Lake Oswego, OR 43-38—81 +9
T10 Andy Rodby       Redmond, OR      39-44—83 +11
T10 Mitchell Stewart Springfield, OR 43-40—83 +11
12 Eli Mendez       Albany, OR       48-37—85 +13
13 Brock Sargent    Gresham, OR      42-45—87 +15
14 Ryan Nolan       Tigard, OR       42-47—89 +17
15 Ryan Melnychuk   Grants Pass, OR 44-50—94 +22

Boys
1   Beau Scott      Washougal, WA     38-38—76 +4
2   Max Carter      Lake Oswego, OR   37-40—77 +5
3   Kevin Murphy    Rogue River, OR   39-39—78 +6
T4 Sulman Raza     Eugene, OR        37-42—79 +7
T4 Montana Frame   Reedsport,Oregon 37-42—79 +7
6   Zachary Foushee West Linn, OR     39-41—80 +8
7   Nigel Lett      Tigard, OR        40-41—81 +9
T8 Marcus Potter   Tualatin, OR      42-40—82 +10
T8 Ray Richards    Tualatin, OR      42-40—82 +10
10 Trey Pflug      Portland, OR      43-44—87 +15
11 Calvin Baty     Pendleton, OR     47-44—91 +19
12 Samuel Mar      Alvadore, OR      46-48—94 +22

Girls
1   Morgan Thompson     Tualatin, OR      35-38—73 +1
2   Seshia-Lei Telles   Tualatin, OR      38-36—74 +2
T3 Tess Jennings       Portland OR       39-38—77 +5
T3 Aaren Ziegler       Canby, OR         37-40—77 +5
T5 Sharon Shin         West Linn, OR     39-39—78 +6
T5 Lindsay Harmon      Lake Oswego, OR   38-40—78 +6
T7 Juhee Lee           Wilsonville, OR   39-44—83 +11
T7 Katie Zajicek       Corvallis, OR     41-42—83 +11
9   Caroline Inglis    Eugene, OR        39-45—84 +12
10 Sunshine Powers     Medford, OR       42-43—85 +13
11 Caitlyn Doyle       Corvallis, OR     45-45—90 +18
12 Cassandra Carothers Jacksonville, OR 43-49—92 +20
13 Samantha Webb       Hermiston, OR     50-43—93 +21

I-Boys
1   Dylan Wu        Medford, OR      38-35—73 +1
2   Cole Madey      West Linn, OR    41-36—77 +5
3   Timothy Graham Portland, OR     37-44—81 +9
T4 J. Michiel Eyre Salem, OR.       44-40—84 +12
T4 Riley Elmes     Lake Oswego, OR 38-46—84 +12
T4 Billy Pollock   Eugene, OR       39-45—84 +12
7   Trent Glasgow   Portland, OR     46-42—88 +16

I-Girls
1   GiGi Stoll       Portland, OR     36-46—82 +10
T2 Monica Vaughn    Reedsport, OR    44-39—83 +11
T2 Connie Zhou      Lake Oswego, OR 42-41—83 +11
4   Krissy Peterson Canby, OR        44-49—93 +21
5   Deanna Salvatori Salem, OR        51-47—98 +26

Pee Wee Boys
1   Spencer Tibbits Vanvouver, WA      39 +4
2   Kevin Geniza     Corvallis, OR      41 +6
3   Michael Petroff Tualatin, OR       44 +9
4   Brian Humphreys Washougal, WA      45 +10
5   Andrew Eyre      Salem, OR          47 +12
T6 Jaxson Daskalos Albany, OR         48 +13
T6 Reese Fisher     Medford, OR        48 +13
T6 Benjamin Gruher Camas, WA          48 +13
9   Bryce Wortman    Klamath Falls, OR 51 +16
10 Jeremy Wu        Medford, OR        57 +22

Pee Wee Girls
1   Ellie Slama     Salem, OR   44 +9
2   Jennifer Krause Eugene, OR 53 +18
3   Reilly Whitlock Madras, OR 55 +20

50th Anniversary of Historic US Public Links Title to be Honored

Bill Wright accepts the 1959 championship trophy from the USGA’s Emerson Carey, Jr. Photo copyright USGA.

Federal Way, Wash. (Monday, September 28, 2009) – To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Seattle-native Bill Wright winning the 1959 U.S. Amateur Public Links championship, becoming the first African-American to win a USGA national title, and in celebration of Wright’s historic victory and his contributions to the game of golf, the Washington State Golf Association, The First Tee of Greater Seattle, United State Golf Association, and Jefferson Park Golf Course will commemorate October 10, 2009 as “Bill Wright Day.” The ceremony, which starts at noon on Saturday, October 10, will be held at Jefferson Park Golf Course in Seattle, Wash. and will include a presentation followed by Wright giving a Junior clinic for The First Tee kids. The ceremony and clinic will be open to the public.

“Bill Wright has inspired generations with his achievements and also by who he is as a person,” said Heidi Wills, Executive Director of The First Tee of Greater Seattle. “He is a great role model for the kids participating in The First Tee program where we teach that golf is more than a game – it’s about values such as perseverance, confidence, sportsmanship and integrity; all values that Bill Wright embodies and elevates. What an honor for The First Tee kids to get to meet him.”

“The game of golf is fortunate to have someone such as Bill Wright,” said John Bodenhamer, Executive Director of the Washington State Golf Association. “His integrity is something that is having an impact on the game across the decades.”

Wright’s ties to golf began at age 14, when his father began taking him to Jefferson Park GC. Within a year he was the city’s Junior champion. He earned athletic honors in golf and basketball at Western Washington State College (now University), winning the NAIA collegiate individual golf championship in 1960, and is a member of WWU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He briefly ventured onto the professional tour, and played in the 1966 U.S. Open. He still carries his PGA Tour card in his wallet. Staying in the game, he has qualified for five U.S. Senior Opens, and now, at age 73, teaches golf four to five days a week at The Lakes at El Segundo course in the Los Angeles, Calif. area.

Bill’s father, Bob, was a fine player in his own right, competing in the 1963 U.S. Amateur Public Links. Bill counts World Golf Hall of Famer Charlie Sifford as a source of inspiration during his youth. Sifford was often a guest at the Wright household during visits to Seattle and amazed Bill with his practice routine. “Every single time he was there, both my Dad and I would watch him, said Bill. “All day long, he would practice his chip shots, his putting, whatever he could do.”

In the summer of 1959, at Wellshire Golf Course in Denver, Colorado, Wright defeated Frank Campbell of Jacksonville, Florida 3 & 2 in the 36-hole final match of the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Two incidents from that championship a half-century ago stand out today for Wright, who still maintains a regal presence with his athletic 6-foot-2 frame.

First, just after the ceremony where he received his trophy and medal, he was told he had a phone call. It was a sports announcer from Seattle. “He said: ‘How does it feel to be the first black to win the tournament?’ And, I just slammed the phone down,” Wright recalled. “I wasn’t thinking in those terms. I hung up and got myself back together. That was how I felt inside. I wasn’t mad. I wanted to be black. I wanted to be the winner. I wanted to be all those things. It just hit that other people were thinking that (being the first black winner). I was just playing golf.”

The second incident, which illustrates Wright’s innate sportsmanship, occurred during the championship’s semifinal match against Don Essig. On the match’s sixth hole, Essig overshot the green and faced a difficult lie. During his stroke, some in the crowd continued their conversations and Essig’s chip attempt did not reach the green. Immediately, Wright walked to the gallery and said politely, “Some of you folks bothered him on that shot. It was very unfair. Please give him a better break so he can play his regular game.”

Essig and Wright were reunited in 2000 at the 75th Anniversary of the championship, which was being held that year at Heron Lakes GC in Portland, Ore. Essig’s take on that semifinal story: “Bill has always been a perfect gentleman.”

Asked what winning that championship has meant to him, Wright says, “It means that I was playing well at the time, but it also meant that someone else could come along and play in the tournament. It didn’t make a difference if they were young or old or anything – they could play, and they’d have a chance to win. I am proud now, if you ask me. I have been for many years. I was able to at least give an image to kids like that.”

Centennial GC, Heron Lakes and Bandon Dunes Top Golf World Readers Poll

Wooburn, Ore.—Golf World Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards recently awarded Centennial GC in Medford, Ore., site of the 82nd OGA Men’s Team Championship this coming weekend, as one of the Top 50 Public Golf Courses in America along with Heron Lakes (ranked 38th), and Bandon Dunes Resort in Bandon, Ore. as one of the top 50 Resorts.

When all the votes were counted, Centennial came in 6th overall in the public course category, tied for 5th in course conditioning, 7th in overall value and 9th in quality and pace of play an 10th in service. Bandon Dunes came in 2nd overall in the resort category. It was also ranked first in quality, 5th in course conditions, 3rd in reputation/prestige, practice facilities, pace of play, 7th in service and 5th in overall value.

Besides being a “populist” list, Golf World’s Readers’ Choice Awards are an assessment of the overall golf experience. It explores all the variables—from the quality and condition of the course, to the amenities being offered, to the overall value provided to the golfer—that make a golf facility an enjoyable place to play our favorite game.

The Golf World Readers’ Choice Awards are based solely on reader input gathered by Golf Digest Publications’ Research Resource Center via an online poll conducted in 2008 and 2009. More than 46,000 individual facility ratings and more than 600,000 criteria evaluations were collected. For a facility to be ranked, it had to receive a minimum number of reader evaluations. Readers graded facilities based on a variety of criteria using a 10-point scale.

The only other courses in the Pacific Northwest to crack the Top 50 lists of Public, Private or Resort courses were Chambers Bay in University Place, Was. (29th) and Gold Mountain in Bremerton, Wash (42nd) among public courses and Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho which came in at number four among resorts.

Here’s how Centennial, Heron Lakes and Bandon scored.

Top 50 Public Golf Courses
Centennial GC - Ranking: 6th
Overall 93.04
Quality of Course 9.44
Course Condition 9.56
Reputation/Prestige 8.84
Golf Practice Facilities 9.05
Speed of Play 8.77
Clubhouse/Locker Room 8.26
Pro Shop 8.58
Food/Dining 8.73
Off Course activities/amenities 8.49
Service 9.20
Overall Value 9.23

Heron Lakes GC - Ranking: 38th
Overall 85.07
Quality of Course 9.04
Course Condition 8.61
Reputation/Prestige 8.30
Golf Practice Facilities 7.65
Speed of Play 8.00
Clubhouse/Locker Room 6.86
Pro Shop 7.26
Food/Dining 6.91
Off Course activities/amenities 9.00
Service 7.87
Overall Value 8.87

Top 50 Resorts
Bandon Dunes - Ranking: 2nd
Overall 93.38
Quality of Course 9.65
Course Condition 9.31
Reputation/Prestige 9.68
Golf Practice Facilities 9.31
Speed of Play 8.74
Clubhouse/Locker Room 8.68
Pro Shop 9.17
Food/Dining 8.86
Off Course activities/amenities 8.05
Service 9.23
Overall Value 8.73

Sunriver Awarded Green Star By Golf Digest

(SUNRIVER, Ore.)—Often recognized by the golf industry’s top media outlets as one of the country’s premiere destination golf resorts, Sunriver Resort recently made a name for itself with regard to another claim to fame – environmental practices. In the November 2009 issue of Golf Digest, Sunriver Resort is recognized as one of four nationwide recipients of the inaugural Green Star Award from Golf Digest, which recognizes the country’s most outstanding environmental leaders in golf.

Other Green Star Award recipients, which were chosen from Golf Digest’s initial pool of 400 resorts, included Pebble Beach (Calif.), Kiawah Island (S.C.), and Barton Creek (Texas).

Resorts were judged based on their comprehensive environmental program – for the golf course especially, but also the resort operation – that encompasses water use and conservation, energy use and conservation, waste disposal, pest and disease management, wildlife promotion, and contribution to the local environment and community. Copies of Sunriver Resort’s initial entry application submissions are attached as a reference.

Resorts were also asked to detail their environmental policies, practices and initiatives, and how they relate to their specific local conditions, challenges and constraints, citing examples, facts and figures when possible.

“As stewards of Central Oregon’s abundant natural resources, we are constantly looking for ways to expand our environmental practices and decrease the Resort’s footprint,” said Tom O’Shea, managing director of Sunriver Resort. “These practices date back to the Resort’s inception nearly 40 years ago, when ‘green’ practices were virtually unheard of not just at golf resorts, but across all industries.”

Golf Digest received a total of 60 entries, from which editors narrowed the list to 15 finalists. Finalists were sent to a panel of 14 judges for review, including:
John Barton, editor-in-chief, Golf Digest
Brent Blackwelder, president, Friends of the Earth
Dr. Kimberly Erusha, director of education, USGA Green Section
Jay Feldman, executive director, Beyond Pesticides
Dr. Mike Hurdzan, golf course architect
Dr. Tony Koski, turfgrass specialist, Colorado State University
Greg Lyman, director of research, GCSAA/Environmental Institute
Tom Mead, wetlands/golf course consultant
James Moore, construction education director, USGA
Paul Parker, executive vice president, Center for Resource Management
Roger Schiffman, managing editor, Golf Digest
James Snow, national director, USGA Green Section
Ron Whitten, Golf Digest
Robert Wood, wetlands division deputy director, US E.P.A.

From the top 15 finalists, judges were asked to vote for their top six including reasoning, comments, questions, and concerns. The leading vote getters were visited by James Moore, director of the USGA Green Section’s Construction Education Program, who spent a day at each facility interviewing staff, touring the golf courses and resorts, and taking notes. Based on Mr. Moore’s recommendations, Green Star designations were awarded to Barton Creek, Kiawah Island, Pebble Beach and Sunriver Resort. To view the Golf Digest story online, please visit the following links:

http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2009/11/environment__green_star_awards_methodology
http://www.golfdigest.com/magazine/2009/11/environment_ronwhitten_green_star_awards

About Sunriver Resort:
Located in Central Oregon, Sunriver Resort features nearly 250 guestrooms and nearly 400 vacation rental properties comprised of private homes and condominiums. Sunriver Resort is a year-round outdoor enthusiast’s dream, with 63 holes of championship golf, 28 tennis courts, 35 miles of paved bike paths, three swimming complexes, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, fly fishing, and skiing and snowboarding at nearby Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Other amenities include the Sage Springs Club & Spa, programs for youth and teens, a nearby shopping village, and the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory. For more information call 800-801-8765 or visit www.sunriver-resort.com.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts:
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With more than 30 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 7,000 guest rooms, 10 golf courses and 12 full-service spas. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

Pennsylvania Claims 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship

St. Albans, Mo. – For more than a year, Nathan Smith and Sean Knapp talked about putting together a possible “dream team” for the 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship. The lifelong Pittsburgh-area golfers and best friends just needed to talk a third “local” into remaining an amateur long enough to compete.

That third player turned out to be 2009 Marquette University first-team All-American Mike Van Sickle, and the 22-year-old from Wexford didn’t disappoint.

Van Sickle, who graduated in May and will turn pro sometime in the next few weeks, carded a 4-under-par 67 Friday on the 7,150-yard, par-71 Lewis and Clark Course at the Country Club of St. Albans to lead Pennsylvania to a three-stroke victory over Kansas on what turned out to be a picture-perfect day for golf.

Coupled with a 73 from the 47-year-old Knapp of Oakmont, Pennsylvania, which had never finished better than sixth in seven previous appearances, concluded the 54-hole competition at 9-under-par 417. Smith, 31, of Pittsburgh had a non-scoring 74 in the 3-count-2 format.

Kansas, which was hurt by Thursday’s 10-over 152 score in the rainy conditions, rallied with a 7-under 135 total with 22-year-old Dodge Kemmer of Wichita shooting a 67 and 33-year-old Jon Troutman of Spring Hill adding a 68. Kansas opened the competition with a 133, the best team score posted in Men’s State Team Championship history.

Illinois finished third at 422, followed by Rhode Island and South Carolina sharing fourth place at 424.

Although the forecast called for morning showers and a possible afternoon thunderstorm, which forced USGA officials to make a 36-hole cut (26 of the 51 teams played the final round), the inclement weather stayed away and players were greeted with sunshine virtually the entire. And nobody shined more brightly than the Pennsylvania squad.

“Nobody deserves this more than Mike or Sean,” said Smith, who helped the USA retain the Walker Cup 12 days ago at Merion Golf Club and won the 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur. “Just to do it with those guys and great friends, that’s a dream come true.”

Knapp, a veteran of national championships and a semifinalist at the 2008 U.S. Mid-Amateur, was relieved to finally earn a gold medal in a USGA competition.

“It’s special,” said Knapp, who was the best man at Smith’s wedding a few years ago. “I have been close. It’s an honor to seal this one.”

Early on, it looked as if Pennsylvania might not take home the title. Rhode Island made a strong push on the outward nine, at one point tying for the lead at six under. Then Kansas applied a second-nine charge, but Van Sickle made sure nobody was going to pass his team.

Turning at 1-under 35, the long-hitting Van Sickle birdied holes 11, 13 and 16. He just missed an eagle opportunity from 8 feet at No. 11 and knocked a 7-iron approach to 4 feet from a side-hill lie at 13.

“I kind of made it easy on myself all day long,” said Van Sickle, who was the medalist at a pre-qualifier for PGA Tour Q-School last week in Lincoln, Neb., where he posted a pair of 64s. “This is absolutely an awesome way to end my amateur career. These are awesome guys and great players. I’m thankful that the Pennsylvania Golf Association gave me the opportunity to come out here and play.”

Like Pennsylvania, Kansas had never finished better than a tie for 16th (1995) and take away Thursday’s bad round and it might have won the title. Even two brilliant rounds by Kemmer, who is finishing up his human biology degree at Stanford University this year, and Troutman wasn’t enough to catch Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, the team was quite pleased with a runner-up showing.

“There really wasn’t any pressure,” said Kemmer. “We knew we had a chance from what we did the first day. Shoot nine or 10 under and you never know what might happen. And it turns out that’s what it would have taken. We were close.”

The battle for third came down to Illinois, Rhode Island and South Carolina. Todd Mitchell, 31, of Bloomington, Ill., a former minor-league infielder in the New York Yankees system, shot a 67, which tied Van Sickle for the day’s best round, to help Illinois grab the bronze model. Carlos Sainz, 23, of Elgin, added a 74 as Illinois edged Rhode Island and South Carolina by two shots.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Mitchell, the runner-up in last year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Mark Anderson, 23, of Beaufort, S.C., earned individual medalist honors at 7-under 206, shooting a final-round 70 to place one stroke ahead of Van Sickle. The 2008 University of South Carolina graduate stuck around as an amateur this past summer with hopes of making the Walker Cup team. While the State Team Championship wasn’t exactly a consolation prize, taking top individual honors at this championship was a nice way to end his amateur career. He hopes to make his pro debut on the Hooters Tour in the next couple of weeks.

“It’s an awesome way to go out,” said Anderson, who thought he might have blown his chance at medalist honors with a bogey at 18. “I’m thrilled and I’m proud of how our team fought. We hung in there and actually had a top-five finish. You can’t be disappointed with that.”

Story written by USGA Digital Media staff writer David Shefter. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.

St. Albans, Mo. – Results from the final round of the 2009 USGA Men’s State Team Championship conducted on the 7,150-yard, par-71 Lewis and Clark Course at the Country Club of St. Albans. (Note: Team totals are derived by taking the two low lowest scores from each round)

1-Pennsylvania (417) Mike Van Sickle, Wexford 72-68-67—207; Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh 69-68-74—211; Sean Knapp, Oakmont72-73-73—218
2-Kansas (420) Jon Troutman, Spring Hill 64-79-68—211; Dodge Kemmer, Wichita 69-75-67—211; Bryan Norton, Mission Hills 76-77-70—223
3-Illinois (422) Carlos Sainz, Elgin 68-69-74—211; John Ehrgott, Peoria 73-71-77—221; Todd Mitchell, Bloomington 78-76-67—221
T4-Rhode Island (424) Bobby Leopold, Cranston 70-71-71—212; Brad Valois, Warwick 71-78-72—221; Charlie Blanchard, North Providence 75-69-82—226
T4-South Carolina (424) Mark Anderson, Beaufort 65-71-70—206; Steve Liebler, Irmo 70-76-72—218; Jarrett Grimes, Columbia 77-87-82—246
T6-Georgia (428) Mark Strickland, Woodstock 66-73-74—213; Jeff Knox, Augusta 74-71-74—219; David Noll Jr, Dalton72-77-72—221
T6-Massachusetts (428) Frank Vana, Shrewsbury 75-70-70—215; Brian Higgins, Bellingham 69-74-75—218; John Hadges, North Easton 72-78-73—223
T8-Washington (430) Erik Hanson, Kirkland 71-72-72—215; Joel Dahmen, Clarkston 72-71-74—217; Derek Berg, Kenmore 72-74-72—218
T8-Tennessee (430) Tim Jackson, Germantown 67-72-74—213; Rob Garland, Nashville 68-77-76—221; Todd Burgan, Knoxville74-78-72—224
T10-California (433) George Gandranata, Emmeryville 73-74-72—219; Jason Bittick, Ladera Ranch 75-70-74—219; Tim Mickelson, San Diego 70-76-74—220
T10-Texas (433) Rob Couture, Dallas 70-74-72—216; Steve Galko, Dallas 69-72-76—217; John Bearrie,
Arlington 75-76-76—227
T12-North Carolina (434) Uly Grisette, Clemmons 74-69-70—213; Scott Harvey, Greensboro 73-72-77—222; Paul Simson, Raleigh 75-76-76—227
T12-Nevada (434) Brady Exber, Las Vegas 71-74-68—213; Joe Sanders, Incline Village 71-74-77—222; Dick Wenzel, Sparks 70-81-79—230
T12-Iowa (434) Mike McCoy, West Des Moines 73-72-72—217; Jon Brown, Urbandale 75-71-72—218; Gene Elliott, West Des Moines 75-71-72—218
15-Colorado (435) Michael Harrington, Colorado Springs 73-69-74—216; Jon Lindstrom, Broomfield 73-73-73—219; Jonathan Marsico, Denver 77-78-84—239
T16-New Jersey (437) Thomas Gramigna, Haddonfield 71-72-75—218; Michael Stamberger, Plainfield 72-75-76—223; Michael Deo, Berkeley Heights 76-73-74—223
T16-Florida (437) David Johnson, Palm Bay 69-74-74—217; Tommy Murray, Orange Park 74-75-72—221; Tim Hume, Tampa 76-74-77—227
18-West Virginia (438) Pat Carter, Huntington 68-74-75—217; Anthony Reale, Charleston 74-83-72—229; Michael Veres, Logan 76-75-78—229
T19-Maryland (439) Matthew Bassler, Catonsville 71-73-73—217; Chris Baloga, Parkville 73-73-76—222; Zachary Lese, Silver Spring 79-73-77—229
T19-Mississippi (439) Ben Snow, Hattiesburg 70-71-76—217; Clay Homan, Starkville 71-77-79—227; Steve Wilson, Ocean Springs 80-79-74—233
21-Missouri (440) Skip Berkmeyer, St. Louis 71-73-73—217; Darren Lundgren, Grover 74-75-76—225; Brian Haskell, St. Joseph 75-77-74—226
T22-Connecticut (441) Jeff Hedden, Quaker Hill 75-76-71—222; Ryan Leahey, Orange 73-73-77—223; Philip Perry, East Lyme 74-73-81—228
T22-Delaware (441) Greg Wolfe, Newark 75-72-73—220; Jay Whitby, Wyoming 72-74-75—221; Tim Freeh, Milton 75-83-77—235
24-Arizona (442) Chris Kessler, Scottsdale 74-71-73—218; Dalen Linnerson, Tempe 75-75-77—227; Michael Wog II, Scottsdale 72-79-78—229
25-Michigan (444) Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood 74-69-73—216; Eric Spencer, Bloomfield Hills 72-76-80—228; Greg Davies, West Bloomfield 76-83-80—239
26-Oregon (446) Chris Polski, Eugene 71-73-79—223; Eric Fiskum, Salem 75-73-76—224; Jim Dunlap, Tigard 77-76-78—231

McKay and Burkey Defend Title

Bremerton, Wash. (Wednesday, September 23, 2009) – The team of Ginny Burkey from Fircrest, Wash. and Loree McKay of Portland, Ore. outlasted Anne Carr of Renton, Wash. and Jeanne Link of Redmond, Wash. in the final round of the 27th PNGA Women’s Senior Team Championship being held at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash.

The final round was played in a four-ball format. Burkey and McKay made birdies on hole. #1, #4, #13 and #17 with just 2 bogeys coming at hole #3 and #8 for the low round of the day at 2-under par 69 giving them a 54-hole total of even-par 215.

Carr and Link played solid all day making birdies at hole #1, #2, #11 and #17 but offset them with bogeys at hole #5, #8 and #14 for a final round of 1-under par 70 giving them a three round total of 1-over par 216 and a runner-up finish.

The only other team to shoot under par today was former champions, Ann Swanson of Redmond, Wash. and Sue Ursino of Sammamish, Wash. after carding a final round of 1-under par 70 in a round the included all pars except for a birdie at the par-5 #18 hole. Swanson and Ursino finished in third place with a 54-hole total of 5-over par 220.

The PNGA Women’s Senior Team Championship calls for 54 holes of stroke play with a different format each day. Each team will compete in a four-ball format on both the Olympic Course and Cascade Course along with a Chapman format on the Olympic Course. It is one of 15 regional championships conducted annually by the PNGA. All members of the Oregon Golf Association are also members of the PNGA.

Gold Mountain Golf Club – Cascade Course
Bremerton, Washington

Final Round Results – September 23, 2009
5365 yards, Par 71

Final Round Format – Four-Ball
Loree McKay / Ginny Burkey—76-70-69—215
Jeanne Link / Anne Carr—73-73-70—216
Ann Swanson / Sue Ursino—77-73-70—220
Rachel Whittington / Nancy Eglin—74-77-73—224
Sue Hubbard / Kim Anderson—79-74-74—227
Claudia Robbs / Beth Campbell—76-78-74—228
Linda Selegue / Sharon Falkner—76-80-72—228
Nettie Morrison / Nancy Breitenstein—75-81-72—228
Carol Dick / Mary O’Donnell—78-79-76—233
Carole Holm / Carol West—79-82-73—234
Annette Seydel / Kristine Adams—82-78-75—235
Sandra Divito / Carol Beaman—82-80-73—235
Helen Beckel / Karen Herness—79-83-74—236
Connie Beyers / Michelle Campbell—76-84-77—237
Robin Cole / Cindi Stewart—80-82-75—237
Jane Meadows / Carol Baldwin—77-81-80—238
Cathy Uptain / Sharan Courounes—78-87-74—239
Patty Knight / Barbara Bailey—80-84-75—239
Susan Arkell / Dee Hanich—79-83-77—239
Linda Pearson / Kellie Molzhon—79-88-75—242
Mary Ryan / Laura Risher—80-88-76—244
Barbara Tracy / Kay O’Donnell—81-87-77—245
Sharon Bugg / Dolly Burnett—81-86-78—245
Cindy Merritt / Gaye Ishimaru—78-89-79—246
Toni Webb / Nancy Hogue—83-83-80—246
Pat Harrop-Schumacher / Tsuyako Dennis—82-87-78—247
Joan Cathey / Shelley O’Connell—83-84-81—248
Linda Powers / Becky Austin—87-85-77—249
Sylvie O’Keefe / Paula Miller—82-84-83—249
Hallie Marks / Laura Clough—82-87-81—250
Kathleen McAfee / Sue Otani—84-88-80—252
Kathy Martin / Christine McClave—88-89-77—254
Barbara Fortier / Debbie Holbrook—89-89-80—258
Jennifer Eggers / Teresa Riley—80-101-77—258
Sandy Weinhardt / Becky Sanders—82-97-83—262
Lida Tong / Merrilie Howard—92-90-82—264
Mary Johnson / Carol Berlin—86-91-87—264
Roberta Smith / Jan Smisek—85-95-84—264
Doris Rogers / Linda Wheat—90-96-81—267
Lyn Holt / JoAnn Osborn—88-95-84—267
Lynn Blackwood / Julie Hoff—90-95-82—267
Roberta Robbins / Kay Brittingham—92-97-78—267
Joan Hodges / Barbara Rottler—96-86-87—269
JoAnne Barter / Pat Rutledge—87-95-87—269
Robin Anderson / Laurie Erickson—93-93-83—269
Karen Booth / Judy Murray—90-98-85—273
Pauline Welker / Lois Wusterbarth—93-96-85—274
Sandy Quisenberry / Donna Ahearn—94-94-86—274
Jan Graisy / Sandra Dunlap—91-94-90—275
Connie Exstrom / Julie Meador—93-101-84—278
Susan Gilmore / Phyllis Brown—97-97-87—281
Helen Burch / Gerene Holt—97-101-92—290
Jan Bristol / Sally Irvine—103-98-96—297

OSU Women Finish T5, PSU 9th at Inland Cup

Pullman, Wash. - The Oregon State University Women’s Golf Team finished tied for 5th with scores of 309-318-306—933 and the Portland State Viking golf team placed ninth at 320-319-324=963 over the 54-hole, three-day event among 13 teams at the Washington State Inland Cup played at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman. Wash.

After taking a commanding lead in the second day of the tournament, the University of Idaho held on to win the event by 13 shots. The Vandals shot 309-292-302=903. Nevada was second at 916 and Sacramento State placed third at 918.

Kayla Mortellaro of Idaho shot a final-round two-over par 74 to hold on and win the individual title. Mortellaro finished at three-over par for the week, posting 74-71-74=219. She beat teammate Amanda Jacobs and a hard-charging Cara Freeman of Oregon State, who tied for second at 220. Freeman shot a three-under par 69 on Wednesday.

Washington State Inland Cup
Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Pullman, WA
Sept. 21-23, 2009
6,126 yards, par 72

Team Scores
1. Idaho, 309-292-302=903
2. Nevada, 307-306-303=916
3. Sacramento State, 308-305-305=918
4. Gonzaga, 312-309-311=932
t5. Fresno State, 323-306-304=933
t5. Oregon State, 309-318-306=933
7. Montana, 318-311-307=936
8. Washington State, 320-304-316=940
9. Portland State, 320-319-324=963
10. Boise State, 324-329-317=970
11. Weber State, 343-319-329=991
12. Seattle, 336-319-337=992
13. Eastern Washington, 333-336-327=996

Indiviual Scores
1 Kayla Mortellaro Idaho, University of 74 71 74 219 +3
T2 Cara Freeman Oregon State U. 74 77 69 220 +4
T2 Amanda Jacobs Idaho, University of 72 74 74 220 +4
4 Teo Poplawski Idaho, University of 80 69 75 224 +8
5 Ali Thompson Washington State U. 77 71 77 225 +9
T6 Lindi Covarrubias Fresno State 79 72 76 227 +11
T6 Carissa Simmons Montana, Univ. of 77 73 77 227 +11
T6 Sage Suffecool Gonzaga University 74 73 80 227 +11
T6 Ana De La Maza Nevada, U. of 79 76 72 227 +11
10 Victoria Fallgren Gonzaga University 76 76 76 228 +12
T11 Hali Coppin Fresno State 79 77 73 229 +13
T11 Justine Chen Sacramento State U. 76 79 74 229 +13
T13 Jamie Yam Nevada, U. of 77 76 77 230 +14
T13 Samantha Saffold Sacramento State U. 75 78 77 230 +14
T15 Lauren Howell Montana, Univ. of 80 76 75 231 +15
T15 Lauren Hernandez Nevada, U. of 79 78 74 231 +15
17 Brooke Green Sacramento State U. 78 77 77 232 +16
18 Louise Yi Nevada, U. of 77 76 80 233 +17
19 Whitney French Oregon State U. 77 83 74 234 +18
T20 Louisa Lies Fresno State 82 78 75 235 +19
T20 Eugenia Guerra Nevada, U. of 74 81 80 235 +19
T20 Julie Shutler Sacramento State U. 79 75 81 235 +19
23 Kellie Holmstedt Eastern Washington U 79 77 80 236 +20
24 Emma Betland Washington State U. 81 78 78 237 +21
T25 Jessica Howe Gonzaga University 82 81 75 238 +22
T25 Lauren Archer Oregon State U. 80 76 82 238 +22
T27 Rose Stepanek Montana, Univ. of 80 81 78 239 +23
T27 Kercia Brakel Sacramento State U. 87 75 77 239 +23
T29 Ashli Helstrom Montana, Univ. of 81 82 77 240 +24
T29 Hayley Young Boise State Univ. 84 79 77 240 +24
T29 Iris Ocariza Boise State Univ. 82 78 80 240 +24
T29 Allison Travis Washington State U. 82 78 80 240 +24
T29 Kristen Allard Washington State U. 80 79 81 240 +24
T29 Kristina Gargaro * Oregon State U. 77 84 79 240 +24
T29 Frida Nilsson Idaho, University of 83 78 79 240 +24
T36 Genavive Dodge Gonzaga University 80 80 81 241 +25
T36 Allyssa Nilsson * Idaho, University of 83 78 80 241 +25
T38 Aubrey Vaughn Portland State Univ. 78 81 83 242 +26
T38 Britney Yada Portland State Univ. 80 79 83 242 +26
T38 Danielle Ranallo Portland State Univ. 77 80 85 242 +26
T38 Christy Fogerty * Oregon State U. 79 81 82 242 +26
T42 Kalyn Dodge Portland State Univ. 86 79 78 243 +27
T42 Chelsea Czinski Fresno State 83 79 81 243 +27
T42 Brittany Stewart Oregon State U. 79 83 81 243 +27
45 Rachel Sibbitt Gonzaga University 84 80 80 244 +28
T46 Lori Harper Boise State Univ. 80 87 78 245 +29
T46 Ellen Park Washington State U. 82 77 86 245 +29
T46 Alannah Cox Seattle University 83 79 83 245 +29
T46 Annika Karlsson Idaho, University of 84 82 79 245 +29
T50 Shaylee Yano Fresno State 86 80 80 246 +30
T50 Olivia Weber Montana, Univ. of 82 81 83 246 +30
T52 Shannon Quinn Seattle University 81 85 81 247 +31
T52 Amanda Snyder Weber State Univ. 82 77 88 247 +31
54 Justine Hix Portland State Univ. 85 83 80 248 +32
T55 Elyse Okada Oregon State U. 79 82 88 249 +33
T55 Kelsey Podlesny Weber State Univ. 88 81 80 249 +33
T55 Kacey Valla * Montana, Univ. of 84 82 83 249 +33
T58 Sara Federico Weber State Univ. 89 78 83 250 +34
T58 Caitlin McCleary Seattle University 83 76 91 250 +34
T58 Alexia Brown * Portland State Univ. 80 81 89 250 +34
T58 Gracie Schory * Idaho, University of 86 82 82 250 +34
T58 Christine Cook * Seattle University 89 82 79 250 +34
T63 Jordan Ulibarri Weber State Univ. 88 83 80 251 +35
T63 Kylie Ray Eastern Washington U 86 83 82 251 +35
T65 Jennifer Henningsson Boise State Univ. 82 85 85 252 +36
T65 Kaitlin Parsons * Washington State U. 87 81 84 252 +36
67 Morgan Lee Eastern Washington U 81 90 82 253 +37
68 Chelsey Lind * Oregon State U. 88 85 81 254 +38
T69 Minhee Park Boise State Univ. 80 94 82 256 +40
T69 Dana Stapleton Eastern Washington U 87 86 83 256 +40
T69 Brenda Jesernig * Washington State U. 88 86 82 256 +40
72 Kelsey Johnson Seattle University 92 79 86 257 +41
T73 Natalie Weber Weber State Univ. 85 90 86 261 +45
T73 Lori Pearson Seattle University 89 85 87 261 +45
75 Julia Manseau * Washington State U. 88 89 85 262 +46
76 Emma Pahlquist * Boise State Univ. 89 87 88 264 +48
77 Jayme Carbon * Eastern Washington U 90 95 83 268 +52
78 Michelle Grome * Seattle University 85 90 96 271 +55
79 Neddy Martinez Eastern Washington U 92 91 91 274 +58

Local Qualifying for US Opens to be Exempt from New Groove Rules

Far Hills, N.J. (Sept. 22) – The United States Golf Association will adopt the new groove rules as a condition of competition for the 2010 U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open starting with the sectional (final stage) qualifying events for each of the three championships. The condition of competition regarding grooves will not be in effect at local (first stage) qualifying events for the 2010 U.S. Open Championship.

The USGA will adopt the condition of competition for U.S. Open local qualifying beginning in 2011 and for the national championships and team competitions it conducts for amateur players no later than 2014, as originally indicated.

“We plan to adopt the condition of competition for all stages of Open qualifying in 2011, but 2010 will be a transitional year for the 9,000 players who typically try to qualify for the U.S. Open,” said Mike Davis, USGA senior director of Rules and Competitions. “The important point is that any player who is one step from making it into any of the three Open championships will be playing with clubs that conform to this new condition of competition.”

Announced by the USGA and R&A in August 2008, the revisions to the Rules of Golf, which place new restrictions on golf club grooves, will go into effect starting Jan. 1, 2010. The regulations control the cross-sectional area of grooves on all clubs, with the exception of drivers and putters, and limit groove edge sharpness on clubs with lofts equal to or greater than 25 degrees (generally a standard 5-iron and above). The rules apply to clubs submitted to the USGA for conformance evaluation on or after Jan. 1, 2010.

The PGA Tour (including the Champions and Nationwide Tours), European PGA Tour and other members of the International Federation of PGA Tours, as well as the LPGA, intend to adopt this condition of competition at their tournaments beginning Jan. 1, 2010. The PGA of America and Augusta National Golf Club intend to adopt this condition of competition at the PGA Championship and Masters Tournament, respectively, in 2010.
Additional information about the new regulations on grooves, including technical specifications, may be found in the Equipment section of www.usga.org. Questions regarding the groove regulations should be addressed to Dick Rugge, USGA senior technical director, via e-mail at drugge@usga.org. Questions regarding the condition of competition should be addressed to Mike Davis, USGA senior director of Rules and Competitions, via e-mail at mdavis@usga.org.

A question-and-answer document containing additional information about the condition of competition may be found in the Championships section of www.usga.org at http://www.usga.org/news/2009/september/qa_groove.aspx.

About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world’s golfers and golf courses.

The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open, 10 national amateur and two state team championships. It also helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System®, celebrates the history of the game, and administers an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to successful programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

OGA Selects Men’s U.S. State Team Squad

(l to r) The Oregon Team - Chris Polski, Jim Dunlap,
Ozzie Smith (Honorary Tournament Chair) and Eric Fiskum

Woodburn, Ore. (September 20, 2009)—Eric Fiskum, Jim Dunlap and Chris Polski have been selected, based on their performance points earned over the past two seasons, to represent Oregon at the 8th USGA State Team Championship, September 23-25 on the 7,150-yard layout at The Country Club of St. Albans (Lewis and Clark Course), St. Albans, Mo.

Fiskum, 33, of Salem, Ore. qualified to play in the U.S. Amateur Championship this year and the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship last year. He won the OGA Tournament of Champions in 2006. Dunlap, 37, of Tigard, Ore., was the Oregon Golf Association’s Golfer of the Year in 2008 when he advanced to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships. He also won the OGA Tournament of Champions this year. Polski, 22, of Eugene, Ore. qualified this year to play in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and followed that up as runner-up at the Oregon Amateur. Both Dunlap and Polski also represented the Oregon Golf Associationa the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship earlier this year in Tucson, Ariz.

This year, for the first time since its inception, the Women’s State Team and Men’s State Team will be contested in different states and on different dates. The Women’s competition was played September 1-3 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Ind. Beginning in 2010, the Men’s State Team and Women’s State Team Championships will be held in alternate years, starting with the Men in 2010 and followed by the Women in 2011.

The event was created as part of the USGA’s Centennial celebration in 1995, with a format fashioned after the biennial World Amateur Team Championship where the low two scores for each day’s play counts as the 3-person team’s score. Teams are selected by each state golf association or administrative body. Collegiate players are not eligible to compete in this championship under NCAA rules.

A total of three USGA champions and two past/present USA Walker Cup participants are in the field. They are Tim Jackson (Tennessee): 1994 and 2001 U.S. Mid-Amateur; 1995 and 1999 Walker Cup; Nathan Smith (Pennsylvania): 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur; 2009 Walker Cup, and; Steven Wilson (Mississippi): 2008 U.S. Mid-Amateur

In addition to the past USGA champions/Walker Cup participants, other notable golfers are in the 2009 field. These players includes former major-league pitcher Erik Hanson (Washington); Tim Mickelson (California), the brother of three-time major champion Phil Mickelson; and Hawaiian team member Lorens Chan, who at 14 became the youngest ever to qualify for the PGA Tour’s Sony Open this past January.

The field will play 18 holes on each of three stroke-play rounds Sept. 23-25 (Wednesday-Friday). The two lowest scores from each three-person team constitute the team score for each round. The three-day total is the team’s score for the championship. Any first-place ties are broken by the final-round score from the team’s non-scoring player. If the teams are still tied, the tiebreaker will be the second-round score from the team’s non-scoring player.

In 2007, Trip Kuehne of Dallas carded a 5-under-par 67 in the final round to lead defending champion Texas to victory on the Fazio Course at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas. Texas finished with a 54-hole total of 422, one better than Georgia and four strokes ahead of Alabama and Virginia. The team from Texas also got an even-par 72 in the final round from Terrance Miskell of New Braunfels. Miskell was the lone holdover from the victorious 2005 Texas squad.

The third member of the squad was Jonathan Mathias of San Antonio, who opened the championship with a 69. Along with Kuehne’s 68, Texas enjoyed a three-stroke first-round lead over Alabama and Tennessee in the 3-count-2 format. A second-round 146 saw Texas relinquish its advantage to Alabama, which shot 141 behind a 70 from Will Swift and Talbert Griffin’s 71 to grab a two-stroke advantage over Texas.

But Texas came out focused in the final round, and Kuehne’s birdie at 17 and par at 18 sealed the title. “It’s nice to go out and play well,” said Kuehne, the runner-up to Tiger Woods at the 1994 U.S. Amateur, “and for once it’s nice to be a bride instead of a bridesmaid.”
Two weeks later, Kuehne, a member of the victorious 2007 USA Walker Cup squad, would register his first USGA individual championship by claiming the U.S. Mid-Amateur title at Bandon Dunes Resort in Oregon.

Texas and Minnesota are the only two states to have won more than one Men’s State Team title.

For more information on the championship visit www.stateteam.org.

Little Claims Third Collegiate Title

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Sunday, September 20) - University of Oregon Junior Kendra Little held on to win the individual title at the 30th Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational while the No. 35 U of O women’s golf team finished in fifth place on the par-73 University of New Mexico Championship course.

The Eugene, Ore., native Little (73-68-68-141) kept her one-stroke advantage over New Mexico’s defending champion Jodi Ewart (second, 69-71-68-208), while Pepperdine’s Taylore Karle climbed a position into third place (71-71-69-211).

Just like her second round the day before, Little again tied the third-best score in school history and was only two strokes off former teammate’s Cathryn Bristow school record 7-under mark (65) from 2008. Little’s three-round tourney score also tied the third-best tourney score in Duck history that she already set last fall at the Giustina Memorial Classic in Corvallis, Ore.

On Sunday, Little logged seven birdies (#5, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17), nine par scorers (#1-3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18) and had only two bogeys on the fourth and eighth holes.

UO’s other entries included sophomore Ashley Edwards (24th-t, 74-73-77-224), senior Kate Hildahl (45th-t, 76-76-75-227), freshman Cheyenne Hickle (50th-t, 76-76-76-228) and junior Erica Omlid (62nd-t, 77-78-76-231).

Little’s win was her third as a collegian after she won the 2008 Giustina Memorial Classic in Corvallis (69-73-73-215) and 2008 Oregon Duck Invitational in Eugene (70-73-71-214). The win marked UO’s eighth victory the last five seasons with other victories courtesy of Cathryn Bristow (3), Felicia Eastick (1) and Kim McCready (1). She was the runner-up at the Oregon Amateur and PNGA Amateur earlier this year.

In the team standings, the Ducks again logged a sub-300 total (295) and ended with a nine-over score of 885 (297-293-295). No. 14 Pepperdine extended its lead by two strokes to win (288-287-284-859), and was followed by host and No. 22 New Mexico (second, 294-286-286-866) and No. 33 UNLV (third-tie, 291-292-300-883) and No. 31 TCU (third-tie, 291-291-301-883).

Teams trailing the Ducks included UC Davis (sixth, 302-295-290-887), No. 59 Northwestern (seventh, 297-294-297-888), No. 55 Indiana (eighth, 297-296-301-894), No. 30 UC Irvine (ninth, 304-294-300-898), No. 47 Colorado (10th, 310-296-297-903), No. 36 Texas A&M (12th-t, 303-303-298-904), No. 16 Arkansas (12th-t, 300-303-305-908), No. 34 San Francisco (14th, 295-311-304-910), No. 60 Oklahoma (15th, 306-303-305-914), No. 61 Colorado State (16th, 304-304-307-915), UTEP (17th, 308-301-308-917) and Wyoming (18th, 306-312-316-934).

Final results are available via the www.GolfStat.com website at the http://www.golfstatresults.com/public/index.cfm?tournament_id=1676 link.

The two-day season-opening tournament also marked the first event for new Oregon head coach Ria Quiazon who became the fourth Duck women’s golf mentor in June.

Looking ahead, UO next plays with their men’s counterparts at the Giustina Memorial Classic, Monday-Tuesday, September 28-29 at the Trysting Tree Golf Course in Corvallis, Ore.

Rosholt Selected to PNW PGA Hall of Fame

Tumwater, WA. (September 17, 2009) - The Pacific Northwest Section of the PGA of America is proud to announce the selection of William “Bill” Rosholt, PGA of La Grande Oregon as the 47th member of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA Hall of Fame. The Pacific Northwest Section established a Hall of Fame in 1981 for the purpose of honoring those persons who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the Pacific Northwest Section and the game of golf.

Besides serving on many National committees, Rosholt has been a longtime leader instrumental in chapter, section, and national affairs serving as the Pacific Northwest Section President from 1994-1998 and as a National Director of the PGA of America from 2001- 2004. Bill began his service to the Pacific Northwest Section PGA as a member of the Tournament Rules Committee and was the Chairman of the committee from 1988 –1994. He was elected President of the Central Washington Chapter of the Pacific Northwest Section in 1990, a post he held until 1994.

Among other things, Rosholt authored many magazine articles called Rules by Rosholt in the Pacific Northwest Section PGA Foreword Press and chronicled a short story about Lewiston (ID.) high school’s first state golf championship that is published in “A Spirit of Golf” by JMC Publishing.

Rosholt, who was born and raised in Lewiston Idaho, has called, with his wife Sondra, La Grande home since 1981. Bill is currently Union County’s (Or.) Director of Golf Promotions and Economic Development.

The induction will take place in Portland Ore. on Wednesday October 21, 2009 at the Portland Exposition Center.

Champions Crowned at Oregon Super Senior

Jim Kondos and Carol Dick

PHOTO GALLERY

WASHOUGAL, WASH. (Wednesday, September 16, 2009) - First round leaders Jim Kondos, 67, of Gresham, Ore. and Carol Dick, 70, of Salem, Ore. maintained their leads in their respective divisions to win titles at the 4th Oregon Super Senior Championship at Orchard Hills Country Club in Washougal, Wash.

Both Dick and Kondos are the only the second title holders in the event’s four year history. While this is a repeat title for Dick, it was Nettie Morrison of Bend, Ore. won the initial two Women’s Championships. The first three Men’s titles were handily won by Jerry Cundari of Portland, Ore. who was unable to play this year due to last minute work conflicts. Cundari will be inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame later this month.

When the Oregon Super Senior Championship was introduced in 2006, it was the first amateur golf championship of its kind in the nation with eligibility for Men age 65 and older and Women age 60 and older. For the first three years of the championship, men played a 54-hole competition with a cut after the first 36-holes, and Women played a 36-hole competition. All players compete in an overall championship based on gross scores as well as titles within their flights. Players are also divided into smaller flights based on gender and age with 65-66 year old men placed in the Jack Nicklaus flight, 67-69 year olds in the Arnold Palmer flight and men 70 and older in the Byron Nelson flight. Women play in either the Patty Berg flight (60-62) or the Babe Zaharius flight (63+). All players will also compete for Net awards within their respective flights based on the difference between their gross score and their course handicap.

In the Jack Nicklaus flight, Ken Forster of Salem, Ore. earned the title with an 11-over par 77-74—151. Forster, who was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame earlier this season, was just 2-strokes off the pace set by Kondos in the overall competition. The Net title went to renowned Golfweek columnist Jim Achenbach.

The Arnold Palmer flight trophy went to former Portland Trailblazer Terry Dischinger of Lake Oswego, Ore. with a score of 17-over par 78-79—157 and the Net award went to Sam Oh of Washougal, Wash. Tom Liljeholm of Prineville, Ore. captured the Byron Nelson flight title with a 15-over par 78-77—155 and the Net title went to Wayne Carlson of Oregon City, Ore.

For the two Women’s flights, Pat Emerich takes home the Patty Berg flight trophy and Cindy Anderson of Eugene, Ore takes the Babe Zaharius flight title with a scorecard tiebreak over Darlene Moen of Vancouver, Wash. Moen earns the Net title and Janice Anderson of Washougal, Wash. takes the Net title in the Patty Berg flight.

A course handicap is computed from a players official USGA Handicap Index, a portable number that can be adjusted up or down based on the difficulty of the actual course being played. A Handicap Index is computed using only the lowest ten of the players last twenty scores and measures a player’s potential ability. Players are expected to play to their handicap just twenty percent of the time. USGA Handicap Indexes are just one of the services provided to members of all OGA member clubs.

Orchard Hills is one of eleven golf courses in SW Washington that are within the Oregon Golf Association territory that also have OGA Member Clubs. In addition to the regular OGA Member Clubs, there are also eight associate OGA Member Clubs in SW Washington. An associate club is not affiliated with any specific golf course.

ABOUT THE OGA
The Oregon Golf Association (OGA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit membership association. Founded in 1924, the OGA was originally established with the sole purpose of conducting the Oregon Amateur Championship. Since its founding 85 years ago, the OGA has evolved to now provide a multitude of benefits and services to approximately 50,000 individual men, women, senior, and junior members at over 270 member golf clubs and 190 golf courses throughout the Oregon and SW Washington.

The OGA also works tirelessly to promote, foster, and grow the game of golf in its region through its support of golf related charities and “good for the game” programs. The organization is governed by a 15-person volunteer Executive Committee and managed by a full-time staff of nine. When a golfer joins an OGA Member Club, a portion of the dues paid to the club is remitted to the OGA to belong to the Association.

As a regional representative of the United States Golf Association (USGA), the OGA is responsible for administering the USGA Handicap System as well as rating and measuring all regulation golf courses in accordance with the USGA Course Rating System. It also works closely with a number of allied associations within the golf industry for the betterment of the game.

Kentuck GC in North Bend Closes

North Bend, Ore. (from www.theworldlink.com)

One of the area’s oldest golf courses closed for good Monday.

Kentuck Golf Course officially shut down after Labor Day, a victim of the slow economy. “We’ve just been barely paying the bills,” said Wally Culp, who grew up at the golf course and has worked there for three decades.

The Culp family has owned Kentuck for 45 years. It was built in the early 1960s and purchased by Culp’s grandfather, Wally Wickett, in 1964. The family added nine holes to the original nine, making Kentuck the only 18-hole golf course on the South Coast for many years.

The past 20 years have seen the creation of Sandpines Golf Links in Florence, Salmon Run near Brookings and Bandon Crossings, as well as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Also both Coos Country Club (now Watson Ranch) and Ocean Dunes Golf Links in Florence expanded to 18 holes.

Most of those courses aren’t direct competition for Kentuck, which has been known for a relaxed atmosphere and the wide fairways that made it favorable for beginning golfers.

The biggest hit against Kentuck came when the dike protecting the back nine from Kentuck Slough failed in December 2001, and the back nine was closed for eight months. The golfers never came back in large enough numbers to make Kentuck profitable again.

The course has been targeted by leaders in the Jordan Cove Energy Project as a possible site for wetlands mitigation in case a liquid natural gas terminal is built on the North Spit. Jordan Cove Energy Project and the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay have an option to buy the land through July 2010.

Culp had hoped to keep the course open until the end of the year, but said financially that doesn’t make sense. He said the decision to close the course will pull at his heart strings after the holiday weekend. “I’ll be sad Tuesday, the first day we’re not open,” he said.

In the meantime, he hopes the area residents who have spent time on the course realize how much the family appreciates their support.

“I want to thank everybody who has golfed here,” he said.

Stone Creek Featured on CNBC

Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Ore. was featured on the CNBC television network and CNBC.com, on Tuesday, September 8th, in a piece focusing on the environmental efforts of the golf course, which have been recognized often in the past. You can watch the segment here.

The primary environmental success of Stone Creek Golf Club have been through the work of golf course superintendent Dave Phipps, who has been at the course since the year 2000.

“It is a passion of mine to communicate the environmental benefits of golf courses to the general public,” said Phipps. ” Protecting the environment and promoting wildlife habitat have really become a part of who I am as a golf course superintendent.”

Most recently Stone Creek Golf Club was recognized by Links Magazine as one of the 10 most eco-friendly golf courses in the United States.

Simanton Wins California State Fair Title

By Steve Pajak
spajak@sacbee.com

Amy Beth Simanton, an incoming UC Davis freshman, swooped in from Lake Oswego, Ore., to win the California State Fair Women’s Championship on Sunday. She’s been in California for all of five days and already has a story written about her. This one. That’s what happens when your first order of business is to win the highest profile women’s golf tournament in the area.

Simanton closed with a 3-under-par 68 at Bartley Cavanaugh for a two-round 141 total to beat San Jose State senior Cristina Corpus (72), fellow Aggie Alice Kim (69) and Casie Cathrea (71) by one shot.

Simanton, 17, started Sunday three shots off the lead and tied for fifth. A sloppy double bogey on the benign par-3 eighth hole dropped her back to even for the day and threatened to end her title push. Then she hit her approach shot on No. 9 within an inch and made two more back-nine birdies to steal the win.

Cathrea, 13, from Livermore, appeared to be dueling with Corpus, an All-Western Athletic Conference player, for the win in the final pairing. But Cathrea, who qualified for the U.S. Public Links and USGA Junior Girls this summer, missed a 3-foot birdie putt on No. 17 and three-putted No. 18. The best Corpus could do was par-saving putts on the final two holes.

Simanton picked UCD over Pacific-10 Conference schools in the Northwest. She verbally committed to Washington State before visiting, then choosing, UC Davis.

She liked the team, coach and atmosphere, she said. The warmer – and drier – California climate didn’t hurt.

“Playing year-round I feel I can improve a lot,” said the winner of the Oregon Women’s Amateur in June at Bandon Dunes. “I had to decide – would I rather play at the bottom of the Pac-10 or at the top of another conference?”

Simanton’s victory gives UCD it’s third consecutive State Fair win. Kim, an All-Big West Conference player as a sophomore last year, won as an unheralded freshman in 2007. Brittany Smith won last year.

Simanton shared the Oregon high school state individual title as a sophomore and finished second the past two years. She arrived in Sacramento on Thursday, played one practice round at Cavanaugh and has been sleeping on a teammate’s couch.

The fall college season starts in a week when she’ll have to qualify for the Aggies’ traveling team.

“This is nice but it doesn’t guarantee anything,” she said.

Former winners of this championship include Mina Harigae who won the US Women’s Public Links in 2007 and former Washington State standout Kim Welch who came to national prominence winning the Golf Channel’s Big Break. Both now play on the Duramed Futures Tour.

Click Here for Complete Results

Georgia Wins 2009 USGA Women’s State Team Championship

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Georgia team captain Sissi Gann called it her “dream team,” and her players certainly lived up to that moniker at the 2009 USGA Women’s State Team Championship at Sycamore Hills Golf Club. Georgia posted a 54-hole total of 436 (four over) on the 6,095-yard, par-72 Jack Nicklaus layout. The lowest two scores from each three-person squad are used in counting the team’s daily total. Laura Coble, 45, of Augusta, a member of the winning 2005 team, added a non-scoring 75.

Dori Carter, 22, of Valdosta, Ga., carded a 3-under-par 69 and 15-year-old Mariah Stackhouse of Riverdale added a 70 on Thursday to give Georgia a nine-stroke victory over Alabama, becoming the first state to win multiple titles in the biennial competition that’s been conducted since 1995. Georgia also won the 2005 title at Berkeley Hall in Bluffton, S.C.

Alabama, paced by a championship-tying 18-hole record 67 from 43-year-old Kathy Hartwiger of Birmingham, finished at 445 after registering an even-par 144 in the final round. Hawaii, which had never finished better than 10th, took third at 447. Mississippi (450) and South Carolina (451) rounded out the top five.

Results
2009 USGA Women’s State Team Championship
ycamore Hills Golf Club; 6,095-yard, par-72

Team scores are determined by taking the lowest two scores from each three-member squad.
(Note: North Dakota, Vermont and Puerto Rico did not send teams).

1-Georgia: 143-154-139—436; Dori Carter, Valdosta 69-76-69—214; Mariah Stackhouse, Riverdale 74-78-70—222; Laura Coble, Augusta 74-78-75—227

2-Alabama: 152-149-144—445; Kathy Hartwiger, Birmingham 78-75-67—220; Jordan Hardy, Sylacauga 74-74-77—225;     Martha Lang, Birmingham 81-78-88—247

3-Hawaii: 151-149-147—447; Xyra Suyetsugu, Honolulu 76-75-73—224; Kacie Komoto, Honolulu 80-74-74—228; Cyd Okino, Honolulu 75-82-83—240

4-Mississippi: 150-152-148—450; Virginia Grimes, Meridian 70-73-75—218; Alexis Rather, Oxford 82-79-73—234; Cissye Gallagher, Greenwood 80-81-81—242

5-South Carolina: 147-153-151—451; Dawn Woodard, Greer 74-74-68—216; Wallace Hamerton, Bluffton73-79-83—235;    Lea Venable, Simpsonville 86-80-83—249

6-Colorado: 150-157-149—456; Rachel Larson, Longmont 72-78-72—222; Janet Moore, Greenwood Village 84-79-77—240; Kim Eaton, Greeley 78-NC-79—NC

7-Maryland: 154-152-152—458; Kaitlyn Rohrback, Crofton 74-72-74—220; Lisa Schlesinger, Laytonsville 81-84-78—243; Corrie Tayman, Bethesda 80-80-89—249

8-California: 151-156-153—460; Sharon Park, Irvine 76-82-73—231; Kathy Kurata, Pasadena 75-74-83—232; Maki Kamimura, West Covina 81-84-80—245

9-Tennessee: 156-154-152—462; Kendall Martindale, Jefferson City 75-73-75—223; Paula Bell, Memphis 81-81-81—243; Rachel Ingram, Jonesborough 83-88-77—248

10-Minnesota: 151-153-160—464; Claudia Pilot, Austin 70-79-83—232; Leigh Klasse, St. Anthony 81-76-77—234; Alison Meyer, Duluth 86-77-89—252

11-Florida: 152-160-153—465; Wendi Golden, Bradenton 75-81-78—234; Meghan Stasi, Oakland Park 77-79-80—236; Gennifer Mendez, North Port 82-83-75—240

12-Pennsylvania: 161-155-153—469; Noreen Mohler, Bethlehem 78-79-74—231; Lisa McGill, Philadelphia 83-77-81—241; Carol Semple Thompson, Sewickley 85-78-79—242

13-Louisiana: 158-157-155—470; Julie Harrison, Baton Rouge 76-80-76—232; Sarah Davison, Choudrant 82-77-79—238; Kie McNabb, Deridder 82-85-82—249

T14-North Carolina: 156-160-155—471; Patty Moore, Charlotte 76-82-77—235; Staci Creech, Chapel Hill 80-79-78—237; Maggie Weder, Greenville 85-81-84—250

T14-Indiana: 162-160-149—471; Julie Carmichael, Indianapolis 81-82-73—236; Kristi Piepenbrink, Greenwood 81-78-80—239; Nina Whalen, Indianapolis 82-83-76—241

16-Massachusetts: 160-160-152—472; Chelsea Curtis, Mashpee 79-82-74—235; Pam Kuong, Wellesley Hills 81-81-82—244; Tara Joy-Connelly, Pembroke 92-79-78—249

17-Wisconsin: 157-165-152—474; Rheba Mabie, Boulder Junction 78-81-73—232; Maggie Leef, Brookfield 79-84-79—242; Vicky VandenBrook, Fitchburg 93-88-92—273

18-New York: 164-157-154—475; Christy Schultz, Rochester 81-78-77—236; Rene Sobolewski, Williamsville 83-79-77—239; Teresa Cleland, Syracuse 87-85-84—256

19-Texas: 157-164-155—476; Mina Hardin, Ft. Worth 78-83-77—238; Carolyn Creekmore, Dallas 79-82-78—239; Anna Schultz, Rockwall 80-82-80—242

20-Oregon: 160-164-158—482; Lara Tennant, Portland 82-78-77—237; Loree McKay, Portland 78-86-83—247; Charisse Spada, Portland 82-89-81—252

21-Arizona: 162-160-161—483; Thuhashini Selvaratnam, Tempe 78-75-75—228; Lynn Simmons, Phoenix 84-85-86—255; Barbara Byrnes, Mesa 89-95-89—273

T22-Virginia: 158-165-161—484; Mimi Hoffman, Springfield 79-81-80—240; Boodie McGurn, Richmond 79-84-84—247; Linda DiVall, Alexandria 84-85-81—250

T22-Michigan: 169-155-160—484; Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, Haslett 86-74-77—237; Mary Vajgrt, Kalamazoo 83-81-83—247; Theresa Delcamp, Grand Blanc 90-94-88—272

T24-Oklahoma: 158-170-157—485; LeeAnn Fairlie, Oklahoma City 78-87-77—242; Patty Coatney, Stillwater 80-87-80—247; Janet Miller, Catoosa 88-83-94—265

T24-Washington: 164-155-166—485; Leslie Folsom, Seattle 80-77-82—239; Anne Carr, Renton 86-78-84—248; Catherine Allen, Bellingham 84-95-90—269
26-Iowa: 164-160-162—486; Kendra Hanson, West Des Moines 82-79-82—243; Jenny Graeser, Cedar Falls 82-81-80—243; Therese Morgan, Ankeny 85-85-82—252

27-New Jersey: 167-161-160—488; Fran Gacos, Farmingdale 84-84-77—245; Adrienne MacLean, Verona 83-82-84—249;     Susan DeKalb, Middletown 91-79-83—253
    28-Utah: 169-160-160—489; Annette Gaiotti, Salt Lake City 83-83-78—244; Echo Thatcher, Salt Lake City 86-80-82—248; Tenille Slack, Lehi 94-80-82—256

29-Connecticut: 165-161-165—491; Daria Cummings, Monroe 86-75-77—238; Debbie Johnson, Stamford 79-86-88—253; Lisa Fern-Boros, Shelton 95-93-88—276
T30-Nevada: 168-166-161—495; Lisa Stanley, Reno 86-80-76—242; Christina Monteiro, Las Vegas 82-86-88—256; Christy Atencio, Reno 91-94-85—270

T30-Kansas: 169-160-166—495; Lacy Shelton, Overland Park 84-80-82—246; Kristy Rein, Great Bend 85-80-84—249; Gail Burden, Winfield 86-93-100—279

T32-Ohio: 168-164-164—496; Suzi Spotleson, Canton 82-80-80—242; Frederique Bruell, Shaker Heights 91-84-84—259; Pat Milton, Munroe Falls 86-86-93—265

T32-Illinois: 161-170-165—496; Kerry Postillion, Burr Ridge 75-82-79—236; Laura Carson, Lake Bluff 88-88-86—262;     DeAnne Stolarik, Zion 86-89-89—264

T32-South Dakota: 177-166-153—496; Julie Jansa, Sioux Falls 89-83-75—247; Karla Murra, Sioux Falls 89-83-78—250; Kelli Endahl, Sioux Falls 88-90-90—268

35-Alaska: 162-171-164—497; Margaux Sheehan, Anchorage 81-83-80—244; Jamie Berge, Anchorage 81-88-96—265; Rynae Baca, Wasilla 93-89-84—266

36-Nebraska: 167-170-162—499; Susan Marchese, Omaha 83-84-83—250; Jane Pohlman, Omaha 89-86-79—254; Anne Robertson, Columbus 84-93-89—266

37-West Virginia: 168-167-167—502; Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn, Morgantown 83-79-80—242; Caroline Ramsey, Bridgeport 88-88-87—263; Patricia Maroney, Glen Dale 85-93-91—269

T38-Arkansas: 168-167-171—506; Julie Oxendine, Russellville 83-85-84—252; Tanna Richard, Ft. Smith 85-82-87—254; Tracy Duncan, Blytheville 89-86-91—266

T38-Kentucky: 163-177-166—506; Sami Montgomery Wilson, Paris 86-88-84—258; Krissy Martin, Louisville 88-89-82—259; Susan Loyd, Lexington 77-95-87—259

40-Missouri: 174-167-166—507; Kathy Glennon, St. Albans 84-83-82—249; Mary Ann Beattie, Chesterfield 90-84-84—258; Ginny Orthwein, St. Louis 90-86-87—263

41-District of Columbia: 159-177-173—509; Janice Calomiris, Washington 75-86-87—248; Maggie Brady, Washington 84-91-86—261; Deborah Klein, Washington 88-94-93—275

T42-Delaware: 165-178-168—511; Christina Vosters, Bethany Beach 76-85-75—236; Sandra DiBiase, Hockessin 96-93-93—282; Karen Sergison, Ocean View 89-100-104—293

T42-Idaho: 176-167-168—511; Kareen Markle, Boise 91-80-83—254; Jean Smith, Eagle 92-87-85—264; Karen Darrington, Boise 85-93-86—264

44-New Mexico: 179-174-160—513; Paige Darwin, Albuquerque 93-86-77—256; Lara Davis, Albuquerque 86-88-83—257; Annette Sieben, Albuquerque 94-101-94—289

45-New Hampshire: 172-172-177—521; Dana Harrity, North Hampton 81-86-88—255; Louise Billy, Manchester 91-86-92—269; Andrea Morrell, Manchester 92-90-89—271

46-Rhode Island: 183-185-169—537; Debbie Cyronak, Warwick 96-89-84—269; Kibbe Reilly, Providence 87-100-85—272; Annie Corio, Johnston 103-96-90—289

47-Wyoming: 186-177-176—539; Miranda Bandemer, Laramie 89-87-94—270; Mary Smith, Sheridan 97-90-89—276; Sarah Bowman, Parkman 106-93-87—286

48-Montana: 194-182-188—564; Sable Hamilton, Colstrip 94-90-88—272; Susan Matson, Laurel 100-92-100—292; Julia     Jones, Missoula 105-102-107—314

49-Maine: 198-197-189—584; Barbara Rondeau, Bailey Island 101-96-97—294; Bernice Vadnais, Old Orchard Beach 97-101-100—298; Whitney Hand, Bucksport NC-102-92—NC

# # #

Sawyer Medals as Five Advance to US Mid Am

PHOTO GALLERY

North Plains, Ore. (Wednesday, September 3) – As the local representative of the USGA, the Oregon Golf Association conducted sectional qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship on the 6,934-yard layout at Pumpkin Ridge - Witch Hollow. This was one of 67 regional 18-hole qualifiers for the national championship that will be played October 3-8 at the Kiawah Island Club (Cassique) in Charleston, South Carolina.

Taking medalist honors in the field of 74 golfers was Chad Sawyer, 27, of West Linn, Ore. who shot 37-33—70 to be the lone player under par. Sawyer, who plays out of Eastmoreland Golf Club, won the Oregon Public Linkis Championship this year and was runner-up at the Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship. This marks the first time that he has qualified to play for a national title.

There were five players who finished regulation play at even par but had embark on a sudden-death playoff to determine which four would advance to the championship and who would take the position of first alternate. On the 171-yard par 3, second playoff hole, Tom Prevost, 52, of McMinnville, Ore. was one of three players who failed to hit the green send his ball long and right into tall grass and ultimately was only able to muster a triple-bogey to give him the alternate position.

Advancing to the championship is Scott Hval, 48, of Portland, Ore., Kelly Garland, 41, of North Plains, Ore., Michael Kloenne, 50, West Linn, Ore., Eric Larson, 43, of Beaverton, Ore.

Hval, the 1997 Oregon Amateur champion, has played in numerous USGA Championships. In addition to his 2007 Oregon Mid-Amateur title, he represented Oregon in the USGA State Team Championship. He was medalist at the US Amateur qualifier in 2005 and was also the second alternate to the US Mid-Amateur Championship that year. In 2004, he was the first alternate to the U.S. Mid-Amateur.

A playoff was also required for the second alternate position between Chris Maletis, 60, or Portland, Ore., Eric Fiskum, 33, of Salem, Ore. and Mark WIlson, 54, of Oakland, Ore.

Maletis, ranked 50th in the United States according to Golfweek’s Senior Amateur Rankings, was eliminated after he sent his approach shot into the tall grass and conceded the hole. That left Fiskum and Wilson to duke it out for the final alternate position. Fiskum, qualified for the national championship last year and in both 2003 and 2004 and was also the first alternate in 2006. He played in the 2004 and 2005 U.S. Amateur as well. The playoff was settled on the 533-yard 4th hole when Wilson 3-putted for bogey and Fiskum made par.

The championship is for amateurs golfer who are 25 years of age or older with a Handicap Index not exceeding 3.4. This year the USGA received 4,166 entries who will compete across the 67 qualifying sites for 239 spots into the field. The remaining 25 spots in the 264 player field are exemptions. All contestants will play 36 holes of stroke play qualifying at the site, with the low 64 advancing to match play for the championship. The U.S. Mid-Amateur champion receives an automatic invitation to the Masters and the U.S. Open.

The Mid-Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

OGA Announces Two Strategic Partnerships

The OGA is proud to announces two new strategic partnerships. We have joined with the leading Hole-In-One coverage company and have negotiated a terrific deal on behalf our Members, Member Clubs and Facilities. We also created a relationship with Tee To Green Custom Signage for golf courses looking for yardage markers designating the official yardages established by the OGA Course Rating department.

Hole-in-One U.S.A. was selected as the preferred vendor for hole-in-one coverage. They’ve been in the business since 1991 and have a knowledgeable golf staff that can help any event put together exciting and glamorous hole-in-one prizes along with cost effective insurance programs. The programs they’ve created are underwritten by Zurich North America, a leading global commercial property-casualty insurance provider for more than 130 years. Contact Hole-in-One U.S.A. and mention Code OGA0950 and you will receive 50% off your tournament fee - 800.383.7273

TTG Custom Signage is an industry leader, manufacturer and preferred supplier of official course yardage markers that will provide a $5 donation to Oregon Junior Golf for every marker sold in the spirit of “Growing the Game.”

OGA Selects Players for USGA State Team Competition

Woodburn, Ore. (September 1, 2009)— Lara Tennant, Charisse Spada and Loree McKay have been selected, based on their performance points earned over the past two seasons, to represent Oregon at the 8th USGA State Team Championship, September 1-3 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Tennant, 42, was the oldest player at age 39 to make the cut to match play at the US Women’s Amateur when it was held at Pumpkin Ridge in 2006. The stay at home mother of five, is a member of the Oregon Golf Association Executive Committee and has served as co-chair of Oregon Junior Golf for several years. She was once the women’s golf coach at the University of Oregon and holds numerous Oregon titles including the Oregon Mid-Amateur, Tournament of Champions, Women’s Stroke Play and Women’s Team Championship.

Spada, 48, is a former 2-time Oregon Amateur Champion having won in 1982 and 1999. She is a past president of the Oregon Golf Association and presently serves on the OGA Executive Committee. She is the owner of Duck Delivery, a fresh produce wholesaler in the Portland area.

McKay, 52, has had a stellar year, winning the Oregon Mid-Amateur title, Women’s Pacific Northwest Mid-Amateur and the Oregon Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship. She is close friend of Jerry Mowlds, a Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor.

This year, for the first time since its inception, the Women’s State Team and Men’s State Team will be contested in different states and on different dates. Beginning in 2010, the Men’s State Team and Women’s State Team Championships will be held in alternate years, starting with the Men in 2010 and followed by the Women in 2011.

The event was created as part of the USGA’s Centennial celebration in 1995, with a format fashioned after the biennial World Amateur Team Championship where the low two scores for each day’s play counts as the 3-person team’s score. Teams are selected by each state golf association or administrative body. Collegiate players are not eligible to compete in this championship under NCAA rules. A total of eight USGA champions and six Curtis Cup members are in the field. Three past or present Curtis Cup captains are also entered.

The field will play 18 holes on each of three stroke-play rounds Sept. 1-3 (Tuesday-Thursday). The two lowest scores from each three-person team constitute the team score for each round. The three-day total is the team’s score for the championship. Any first-place ties are broken by the final-round score from the team’s non-scoring player. If the teams are still tied, the tiebreaker will be the second-round score from the team’s non-scoring player.

No state has won more than one title in the Women’s competition. Pennsylvania claimed the inaugural championship in 1995, followed by Alabama (1997), Florida (1999), Minnesota (2001), Ohio (2003), Georgia (2005) and Arizona (2007). The Minnesota men and women both won in 2001 when the event was held outside of Minneapolis at Woodhill Country Club (women) and Hazeltine National Golf Club (men). The 1999 event won by Florida was shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather.

For more information on the championship visit www.stateteam.org.

Telles Captures PNGA Public Links Title

Corvallis, Oregon (Sunday, August 30, 2009) – Isaiah Telles of Tualatin, Ore. used an even par 72 to capture the title at the 2009 PNGA Men’s Amateur Public Links Championship held at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, Ore.

After a difficult front nine that saw Telles shoot a 2-over par 38 and fall back into a tie for the lead, he regained his composure on the back nine with a 2-under par 34. The turning point in the round came at the par-5 14th hole in which Telles made an eagle three to regain the lead and never gave it back. Telles’ two day total of 6-under par 138 bettered second place finishers Brandon Taylor of Corvallis, Ore. and Jesse Schutte of Eugene, Ore. by two shots. Telles is entering his sophomore year at the University of Oregon where he was a key contributor to last year’s team that advanced to the National Championship.

In the PNGA Senior Men’s Amateur Public Links, Kent Brown of Colville, Wash. surpassed six players on the day to win his fourth consecutive title. Brown began the day five shots back, but fired an even par 72 to ceal the victory by one stroke over 2005 champion Jim Gibbons of Wilsonville, Ore. First round leader Del Spiker of Lebanon, Ore. fell back to 4th place after a 7-over par 79.

Cathy Kim of Bellevue, Wash. impressed again today firing a 2-under par 70 for a 36-hole total of 5-under par 139 to win the PNGA Women’s Amateur Public Links. Kim defeated last years champion Kate Hildahl of Tualatin, Ore. by two strokes, as Hildahl made a good run at defending her title with a 3-under par 69. Kim and Hildahl were the only two players in the field to break par over the two days.

To be eligible for the Pacific Northwest Men’s and Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, contestants must be a bona fide public course player since January 1, 2009 and be a member in good standing at a PNGA public golf course only. Contestants in the amateur division must have a handicap of 16.4 or less, a handicap index of 20.4 or less in the senior division, and a handicap of 40.4 or less in the women’s division. The championship consists of 36 holes of stroke play gross and net.

The PNGA Men’s and Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship are two of 15 regional championships conducted annually by the PNGA. For more information about the PNGA and the Amateur Public Links, you can visit www.thepnga.org.

The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) was founded on February 4, 1899. It is a 501©3 charitable, international amateur golf association dedicated to preserving the true spirit of the game of golf and promoting activities beneficial to golfers in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The PNGA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of men and women, from private and public golf clubs, representing every geographic region of the Northwest. These Directors are elected by volunteer Club Representatives who are appointed by their clubs to be liaisons to the Association.

PNGA territory is broken down into five zones, which are: Zone 1 – Oregon; Zone 2 – Eastern Washington; Zone 3 – Western Washington and Alaska; Zone 4 British Columbia and Alberta; and Zone 5: Idaho and Montana. There are approximately 220,000 individuals at over 720 PNGA member golf clubs.

The original purpose of the PNGA was to conduct a regional amateur championship for men and women. For more than 110 years, the Association has been a pioneer in developing competitions and services and its mission has grown and evolved. Today, the PNGA remains committed to being a truly “regional” organization providing benefits and services to its members and member clubs throughout the Northwest.

Trysting Tree Golf Club
Amateur Championship: 6,922 yards par 72
Senior Amateur Championship: 6,481 yards par 72
Women’s Amateur Championship: 5,712 yards par 72

Amateur Championship
Isaiah Telles, Tualatin, Ore. - 66-72—138
Jesse Schutte, Eugene, Ore. - 70-70—140
Brandon Taylor, Corvallis, Ore. - 70-70—140
Broc Johnson, Auburn, Wash. - 73-68—141
Adam Strength, Tualatin, Ore. - 70-71—141
Evan Needham, Lynden, Wash. - 69-73—142
Jon McCaslin, Olympia, Wash. - 74-69—143
Sean Packer, Bonney Lake, Wash. - 71-72—143
Sam Ayotte, Corvallis, Ore. - 70-73—143
Travis Milleman, Mcminnville, Ore. - 76-68—144
Steve Belt, McMinnville, Ore. - 72-72—144
Sulman Raza, Eugene, Ore. - 74-70—144
Justin Casey Kadin, Corvallis, Oregon - 71-73—144
Blake Jones, Camas, Wash. - 73-71—144
Matt Epstein, Monroe, Wash. - 70-74—144
Alex Moore, Corvallis, Ore. - 73-71—144
Thomas J Hanacek, Portland, Ore. - 70-76—146
Paul Pavlos, Woodinville, Wash. - 75-71—146
Dustin Andres, Tualatin, Ore. - 74-72—146
Stephen Hartnett, Boise, Idaho - 75-72—147
Justin Virden, Keizer, Ore. - 75-72—147
Andy Yang, Coquitlam, BC - 74-73—147
Kim Hubbart, Sammamish, Wash. - 76-72—148
Billy Anderson, Eugene, Ore. - 72-76—148
Marcus Potter, Tualatin, Oregon - 72-76—148
Mike Joaquin, Surrey, BC - 74-75—149
Dan Foss, Astoria, Ore. - 73-76—149
Charles Lee, Auburn, Wash. - 70-79—149
Casey King, Blue River, Ore. - 72-77—149
Casey Adams, Olympia, Wash. - 74-76—150
Jimmy Hayes, Mill Creek, Wash. - 71-79—150
Ross Jesswein, Medford, Ore. - 71-79—150
Michael Ostergaard, Marysville, Wash. - 78-73—151
Michael Johnson, Eagle, Idaho - 75-76—151
Austin D Willhite, Vida, Ore. - 74-77—151
Ken Jenson, Mountlake Terrace, Wash. - 74-77—151
Jason Lo, Lake Tapps, Wash. - 76-76—152
Ty Travis, Eagle, Idaho - 75-77—152
Mathew Rademacher, Gladstone, Ore. - 76-76—152
Michael Dolder, Snohomish, Wash. - 75-77—152
Mat Hennick, Kenmore, Wash. - 75-77—152
Brian Phillips, Snoqualmie, Wash. - 80-73—153
Dr. Marc Goodell, Vancouver, Wash. - 79-74—153
Mark Kloske, Lake Cowichan, BC - 73-80—153
Doug Potter, Tualatin, Ore. - 73-81—154
Randy Harbick, Blue River, Ore. - 78-78—156
Scott Coffman, Washougal, Wash. - 78-78—156
Morgan Mcgowan, Anacortes, Wash. - 77-80—157
Mark Ohrenschall, Kenmore, Wash. - 82-77—159
Dan Swanson, Sammamish, Wash. - 79-80—159
John N Vassion, Spanaway, Wash. - 82-77—159
Darin Harbick, Blue River, Ore. - 81-78—159
Chris Dudley, Boise, Idaho - 81-78—159
Joe Thompson, Beaverton, Ore. - 83-77—160
John Telles, Tualatin, Ore. - 78-83—161
Denny Swofford, Phoenix, Ariz. - 79-83—162
Robert Miller, Springfield, Ore. - 82-81—163
Mathew Raczko, Lake Oswego, Ore. - 79-84—163
Jonathan McDonald, Portland, Ore. - 78-85—163
Doug Rich, Naches, Wash. - 85-79—164
Jordan Kuehn, Renton, Wash. - 84-80—164
Ronald R. Shelton, Kent, Wash. - 85-80—165
Calvin Green, Springfield, Ore. - 82-83—165
Lee Schelley Jr, Carnation, Wash. - 84-82—166
Jeffrey Williams, Tacoma, Wash. - 83-83—166
Trey Harbick, Blue River, Ore. - 84-83—167
Scott Robison, Portland, Ore. - 82-85—167
Jason Barth, Edmonds, Wash. - 83-86—169
Doug Geoffroy, Portland, Ore. - 84-86—170
Brent Johnson, Auburn, Wash. - 87-83—170
Les Klopp, Carnation, Wash. - 86-87—173
Mo Khamlichi, Seattle, Wash. - 87-87—174
Scott Newell, Pullman, Wash. - 89-87—176
Radu Stoica, Snohomish, Wash. - 86-93—179
Dale L. Belt, Yamhill, Ore. - 91-88—179
James Brookins, Vernonia, Ore. - 93-89—182
Kevin Pham, Troutdale, Ore. - 92-90—182
David Neighbor, Corvallis, Ore. - 90-92—182
Mike Poole, Bothell, Wash. - 97-89—186
Brian Rukavina, Vancouver, B.C. - 96-94—190

Senior Amateur Championship
Kent Brown, Colville, Wash. - 78-72—150
Rich Evenson, Mercer Island, Wash. - 77-74—151
Jim Gibbons, Wilsonville, Ore. - 74-77—151
Kim Wenger, Eugene, Ore. - 76-76—152
Del Spiker, Lebanon, Ore. - 73-79—152
Hal Downey, Richland, Wash. - 76-77—153
Dan Weerts, Corvallis, Ore. - 78-77—155
Roger Telford, Goldendale, Wash. - 80-77—157
Lloyd G Jackson, Bothell, Wash. - 74-83—157
Vern Jones, Westport, Wash. - 80-80—160
Doug Schwab, Gig Harbor, Wash. - 80-81—161
Leo Solis, Richland, Wash. - 78-83—161
Jim Schott, Kennewick, Wash. - 78-83—161
John Johnson, Hoodsport, Wash. - 82-81—163
L Stephen Kay, Burien, Wash. - 82-87—169
Rodger Manning, Gig Harbor, Wash. - 88-87—175
Thomas Hogan, Snohomish, Wash. - 85-93—178
Douglas J Casad, North Bend, Wash. - 88-97—185

Women’s Amateur Championship
Cathy Kim, Bellevue, Wash. - 69-70—139
Kate Hildahl, Tualatin, Ore. - 72-69—141
Nicole A Olson, Boise, Idaho - 70-75—145
Lauren C Archer, Boise, Idaho - 70-76—146
Seshia-Lei K Telles, Tualatin, Ore. - 73-74—147
Kaitlen Parsons, Greenacres, Wash. - 75-73—148
Brittany Tallman, Issaquah, Wash. - 75-73—148
Vanessa L Sinclair, Allyn, Wash. - 73-75—148
Erica Omlid, Springfield, Ore. - 72-76—148
Whitney L. French, Laguna Niguel, Calif. - 76-73—149
Cherokee Kim, DuPont, Wash. - 75-75—150
Alexis Keating, Elma, Wash. - 76-76—152
Cathrine Kay, Seattle, Wash. - 72-81—153
A Ram Choi, Surrey, B.C. - 77-77—154
Chelsey Lind, Bend, Ore. - 76-79—155
Elyse Okada, Kula, Hawaii - 75-81—156
Monika Graf, Eugene, Ore. - 81-75—156
Karen Kloske, Lake Cowichan, B.C. - 77-79—156
Kristina Gargaro, Port Moody, B.C. - 77-79—156
Brittany Stewart, Eloy, Ariz. - 76-80—156
Sophie Elstrott, Eugene, Ore. - 78-82—160
Lana Cox, Seattle, Wash. - 79-81—160
Maria Stoica, Snohomish, Wash. - 80-81—161
Patty Ann Myers, Olympia, Wash. - 78-83—161
Corinne Corey, Albany, Ore. - 80-84—164
Katharine Gerrish, Portland, Ore. - 83-82—165
Mary Ryan, Renton, Wash. - 86-80—166
Sheila Locke, Renton, Wash. - 85-82—167
Michelle Grome, Edmonds, Wash. - 82-85—167
Elaine Whaley, Spokane, Wash. - 90-81—171
Laura Risher, Issaquah, Wash. - 89-95—184
Diane Malmoe, Spokane, Wash. - 97-89—186
Lindsey Hayter, Everett, Wash. - 101-92—193
Paula M Hood, Seattle, Wash. - 107-103—210
Jen Kolden, Seattle, Wash. - 122-105—227

Hur Captures 1st LPGA Title at Safeway Classic

North Plains, Ore. (Sunday, August 30)—M.J. Hur, a South Korean rookie on the LPGA tour came from the back of the pack and overcame a 4-shot deficit by shooting a 7-under par final round 65 for her first LPGA Tour victory, the Safeway Classic held at Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek Golf Course in North Plains, Ore. But it took a 6-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole to win.

The playoff, which included Norway’s Suzann Pettersen and American veteran Michele Redman who both had finished regulation at 13-under 203 to set up the playoff and had both birdied 17 to help set up the playoff. Redman, whose last tour victory came in 2000, was knocked out when she missed a short putt for par on the first playoff hole, the par-4 No. 18.

The 17th was a driveable par-4, with the tour placing the tee at only 224-yards, 100-yards closer than in prior rounds. With a front right hole location guarded by water, players tried to hit cut shots often coming up a little short and left of the hole with an opportunity to get up and down for a birdie which is exactly how Hur executed her second go-around.

Petterson, on the other hand, short-sided herself nearly sending her drive into the stream that guards the right side of the green and leaving little hope of getting it close.

After sinking the putt, Hur pushed her fist into the air then was promplty chased down the fairway by a a friend trying to douse her with champagne. Hur competed on the Futures Tour last season and had played in 13 previous LPGA events this year, making the cut six times. With her victory, she takes home the winners check of $255,000 and a new Rolex watch, a momento given to all first-time winners on the LPGA Tour.

Pettersen had four straight birdies to climb atop the leaderboard and had a three-stroke lead until a double bogey on the par-5 No. 15 brought her back to the pack. She was a runner-up at the Corona Championship earlier this year and had eight top-10 finishes before Sunday. She has not won since her banner 2007 year when she won five times in the season.

Hur’s pairing included the popular Christina Kim who had OGA GOlfer of the Year, Jim Dunlap as her caddie. Kim took the lead after an eagle on the par-5 10th hole, but was unable to sink a number of birdie opportunities coming down the stretch. She finished in a tie for eighth along with Washington’s Paige MacKenzie. MacKenzie shot a final round 66 for her best career finish.

Also shooting 66 was Michelle Wie, She said she’s been gaining confidence, boosted by her performance in the Solheim Cup where she led the United States to a victory over the European team last weekend in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

Second round leader, Anna Nordqvist, a rookie who won the LPGA Championship earlier this year, took command on the first hole with a birdie, but gave it back on the next hole and was unable to muster any game the rest of the day scoring only pars for the remainder of Sunday’s final round.

Defending champion Cristie Kerr finished well back at 5 under with a 72. Oregon’s Allison Hanna-Williams missed the cut by 1-stroke.

Beckel and Morosin Take Net Championship Titles

WOODBURN, ORE. (Sunday, August 30, 2009) – Helen “Rusty” Beckel, of Milwaukie, Ore., a 7.9-Handicap Index came from behind to shoot a final round net 3-under par 69 to win by 5-strokes in the Women’s Division at the Oregon Net Championship at the OGA Golf Course in Woodburn, Ore. The purpose of Net competition is to level the playing field so that all players have an opportunity to win regardless of age and playing ability.

The competition was closer in the Men’s Division as first round leader Steve Morosin of Cottage Grove, Ore., a 10.9 Index, shot a second incredible net 65 to finish the championship at 16-under par and a 1-stroke victory over Eric Quon, a 12.2 Index from Cornelius, Ore.

A handicap index is computed using only the lowest ten of the players last twenty scores and measures a player’s potential ability. Players are expected to play to their handicap just twenty percent of the time. USGA Handicap Indexes are just one of the services provided to members of all OGA member clubs.

Oregon Sports Hall of Fame to Induct Cundari

Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary, Announces 2009 Inductees

The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum has announced its 2009 class of inductees. According to Mike Rose, executive director, the Hall of Fame will induct 7 new members to join over 325 prior inductees. The presentations will be made at the Multnomah Athletic Club, Tuesday, September 29, during the 30th annual induction ceremony.

This year’s class includes the Brock brothers: Stan of Jesuit High School, University of Colorado, and New Orleans Saints/San Diego Chargers football fame, and Pete of Jesuit, University of Colorado and New England Patriots; Jerry Cundari, national and international amateur golf champion; Jonathan Stark, world tennis doubles number 1 ranked ATP player; Tom Levak, national and international Karate masters champion; Anna Maria Lopez, outstanding volleyball and basketball player at St. Mary’s Academy and USC, currently Athletic Director at St. Mary’s; Chuck Richards, Olympic pentathlete and amateur sports philanthropist; and Gary Payton, Oregon State basketball All American and NBA Seattle Sonics famed point guard.

Each year the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame helps preserve Oregon’s rich sports heritage through its recognition of outstanding Oregon athletes and special contributors to sport.

In addition, Oregon Sports Hall of Fame college scholarships will be awarded to Oregon scholar-athletes, made possible by contributions from the MacTarnahan Family Trust. Six student athletes will be awarded $2000 scholarships to be used for continuing their education at Oregon colleges and universities. This year’s student athletes are: Caleb Cardwell, Lowell High School; Kevan Johnson, Newport High School; Terrence Michael Travis II, Springfield High School; Megan Boisa, Nestucca High School; Emily Davison, Redmond High School; and Meagan Fine, Madras High School.

The event will be held once again at the Multnomah Athletic Club, with a reception starting at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner and program at 7 PM. Veteran sportscaster, Bill Schonely is emcee. Oregonian sports columnist and KXTG radio talk show host, John Canzano will keynote. Tickets are $80 per person; tables of 10 are $750. Please call the Hall of Fame at 503/227-7466 for additional information and ticket orders.

The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame recognizes and honors Oregon’s rich athletic history with our museum and annual induction and awards ceremony. The Hall of Fame’s goal is to inspire participation in sport and foster awareness of the values and life-long rewards gained from this participation.

The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is currently closed to the public while seeking a new location, and can be reached at 503/227-7466, and www.oregonsportshall.org.

“Golf is a Compromise between what your ego wants you to do and what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.”

2009 Inductee - Jerry Cundari (Golf)

College:
NCAA All-American in 1961, University of Oregon, along with Jack Nicklaus.
Pac 8 individual champion, 1962,
University of Oregon Hall of Fame – 1998

State of Oregon:
Oregon Junior Amateur Champion 1956
Oregon Senior Amateur Champion 1993 and 1994
Oregon Super Senior 2006, 2007, and 2008
OGA Tournament of Champions Winner 1972
OGA Parent-Child Chapman Champion 1984 (has played in the event more than 50 times!)

City of Portland & NW:
Portland City Champion 1968, 2000, 2002 & 2005
Oregon Coast Tournament 1995 and 1996
Pac. NW Golf Assoc. Finalist 1962 and 1997
Club Champion: Columbia- Edgewater CC – 5 Times / Portland Golf Club – 5 Times
Seniors Northwest Champion 2004, 2006 and 2007 (Victoria BC)

US National:
National: Qualifier in 12 U.S.G.A. Events:
U.S. Amateur 1958, 1961, 1963 and 1975
US Senior Open 1995 and 1997
US Senior Amateur 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2008

International:
British Sr. Am. England 1997

Mike Reid Wins Jeld-Wen Tradition In Playoff

SUNRIVER, Ore. – Champions Tour professional Mike Reid won the 2009 JELD-WEN Tradition in a one-hole-playoff over John Cook at the Jeld-Wen Tradition, the fourth major on The Champions Tour held at The Crosswater Club in Sunriver, Ore. After finishing Sunday’s final round tied at 16-under-par, Reid and Cook headed back to the tee of the 456-yard 18th hole, where Reid’s eventual birdie named him the winner and awarded him $392,000.

Reid, a two-time champion on the PGA TOUR, joined the Champions Tour in 2004 and previously had only one Champions Tour victory under his belt; the 2005 Senior PGA Championship. His victory at the Tradition puts him in an elite group of pros whose first two Champions Tour victories came at major championships: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Peter Jacobsen. Reid’s victory also provided him with an exemption to next week’s Boeing Classic in Seattle – allowing him to cancel his tee time in the event’s Monday qualifying tournament.

Brad Bryant, the wire-to-wire leader for the tournament’s first three rounds, finished solo in third place at 14-under-par. Larry Mize finished in fourth place at 13-under-par and Tom Watson, Loren Roberts and defending champion Fred Funk were tied for fifth at 11-under-par.

Final scores and payouts can be found at www.pgatour.com.

Field Set for 2009 Safeway Classic

Most of the field for the LPGA Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge, Aug. 28 - 31, has been established. Here is the list of confirmed players.

Shi Hyun Ahn
Helen Alfredsson
Beth Bader
Kyeong Bae
Marisa Baena
Erica Blasberg
Heather Bowie Young
Audra Burks
Nicole Castrale
Silvia Cavalleri
Irene Cho
Jeanne Cho-Hunicke
Chella Choi
Hye Jung Choi
Na Yeon Choi
Il Mi Chung
Paula Creamer
Diana D’Alessio
Eva Dahllof
Laura Davies
Dorothy Delasin
Laura Diaz
Danielle Downey
Meredith Duncan
Moira Dunn
Mollie Fankhauser
Allison Fouch
Meaghan Francella
Louise Friberg
Katie Futcher
Sandra Gal
Sophie Giquel
Julieta Granada
Anna Grzebien
Natalie Gulbis
Russy Gulyanamitta
Sophie Gustafson
Kim Hall
Hee-Won Han
Allison Hanna-Williams
Marcy Hart
Rachel Hetherington
Maria Hjorth
Jin Joo Hong
Katherine Hull
Jamie Hullett
Amy Hung

M.J. Hur
Pat Hurst
Vicky Hurst
Karine Icher
Juli Inkster
Becky Iverson
Jeong Jang
Jimin Jeong
Eun-Hee Ji
Young Jo
Lorie Kane
Haeji Kang
Jimin Kang
Soo-Yun Kang
Sarah Kemp
Cristie Kerr
Birdie Kim (out)
Christina Kim
In-Kyung Kim
Joo Mi Kim
Mindy Kim
Song-Hee Kim
Young Kim
Carin Koch
Candie Kung
Brittany Lang
Jee Young Lee
Jeehae Lee
Meena Lee
Sarah Lee
Seon Hwa Lee
Stacy Lewis
Brittany Lincicome
Leta Lindley
Carolina Llano
Stephanie Louden
Teresa Lu
Catriona Matthew
Charlotte Mayorkas
Jill McGill
Kristy McPherson
Ai Miyazato
Mika Miyazato
Anja Monke
Janice Moodie
Becky Morgan
Johanna Mundy

Liselotte Neumann
Anna Nordqvist
Lorena Ochoa
Ji Young Oh
Shiho Oyama
Jin Young Pak
Se Ri Pak
Angela Park (out)
Hee Young Park
Inbee Park
Jane Park
Mikaela Parmlid
Suzann Pettersen
Stacy Prammanasudh
Morgan Pressel
Reilley Rankin
Cindy Rarick
Anna Rawson
Michele Redman
Jennifer Rosales
Giulia Sergas
Alena Sharp
Jiyai Shin
Ashleigh Simon
Karin Sjodin
Sarah Jane Smith
Aree Song (out)
Louise Stahle
Angela Stanford
Lisa Strom
Karen Stupples
Kris Tamulis
Kris Tschetter
Yani Tseng
Momoko Ueda
Wendy Ward
Karrie Webb
Michelle Wie
Leah Wigger
Lindsey Wright
Amy Yang
Eunjung Yi
Sung Ah Yim
Sun Young Yoo

Sponsor Exemptions:
1. Samantha Richdale
2. Amy Eneroth (a)

Qualifiers:
1. TBD
2. TBD

Additional spots to complete field:

(**) Two additional spots will be held for players who have not already committed to the tournament as of Sunday,3:00p.m.local time prior to the event using the following criteria:(1) Winner of preceding week’s event; (2) Hall of Fame member; (3) LPGA member in the top 10 of the current year’s Official Money List.
(If no one qualifies under the category above the remaining spot (s) will go back to the alternate list below.)

(Q)Two spots will be filled by the top-two finishers from the Qualifier.

Alternates
—————
001 Paige Mackenzie (in)
002 Taylor Leon (in)
003 Na Ri Kim (in)
004 Becky Lucidi
005 Brandi Jackson
006 Jackie Gallagher-Smith
007 Carri Wood
008 Mina Harigae (09 Duramed Futures Tour 3 time winner)
009 Michelle Ellis
010 Mhairi McKay
011 Kate Golden
012 Nontaya Srisawang
013 Tania Elosegui
014 Song Yi Choi
015 Jessica Shepley
016 Kim Welch
017 Allison Finney
018 Christi Cano
019 Maru Martinez
020 Pornanong Phatlum
021 Nicole Hage
022 Janell Howland
023 Sunny Oh
024 Vicki Goetze-Ackerman
025 Tracy Hanson
026 A.J. Eathorne
027 Kim Williams

Honorary Observers at the Jeld-Wen

On Sunday, our essay contest winner had the unique opportunity to be an Honorary Observer inside the ropes for the final round of the Jeld-Wen Tradition. But at one point, it looked as thought G-Pa and Tristan would not get the chance.
In case you missed reading the winning entry - CLICK HERE!

The Champions Tour, unbeknowst to the organizers of the contest, has a policy that does not allow a 7-year old inside the ropes. We only knew that the winner would have to be able to walk a minimum of 9-holes. When initially told of the policy, Tristan, needless to say was disappointed. We all certainly understood why. It is one of five majors on the Champions Tour and there is lots of money on the line.

We went back to the tour and asked for very basic consideration. Let Tristan take the picture with the players prior to the start of the round, then give him the autographed picture at the end of the round. The Tour quickly agreed to that, and then - lo and behold—the night before the start of the Championship, they did a complete about-face and decided to allow Tristan all aspects of the Honorary Observer position.

A special thanks to Lindsay Allen of Peter Jacobsen Sports for helping organize the contest, Evan Byers, Jeld-Wen Tournament Director, Linda Mercer of the PGA Tour for helping with the final decision and Jeld-Wen for sponsoring this major championship and bringing the legends of the game to their home state.

G-Pa sent us some pictures and a recap of the day’s events.

“Tristan and I had a delightful day at The Tradition on Sunday. We were paired with the 8:40am group which included Scott Simpson, Jim Thorpe and Mike McCullough. Being inside the ropes is a unique experience. We managed to keep a comfortable distance yet close enough to hear the players and caddy’s interact. The experience was insightful as the player’s discussed yardages and club selection. The quality of shots is impressive.

One of the caddy’s told us that we were walking 7 1/2 miles and Tristan managed to cover the entire 18 holes. Never complained once!! A 7 year old has short legs and trudging through the thick rough was tiring, even for G-Pa.

Here is a photo with the player’s and Tristan showing off his collection of keepsakes.

Thanks OGA for making this happen.”

Tom (G-Pa) & Tristan

Brad Bryant Leads Tradition after record setting round

SUNRIVER, Ore. – Champions Tour professional Brad Bryant ran away with the first round of the JELD-WEN Tradition, starting with a 7-under-par in his first nine holes. “I just played really well today,” said Bryant, “It was probably one of my top-5 ball-striking days in my career.”

Bryant’s final 10-under-par 62 was the low round of his professional career and tied the tournament record set in 2001 by Doug Tewell and matched in 2003 by Tom Watson. His 29 on the front nine also tied the tournament’s low nine-hole record, set in 1991 by Jim Dent and matched in 2001 by Doug Tewell.

2009 Senior British Open champion Loren Roberts is sitting solo in second place after shooting 7-under-par 65. Tied for third at 5-under-par 67 are 2003 JELD-WEN Tradition champion Tom Watson and Champions Tour rookie Tom Lehman. Four players, including defending champion Fred Funk, are tied at 4-under-par.

Loren Roberts’ Team Wins Nike Golf Junior Shootout

LOREN ROBERTS’ TEAM WINS NIKE GOLF JUNIOR SHOOTOUT
First round of the JELD-WEN Tradition starts Thursday, August 20 at 8:20 a.m.
Click Here for Pairings

SUNRIVER, Ore. – Champions Tour professional Loren Roberts teamed with Purdue University freshman Arthur Kim and Wilsonville High School sophomore Juhee Lee to win the 2009 JELD-WEN Tradition’s NIKE GOLF Junior Shootout.

After four holes, the top-three scoring teams moved on to the final fifth hole to determine the shootout winners. Loren Roberts’ team won with a birdie on hole number five.

Place Professional          Junior
1       Loren Roberts       Arthur Kim, Purdue University Freshman
                                   Juhee Lee, Wilsonville High School Sophomore

2 Lanny Wadkins Nick Chianello, University of Portland Freshman
Lindsay Harmon, Lake Oswego High School Junior

3 Fred Funk Daniel Engle, Oregon State University Freshman
Caroline Inglis, Eugene High School Sophomore

Eliminated after four holes

John Cook Alex Harding, University of Portland Freshman
Aubrie Street, Medford High School Senior

Sandy Lyle Jesse Heinly, Bend High School Senior
Amy Beth Simanton, UC Davis Freshman

Tom Lehman Nick Sherwood, Oregon State University Freshman
Sharon Shin, West Linn High School Junior

Tee times for Thursday start at 8:20 a.m. and run through 12:22 p.m. A complete listing of first and second round tee times can be found
at www.jeld-wentradition.com or www.pgatour.com.

Mt. Bachelor Shuttles
Mt. Bachelor will be providing shuttle service during tournament week, Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23, from Bend to Crosswater. Bus service will commence at 7:30 a.m. each day from the Orvis parking lot at the Shops at the Old Mill, departing from and returning to Bend at regular intervals starting at 7:30 a.m. and finishing an hour after play is ended. Busses will be most frequent after 12:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This shuttle service is offered to the general public free of charge, courtesy of Mt. Bachelor.

JELD-WEN Tradition Food Drive
The 2009 JELD-WEN Tradition is set to host a food drive on-site at the tournament, Thursday-Sunday, August 20-23. The food drive is one of many taking place this summer across the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour. The food drive will be managed by Central Oregon non-profit organization NeighborImpact. Tournament attendees are encouraged to bring canned or non-perishable food items to donate. Donations brought to the tournament will be collected in the General Parking Lot C, located at the La Pine Fire Station. Donations may also be dropped off in Bend at the Tower Theater or in the Orvis parking lot at the Shops at the Old Mill.

About the JELD-WEN Tradition
All net proceeds from the JELD-WEN Tradition benefit innovative, educational nonprofits throughout Oregon. Thus far, the JELD-WEN Tradition Foundation has distributed more than $1.6 million to charity. The seventh annual JELD-WEN Tradition, an official event on the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour and Oregon’s premier professional golf tournament, is one of five major championships on the Champions Tour, and will be held at Crosswater Club in Sunriver, Ore., Aug. 17–23, 2009. For more information, visit www.JELD-WENTradition.com.

Safeway Classic Pro-Am To Host Junior Golfers

With its ongoing support for Oregon Junior Golf, Tournament Golf Foundation has awarded one of its pro-am pairings at the LPGA Safeway Classic to be used by the OGA to reward Junior Golfers who have demonstrated their community spirit and support by giving back to the game.

“We are certainly proud of the top-flight players that have developed their game through our progam,” noted Charlotte Plank, OGA Director of Junior Golf. “But more important is the thousands of youngsters who’ve been taught golf etiquette, sportsmanship and community spirit. They get so much out of the game that will last them their lifetime whether on the course or in their day-to-day lives. It’s important that they recognize what they’ve gained and that they are giving back.”

The criteria used to select players who would be bestowed with this unique honor was as follows:

1.    The golfer had to be 12 years of age or older and a member of Oregon Junior Golf.
2.    The golfer had to have demonstrated ongoing contributions by having volunteered to carry over/under boards both this year and last which help Oregon Junior Golf earn significant and necessary operating funds.
3.    The golfer must not have been selected to represent Oregon in the North Pacific Ladies Cup, Junior Americas Cup or Hogan Cup Team Matches.
4.    Those that meet all of the above criteria are then selected from the Oregon Junior Golf Performance Points Lists based on average points earned in Oregon Junior Golf Events.

Those that have earned this first time honor are as follows:

Name	Events Played	Total Pts	Rank (Respective Lists)	Average Pts	Rank (Overall)
Morgan Thompson	8	330.00	4	41.25	10
Tess Jennings	15	386.25	2	25.75	24
Nigel Lett	11	259.17	7	23.56	27
Gigi Stoll	17	391.75	1	23.04	30
ALTERNATES
Max Carter (1st)	11	185.84	13	16.89	43
Connie Zhou (2nd)	7	110.00	12	15.71	44

BC Captures Team Title at Hogan Cup

VISIT THE OFFICIAL HOGAN CUP WEBSITE

PORTLAND, ORE. (Sunday, August 16, 2009) – It came down to the final foursome on the final hole with the Team from Hawaii holding onto a 2-stroke lead over the first round leaders from British Columbia at the 41st Hogan Cup Team Matches at Riverside GOlf & Country Club in Portland, Ore.

The team from Hawaii actually dominated the second day of play, and would have run away with the title if not for three birdies on the final two holes by British Columbia; one by Kevin Kwon of Pitt Meadows and two from Bryan Lichimo of North Vancouver. That setup the final hole with a pairing that included British Columbia’s Charlie Hughes of Maple Ridge and Hawaii’s Bradley Shigezawa of Honolulu.

While both would finish the tournament tied at 1-under par 143, Hughes once again became the hero of the day, much like he did last month at the Boys Junior America’s Cup Team Matches when he scored four birdies and an eagle in his final six holes to end up at 5-under par 65 and give his team an 8-stroke margin of victory at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena, Calif.

“Its really special to win this since there were four teams that had a shot to win,” said Hughes, who will attend the University of Washington in the fall. In this event, it was far closer contest as it came down to Hughes making a birdie on the final hole and a double bogey by Shigezawa to give the edge to British Columbia for its first ever Hogan Cup title. “This really puts BC golf on the map,” he added.

The Hawaii team was lead by medalist Justin Keiley of Haiku shooting 71-70-141. He turned it on during the final 9 today shooting 4-under par 32 with five birdies and 1-bogey.

“I shot the same score last year which was only good enough for third,” noted Keiley. “This year the course was tougher. The greens were faster, the rough was much longer and there was less roll in the fairway. I came here knowing what I wanted to shoot and I accomplished what I set out to.” Unfortunately, while his Hawaii team did improve their team score by 1-stroke in the final round, it was not enough.

With his individual title, he joins an elite list of past champions including Tiger Woods, Bobby Clampett, Ricky Barnes and Michael Putnam. Keiley earned a trip to the Junior America’s Cup next year, but already has plans to defend his title. No medalist has ever repeated as individual champion.

The Hogan Cup 36-hole team matches pit the best junior golfers from the Western United States and Canada against each other in a team format with the three lowest scores each day determining the team total. Medals are awarded to the top three teams as well as the top three individuals in the field.

In the 41 year history of the event, Northern California has won 13 times and Southern California has won 11 times including 4 of the last five years. Hawaii has never won the event, and the best finish ever for BC prior to this year was a tie for 6th.

Being selected to compete in Hogan Cup matches is an honor that has been bestowed to few individuals, and the excellence of past participants is indicative of the quality of the small, select field. Hogan Cup alumni also include PGA Tour players such as Fred Couples, Scott Simpson, Robert Gamez, Kirk Triplett, and Peter Jacobsen.

The event began in 1969 in commemoration of the vast achievements and contributions to the sport by Eddie Hogan, their long-time head golf professional who served the club from 1939 until his tragic drowning death in 1968. Hogan, an Oregon Amateur champion and PNGA Amateur Champion, was credited for transforming the role of the golf professional, developing what is now considered the standard for the green grass pro shop. Hogan was also dedicated in helping the Oregon Golf Association develop its widely-recognized junior golf program.

McKay and Tennant Top Womens Stroke Play

TENNANT CLAIMS THIRD STROKE PLAY TITLE; MCKAY PREVAILS IN PLAYOFF FOR SENIOR TITLE AT OREGON WOMEN’S STROKE PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP

FLORENCE, ORE. (Thursday, August 13, 2009) - With her son, R.J. on the bag, Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore. promised that with a victory came a wild dune buggy ride on the dunes of the Oregon Coast for the two of them. Little did she know just a few hours later she would be living up to her promise as she overcame a five-stroke deficit to become the 2009 Women’s Stroke Play Champion in the Open Division.

Under beautiful sunny skies and a slight ocean breeze, scores dropped and the competition heated up leading to a third Women’s Stroke Play title for Tennant and a playoff in the Senior Division between Loree McKay of Portland, Ore., and Nancy Woodke of Eugene, Ore. After making three birdies in her first 11 holes, Tennant made four bogies on her back nine, including the par five, 18th hole to shoot a 7-over par, 79-72-151 to win by two strokes over Brie Stone of Veneta, Ore.

Tennant has perennially been one of the top amateur women in the region despite mostly playing only part time while devoting her attention to raising her five children. She was the 2007 Women’s Stroke Play Champion at Gearhart Golf Links as well as the runner-up at the 2007 Oregon Amateur.

In the Senior Division, Loree McKay of Portland, Ore. overcame a five shot deficit firing a 10-over par, 79-75—154 to find herself in a playoff with Eugene’s Nancy Woodke. McKay who has lost her last two playoff attempts, fought hard to come out with the Senior Division Title.

In addition to vying for the overall title, participants also competed in a net contest where each player’s course handicap was used to compute their score. In the Open Division, Lauren Fischer of Portland, Ore. took Net honors while Cynthia Anderson of Eugene, Ore. won the Net title.

Eneroth Wins Safeway Classic Amateur Open

Aurora, Ore. (August 13, 2009) - Amy Eneroth, a fifth year senior at Washington State University who has completed her collegiate eligibility, birdied the first playoff hole to take the title and with it is eligible to play in the Safeway Classic Aug. 28-30 at Pumpkin Ridge - Ghost Creek.

She defeated Ayaka Kaneko of Hawaii by knocking her third shot to two feet on the par-5 18th hole at Langdon Farms Golf Club, after both players completed their rounds at 1-under 71. With the playoff loss, Kaneko earned a second opportunity to qualify for the Safeway Classic with an invitation to the Monday. August 24th Qualifier. The Monday Qualifier is held for LPGA professionals who are not otherwise eligible for the Safeway Classic, based on their current Tour rankings.

Sydnee Michaels a UCLA senior next season, finished third in qualifying with a 74 and will also have a spot in the Monday qualifier. Michaels won the Amateur Open last year and in 2007 finished second, and subsequently missed earning a spot in the tournament proper by one stroke.

This is the sixth year the Safeway Classic Amateur Open has been held. With her win, Eneroth now has earned the opportunity to play with the best on the LPGA Tour in the 54-hole event which features a purse of $1.7 million for professionals.

“What a great day of golf by all the participants,” said Tom Maletis, President of Tournament Golf Foundation, the Safeway Classic owners and operators. “This event provides amateurs a great opportunity to win a chance to compete with LPGA players and we are thrilled to have Amy be a part of this year’s Safeway Classic.”

This year marks the 38th year for the LPGA event in Portland. The tournament has raised over $13 million for local children’s charities in Oregon through the Safeway Foundation since 1972, and gave $1 million last year from tournament proceeds.

For more information on the Safeway Classic and Tournament Golf Foundation, visit their website at www.safewayclassic.com

T1    Eneroth, Amy        71
T1    Kaneko, Ayaka        71
3    Michaels, Sydnee    74
T4    Karle, Taylore        75
T4    Tallman, Brittany    75
T6    Hildahl, Kate        76
T6    Lee, Erynne        76
T6    Little, Kendra        76
T9    Aho, Lindsay        77
T9    Pickerell, Ashlee    77
T11    Coleman, Courtney    78
T11    Sze, Angel        78
T11    Telles, Seshia-Lei    78
T14    Archer, Lauren        81
T14    Elstrott, Sophie    81
T14    Stoll, Gigi        81
17    Usher, Annie        82
18    Sills, Avery        83

Safeway Classic Caddie Orientation

Individuals interesting in finding out more about caddying during the Safeway Classic LPGA Tournament are asked to attend a meeting on Sunday August 23rd at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held in the caddie tent, near the driving range at Ghost Creek at Pumpkin Ridge, site of the event. Pumpkin Ridge is located in North Plains, west of Portland.

Prospective caddies need to be available each day of tournament week, Aug. 24-30. Candidates who have experience will be chosen first. Attention to detail and a clean-cut appearance are of utmost importance.

For more information contact the Tournament Golf Foundation/Safeway Classic office at 503-626-2711.

O’Donnell and Harrington Advance to the U.S. Senior Amateur

Portland, Ore. Monday, August 10) – As the local representative of the United States Golf Association, the Oregon Golf Association conducted sectional qualifying for the U.S. Senior Amateur at Riverside Golf & Country Club. This year’s event will be take place Sept. 12-17 at Beverly CC in Chicago, IL.

Putting another top finish under his belt, Patrick O’Donnell led the contingent of hopefuls on the 6,647-yard par 72 layout with a 2-under par 36-34—70 to take medalist honors. Also joinging him at the national championship will be Bob Harrington of Portland, Ore. Earning alternate status are Steve Smith of Portland, Ore. and Bill Hood of Beaverton, Ore.

The inaugural USGA Senior Amateur was held in 1955 at Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, Tenn. The event, for those who are 55 or older on or before the day the championship begins, is open to those with a USGA Handicap Index of 7.4 or lower. It is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

ODonnell and Peterson Claim Titles

PHOTO GALLERY

Creswell, Ore. (Sunday, August 9, 2009) - The final round of the 54-hole Oregon Men’s Stroke Play Championship at Emerald Valley Golf Club began with Doug Banks, 52, of Portland, Ore. trying to maintain his slim 1-stroke lead over two-time defending champion and the reigning Oregon Senior Amateur Champion Patrick O’Donnell, 55, of Clackamas, Ore., and George Walker, 53 the 2007 Oregon Senior Amateur Champion.

It was not to be Banks’ day in the limelight as he faltered down the stretch with a couple unfortunate breaks allowing the typically Infallible O’Donnell the breaks he needed to snatch his third consecutive Stroke Play title.

“He [Banks] played really well,” said O’DOnnell. “It was just two bad breaks in a row. He fried it on 14, and then got a little ahead of himself trying to wedge it close on 15 sending it into the bunker again. That’s where I stuffed it to 3-feet and made birdie.”

O’Donnell has been one of the top senior golfers in the region for the last several years. This past week, he was the runner-up to former PGA Tour professional Jeff Coston at the Oregon Open Invitational held at Wildhorse Resort, finishing at 16-under par after shooting

68-67-65—200, just 2-strokes behind Coston, but 6-strokes ahead of the next closest competitor. The Invitational features the best professional and amateur senior golfers in the Pacific Northwest.

“I like 54-hole events,” said O’Donnell. “I had 7-birdies in my final round at the Invitational, but only matched that in my three rounds here. It’s a tough course.” Tomorrow, O’Donnell will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Senior Amateur at Riverside.

While the Seniors were finishing up, the leaders in the Open Division were beginning their battle. At no time did anyone threaten to take the lead away from 36-hole leaders Andrew Vijarro of Bend, Ore., the defending champion, and Paul Peterson of Salem, Ore. In fact, it was mostly a battle just between these two players.

Vijarro played stead all day, posting an even-par 72 with just one bogey and birdie while Peterson was a little more erratic with three birdies and bogeys also enroute to an even par round. He wasn’t sinking the putts he did yesterday when he moved into position after scoring a competitive course record 65 on the championship course.

Vijarro had a one stroke advantage going into the final hole after an incredible par save on the par-3 17th hole when he had to hit out of the hazard.

Peterson, however, was not concerned as the par-5 18th hole, his favorite on the course, awaited. “The 18th hole sets up well for my draw, said the southpaw Peterson. “And the front right hole location today also setup well for my game.” Peterson nearly reached the 577-yard green in two and was able to score a birdie to force a playoff.

How much does he like the hole? Peterson not only birdied the 18th hole each of the three rounds of the championship, but he also birdied it two years ago in this Championship to force a playoff—one that he lost after four holes to Brooks Newsom of Portland.

“I didn’t want that feeling again,” said Peterson reflecting on his walk back to the clubhouse after that playoff loss. “I’ve come a long way since then. I really learned a lot this last season at Oregon State. Peterson, who will be a senior this fall, led the OSU team with a 72.33 scoring average.

In the playoff, Peterson hit his shots to nearly identical locations ultimately leaving another birdie opportunity while Vijarro got into trouble. “I knew the putt,” noted Peterson after he made birdie yet again.

Vijarro came close to repeat as champion and join the few who have won both the Oregon Amateur and Stroke Play titles in the same season.“I didn’t have any rounds over par this week, so I don’t feel like I lost it,” said Vijarro. “He won it. It was incredible that Paul was able move up 7-strokes yesterday to make it a match. He played great and birdied the last hole to force a playoff and birdied it again to win.”

One of the other highlights of the day came in the form of a Hole-in-One made with a 7-iron by Matt Jacobsen on the par-3 167-yard 2nd Hole.

The Men’s Stroke Play showcases the best male players in Oregon and SW Washington with the minimum qualification for entrants is a handicap index of 5.0 or less for male amateur golfers 13 years of age and older, and those 50 years of age and older may play in a Senior Divison and must have a handicap index of 10.0 or less.

Peterson Goes Low To Share Lead

Creswell, Ore. (Saturday, August 8, 2009) - With the course drying out and greens not as receptive as they were in the first round, scores at the 57th Oregon Men’s Stroke Play Championship were noticable higher at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Ore. The average score in the Senior field increased by nearly 2-strokes and by almost one stroke in the Open Division. Only 9 players remained at even par or better in the field. At the end of today’s play, the field was cut to the top 58 players plus ties in the Open Division and the top 18 players plus ties in the Senior field.

Although it was moving day, Oregon State’s Paul Peterson player was the only play to climb up the leaderboard to gain control or move into a position to take the title. Peterson posted one of the lowest competitive rounds ever at Emerald Valley, scoring a 7-under par 32-33-65 to share the lead with first round leader Andrew Vijarro of Bend, Ore. It could have been lower if not for a bogey on the par-4 16th hole. Peterson was the runner-up in 2007, losing in a playoff to Brooks Newsom of Portland, Ore.

Vijarro, who was bogey free for the first 25 holes of the tournament, was not able to maintain sole possession of the lead after taking a bogey on the 8th and 17th holes left him at even par for the day.

Within striking distance and just 2-strokes off the pace is Jesse Schutte of Florence, Ore. and Tim O’Neal of Camas, Wash. Close behind is a trio of players at 1-under par including Vijarros’ Oregon Duck teammate Isaiah Telles of Tualatin, Ore., Nick Sherwood of Albany, Ore. and Andrew Fitch of Redmond, Ore.

In the Senior Division, Doug Banks of Portland, Ore. finished the day at 1-over par 70-75—145 to edge out his first round co-leaders George Walker of Portland, Ore. and defending champion Patrick O’Donnell by 1-stroke going into tomorrow’s final round.

The Men’s Stroke Play showcases the best male players in Oregon and SW Washington with the minimum qualification for entrants is a handicap index of 5.0 or less for male amateur golfers 13 years of age and older, and those 50 years of age and older may play in a Senior Divison and must have a handicap index of 10.0 or less.

OPEN DIVISION
Emerald Valley Golf Club
7,073-yards, par 72

T1   Andrew Vijarro     Bend, OR           68-72—140 -4
T1   Paul Peterson       Corvallis, OR      75-65—140 -4
T3   Jesse Schutte       Florence, OR       72-70—142 -2
T3   Tim O’Neal          Camas, WA          71-71—142 -2
T5   Isaiah Telles       Tualatin, OR       71-72—143 -1
T5   Nick Sherwood       Albany, OR         73-70—143 -1
T5   Andrew Fitch        Redmond, OR        73-70—143 -1
T8   Chris Polski        Eugene, OR          70-74—144 E
T8   Eric Grimberg       Portland, OR       74-70—144 E
T10 Casey King         Blue River, OR     75-70—145 +1
T10 Tyler Simpson       Happy Valley, OR   69-76—145 +1
12   Mike Barry          Corvallis, OR      71-75—146 +2
T13 Nick Chianello     Gresham, OR        75-72—147 +3
T13 Kevin Beavers       Portland, OR       74-73—147 +3
T15 Ian Dahl            Longview, WA       72-77—149 +5
T15 Jack Dukeminier     Eugene, OR         74-75—149 +5
T15 Armen Kirakossian   Tualatin, OR       75-74—149 +5
T15 Travis Johnsen      Wilsonville, OR    69-80—149 +5
T15 Sean Free          Sublimity, OR      74-75—149 +5
T15 Robbie Ziegler      Canby, OR          75-74—149 +5
T21 Jim Pliska          Gresham, OR        72-78—150 +6
T21 Brandon Taylor      Corvallis, OR      76-74—150 +6
T21 Bill Winter         Portland, OR       72-78—150 +6
T21 Jeff Petroff        Tualatin, OR       71-79—150 +6
T21 Jake Wagner         Portland, OR       70-80—150 +6
T21 Gerrit Chambers     Brush Prairie, WA 79-71—150 +6
T21 Bobby Kent          Los Gatos, CA      73-77—150 +6
T21 Sean Foushee        West Linn, OR      74-76—150 +6
T21 Chris Satterwhite   Portland, OR       74-76—150 +6
T30 Matt Jacobsen       Portland, OR       72-79—151 +7
T30 Tyler Parker        Portland, OR       77-74—151 +7
T30 Tim Tucker          Coos Bay, OR       76-75—151 +7
T33 Joey Hord           Portland, OR       75-77—152 +8
T33 Colin Inglis        Eugene, OR         73-79—152 +8
T35 Joel Stock          Toledo, OR         81-72—153 +9
T35 Alex Moore          Richland, WA       77-76—153 +9
T35 Zach Foushee       West Linn, OR      74-79—153 +9
T35 Tyler Morse         Eugene, OR         77-76—153 +9
T35 Trevor Harding     Portland, OR       76-77—153 +9
T35 Chris Holway        Longview, WA       74-79—153 +9
T35 Scott M Larsen      Cottage Grove, OR 79-74—153 +9
T42 Kevin Kirakossian   Tualatin, OR       81-73—154 +10
T42 Cory Schmidt        Bend, OR           74-80—154 +10
T42 Arlo Mallery        Oregon             75-79—154 +10
T42 Thomas Hanacek      Portland           78-76—154 +10
T42 Mathew Rademacher   Gladstone, OR      76-78—154 +10
T42 Sulman Raza        Eugene, OR         78-76—154 +10
T42 Chad Sawyer         West Linn, OR      74-80—154 +10
T42 Ted Whitney         Eugene, Oregon     74-80—154 +10
T50 Alex Fitch          Redmond, OR        81-74—155 +11
T50 Alex Gruber         Eugene, OR         77-78—155 +11
T50 Stephen Lee         Everett, WA        79-76—155 +11
T50 Nic Polski          Eugene, OR         80-75—155 +11
T50 Brent Bianchina    Tualatin, OR       76-79—155 +11
T50 Daniel Snoey        Camas, WA          75-80—155 +11
T50 Ty Chambers         Brush Prairie, WA 78-77—155 +11
T50 Tyler Falk          Springfield, OR    80-75—155 +11
T58 Ross Jesswein       Medford, OR        76-80—156 +12
T58 Damian Telles       The Dalles, OR     79-77—156 +12
T58 Levi Bedortha       Springfield, OR    76-80—156 +12
T58 Hans Reimers        Albany, OR         79-77—156 +12
T58 Daniel Engle        Talent, OR         73-83—156 +12
T58 Brad Mombert        Bend, OR           80-76—156 +12
T58 Robbie Pitts        Eugene, OR         76-80—156 +12
T58 Jack Pennington    Eugene, OR         75-81—156 +12

MISSED CUT

T66 Thomas Arand        McMinnville, OR    79-78—157 +13
T66 Travis Milleman    McMinnville, OR    79-78—157 +13
T66 Jason Wood          Portland, OR       75-82—157 +13
T66 Mike Littman        Portland, OR       79-78—157 +13
T66 Scott Pierce        Hillsboro, OR      81-76—157 +13
T66 Sean Collopy        Lake Oswego, Ore. 74-83—157 +13
T66 Arthur Kim         Tigard, OR         76-81—157 +13
T73 Colin Tucker        Lake Oswego, OR    78-80—158 +14
T73 Tyler Nelson       Wilsonville, OR    78-80—158 +14
T73 Marc Goodell       Vancouver, WA      82-76—158 +14
T73 Landon Banks        Portland, OR       77-81—158 +14
T77 Matt Montpas        Lake Oswego, OR    80-79—159 +15
T77 Samuel Kloenne      West Linn, OR      80-79—159 +15
T77 Jt Compher          Medford, OR        79-80—159 +15
T80 Baylor Falk        Albany, OR         81-79—160 +16
T80 Alex Harding        Portland, OR       79-81—160 +16
T80 Joel Salmond       Bend, OR           84-76—160 +16
T83 Jesse Heinly        Bend, OR           81-80—161 +17
T83 Alex Spicer         Gresham, OR        75-86—161 +17
T85 Kevin Murphy       Rouge River, OR    79-83—162 +18
T85 Alex Street         Medford, OR        81-81—162 +18
T85 Justin Smithhisler Roseburg, OR       81-81—162 +18
T85 Michael Noreen      Hillsboro, OR      79-83—162 +18
T89 Austin Willhite     Vida, OR           80-83—163 +19
T89 Sam Ayotte          Corvallis, OR      77-86—163 +19
T91 Adam Strength       Tualatin, OR       83-81—164 +20
T91 Wade Evanson       Hillsboro, OR      83-81—164 +20
T91 Nathan Drake        Beaverton, OR      82-82—164 +20
T91 Scott Karlson       Wilsonville, OR    83-81—164 +20
T95 John Paul Groom    Portland, OR       80-85—165 +21
T95 Tony Kordosky      Milwaukie, OR      82-83—165 +21
T97 Matt Clemo          Tigard, OR         84-82—166 +22
T97 Josh Rodriguez      Creswell, OR       87-79—166 +22
T97 Chris Dukeminier    Portland, OR       82-84—166 +22
T97 Jordan Schiemer    Bend, OR           78-88—166 +22
T101 Andrew Love         Portland, OR       81-86—167 +23
T101 Clayton Madey       West Linn, OR      84-83—167 +23
T101 Christian Boudreau Beaverton, OR      83-84—167 +23
T104 Joe Thompson        Beaverton, OR      80-89—169 +25
T104 Rick Dimick         Eagle Point , OR   85-84—169 +25
106 Mike Fritchman     Creswell, OR       85-85—170 +26
107 John Smart          Merlin, OR         79-93—172 +28
108 Dain Pape           Mt. Shasta, CA     90-84—174 +30
109 Maurisio Rayas      Portland, OR       92-83—175 +31
110 Kiger Plews         Vida, OR           88-88—176 +32
111 Calvin Green        Springfield, OR    88-89—177 +33

SENIOR DIVISION
6,344-yards, Par 72

1   Doug Banks        Portland, OR     70-75—145 +1
T2 Patrick O’Donnell Clackamas, OR    70-76—146 +2
T2 George Walker     Portland, OR     70-76—146 +2
T4 Byron Patton     Tigard, OR       72-76—148 +4
T4 Joe Jaukkuri      Roseburg, OR     72-76—148 +4
6   Lee Buffington    Roseburg, OR     75-74—149 +5
7   Michael Kloenne   West Linn, OR    77-74—151 +7
T8 Kim Schwencke     Bend, OR         77-75—152 +8
T8 David Lydell      Aloha, OR        76-76—152 +8
T8 Rick Auriemma     Eugene, OR       74-78—152 +8
T11 Tom Prevost       McMinnville, OR 75-79—154 +10
T11 Glen Clark        Medford, OR      77-77—154 +10
T13 Jack Schneider    Oregon City, OR 78-77—155 +11
T13 Scott Tuttle      Sunriver, OR     79-76—155 +11
T15 Mark Bowler      Portland, OR     75-81—156 +12
T15 Randy Wolf        Sublimity, OR    78-78—156 +12
T15 Brian Little      Portland, OR     78-78—156 +12
T15 Ken Davidson      Clackamas, OR    77-79—156 +12
T15 Mike Klenz        Tualatin OR      75-81—156 +12
T15 Steve Erickson    Yoncalla, OR     77-79—156 +12

MISSED CUT

T21 Denny Taylor      Gladstone, OR    77-81—158 +14
T21 Kevin Klabunde    Medford, OR      76-82—158 +14
T21 Don Baer          Salem, Or        77-81—158 +14
T21 Greg Vislocky    Lake Oswego, OR 78-80—158 +14
T21 Kim Wenger        Eugene, OR       80-78—158 +14
26 Mark Reed         West Linn, OR    80-80—160 +16
T27 Paul Hundhammer   Lake Oswego, OR 84-77—161 +17
T27 Tom Stumpfig      Bend, OR         83-78—161 +17
T27 Tom Howell        Camas, WA        78-83—161 +17
T30 Gary Coots       Bandon, OR       80-83—163 +19
T30 Marty Morlan      Ashland, OR      84-79—163 +19
32 Mark Wilson       Oakland, OR      78-86—164 +20
33 Jesse Castillo   Creswell, OR     80-85—165 +21
34 Jon Carroll      Eugene, OR       82-84—166 +22
35 Ronald Reidlinger Mulino, OR       85-88—173 +29
36 Ronald Pochatko   Keno, OR         91-94—185 +41

Congratulations to the Winner of our Jeld-Wen Contest

The Votes are in!

We asked you to tell us about your favorite, most difficult or most memorable golf hole at a golf course located in Oregon or SW Washington and you did, then we asked you to vote for the best. Our winner received more than 80% of the votes cast.

Congratulations to Tom Mayberry (aka “G-Pa”) and his grandson Tristan who will have a unique once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk inside the ropes with the legends of the game as a Special Honorary Observer on the final day of The Jeld-Wen Tradition, Sunday, AUgust 23 at Crosswater in Sunriver.

In case you missed his entry, here it is again.

Entry 2 - Prineville

This experience involves a golf day with my son-in-law, Mike, and grandson, Tristan. On this pleasant day in March, we decided to give Tristan an opportunity to play his first 18 holes of golf. He had turned 7 two months earlier and had played nine holes on a couple of occasions but never 18 holes.

Tristan had shown much interest in the game and when he accompanied G-Pa on men’s day at Black Butte Ranch, he maintained much respect for the players rather then goofing around and becoming a distraction to other golfers.

While we were hopeful Tristan would stay focused on the game, we expected somewhere over the 18 holes, he would get bored and lose interest. I must say, Tristan pleasantly surprised us, and stayed involved in the game. He acknowledged good shots when made by either Dad (Mike) or G-Pa (Tom) and even injected his sense of humor throughout the day’s round.

A particularly memorable moment was on the 16th Hole, a dogleg right which can be shortened with a hit over the pond. I was on the tee and struck a good shot and managed to carry the water. I turned and exclaimed, “Tristan, how about that shot, G-Pa didn’t land in the water.” Tristan, without hesitation replied, “well, you’re right G-Pa, you finally got one over.”

Tristan played from the red tee’s and shot a phenomenal 98. He hit the ball exceptionally well and, while not pleased with an occasional errant shot, he didn’t mope or get angry. He just went on and hit it again.

At the end of the 18 holes, Tristan was a little tuckered out but the day will remain firmly in our minds as a great golf day and a memorable experience for us all.

Defending Champions Primed to Retain Titles

Creswell, Ore. (Friday, August 8, 2009) - The second “major” of amateur golf began today with ideal conditions for both the Open and Senior Divisions as they contend for the top crown in the 57th Oregon Men’s Stroke Play Championship. This 54-hole stroke play competition has been held for the past five years at Emerald Valley Golf Club in Creswell, Ore.

“The Men’s Stroke Play showcases the best male players in Oregon and SW Washington,” commented Brent Whittaker, OGA Director of Tournament Operations. The minimum qualification for entrants is a handicap index of 5.0 or less for male amateur golfers 13 years of age and older, those 50 years of age and older may play in a Senior Divison and must have a handicap index of 10.0 or less. The field will be cut to the low half of the field and ties in each division after tomorrow’s second round of play.

Despite a motto which boasts of the championship nature of the course stating “protecting par since 1964,” the Open Division field saw 14 players shoot even par or better.   Leading the pack is defending champion Andrew Vijarro of Bend, Ore. who scored the best round of the day posting a 4-under par 33-35—68. Earlier this season, Vijarro also claimed the Oregon Amateur title and last week fared well against some of the world’s best amateurs finishing in a tie for 25th at the Pacific Coast Amateur. Vijarro will be a sophomore on the University of Oregon golf team this fall.

Nipping at his heels and just 1-stroke off the pace is Tyler Simpson of Happy Valley, Ore., a senior on the Oregon State team and Travis Johnsen of Wilsonville, Ore. an incoming freshman on the Gonzaga Bulldogs team.

In the Senior Division, the reigning Senior Amateur champion and two-time defending stroke play champion Patrick O’Donnell of Clackamas, Ore. shot a 2-under par 34-36—70 good enough for a share of the lead along with 2007 Senior Amateur Champion George Walker and Doug Banks of Portland, Ore. A total of 5 players scored even par or better.

OPEN DIVISION
Emerald Valley Golf Club
7,073-yards, par 72

1    Andrew Vijarro     Bend, OR           33-35—68 -4
T2   Tyler Simpson       Happy Valley, OR   35-34—69 -3
T2   Travis Johnsen      Wilsonville, OR    34-35—69 -3
T4   Chris Polski        Eugene             35-35—70 -2
T4   Jake Wagner         Portland, OR       35-35—70 -2
T6   Isaiah Telles       Tualatin, OR       33-38—71 -1
T6   Tim O’Neal          Camas, WA          35-36—71 -1
T6   Jeff Petroff        Tualatin, OR       37-34—71 -1
T6   Mike Barry          Corvallis, OR      36-35—71 -1
T10 Ian Dahl            Longview, WA       35-37—72 E
T10 Jesse Schutte       Florence, OR       33-39—72 E
T10 Matt Jacobsen       Portland, OR       36-36—72 E
T10 Bill Winter         Portland, OR       34-38—72 E
T10 Jim Pliska          Gresham, OR        36-36—72 E
T15 Nick Sherwood       Albany, OR         36-37—73 +1
T15 Colin Inglis        Eugene, OR         36-37—73 +1
T15 Bobby Kent          Los Gatos, CA      34-39—73 +1
T15 Daniel Engle        Talent, OR         35-38—73 +1
T15 Andrew Fitch        Redmond, OR        34-39—73 +1
T20 Chad Sawyer         West Linn, OR      36-38—74 +2
T20 Sean Collopy        Lake Oswego, Ore. 39-35—74 +2
T20 Jack Dukeminier     Eugene, OR         34-40—74 +2
T20 Eric Grimberg       Portland, OR       36-38—74 +2
T20 Kevin Beavers       Portland, OR       35-39—74 +2
T20 Ted Whitney         Eugene, Oregon     35-39—74 +2
T20 Zach Foushee       West Linn, OR      38-36—74 +2
T20 Sean Free          Sublimity, OR      38-36—74 +2
T20 Chris Satterwhite   Portland, OR       35-39—74 +2
T20 Sean Foushee        West Linn, OR      35-39—74 +2
T20 Chris Holway        Longview, WA       37-37—74 +2
T20 Cory Schmidt        Bend, OR           38-36—74 +2
T32 Nick Chianello     Gresham, OR        37-38—75 +3
T32 Casey King         Blue River, OR     38-37—75 +3
T32 Daniel Snoey        Camas, WA          38-37—75 +3
T32 Armen Kirakossian   Tualatin, OR       38-37—75 +3
T32 Paul Peterson       Corvallis, OR      35-40—75 +3
T32 Alex Spicer         Gresham, OR        37-38—75 +3
T32 Jack Pennington    Eugene, OR         38-37—75 +3
T32 Robbie Ziegler      Canby, OR          38-37—75 +3
T32 Joey Hord           Portland, OR       39-36—75 +3
T32 Arlo Mallery        Oregon             37-38—75 +3
T32 Jason Wood          Portland, OR       38-37—75 +3
T43 Brandon Taylor      Corvallis, OR      40-36—76 +4
T43 Levi Bedortha       Springfield, OR    38-38—76 +4
T43 Arthur Kim         Tigard, OR         39-37—76 +4
T43 Robbie Pitts        Eugene, OR         38-38—76 +4
T43 Tim Tucker          Coos Bay, OR       37-39—76 +4
T43 Trevor Harding     Portland, OR       40-36—76 +4
T43 Ross Jesswein       Medford, OR        37-39—76 +4
T43 Mathew Rademacher   Gladstone, OR      38-38—76 +4
T43 Brent Bianchina    Tualatin, OR       38-38—76 +4
T52 Alex Moore          Richland, WA       34-43—77 +5
T52 Sam Ayotte          Corvallis, OR      37-40—77 +5
T52 Tyler Parker        Portland, OR       37-40—77 +5
T52 Tyler Morse         Eugene, OR         36-41—77 +5
T52 Landon Banks        Portland, OR       40-37—77 +5
T52 Alex Gruber         Eugene, OR         39-38—77 +5
T58 Sulman Raza        Eugene, OR         37-41—78 +6
T58 Colin Tucker        Lake Oswego, OR    39-39—78 +6
T58 Ty Chambers         Brush Prairie, WA 39-39—78 +6
T58 Jordan Schiemer    Bend, OR           39-39—78 +6
T58 Tyler Nelson       Wilsonville, OR    37-41—78 +6
T58 Thomas Hanacek      Portland           38-40—78 +6
T64 Damian Telles       The Dalles, OR     39-40—79 +7
T64 Gerrit Chambers     Brush Prairie, WA 41-38—79 +7
T64 Hans Reimers        Albany, OR         38-41—79 +7
T64 Jt Compher          Medford, OR        38-41—79 +7
T64 Alex Harding        Portland, OR       36-43—79 +7
T64 Michael Noreen      Hillsboro, OR      39-40—79 +7
T64 Scott M Larsen      Cottage Grove, OR 38-41—79 +7
T64 Kevin Murphy       Rouge River, OR    39-40—79 +7
T64 Thomas Arand        McMinnville, OR    37-42—79 +7
T64 Stephen Lee         Everett, WA        42-37—79 +7
T64 Travis Milleman    McMinnville, OR    38-41—79 +7
T64 Mike Littman        Portland, OR       37-42—79 +7
T64 John Smart          Merlin, OR         41-38—79 +7
T77 Brooks Newsom       Portland, OR       39-41—80 +8
T77 Tyler Falk          Springfield, OR    38-42—80 +8
T77 Samuel Kloenne      West Linn, OR      40-40—80 +8
T77 Brad Mombert        Bend, OR           39-41—80 +8
T77 Matt Montpas        Lake Oswego, OR    42-38—80 +8
T77 John Paul Groom    Portland, OR       41-39—80 +8
T77 Nic Polski          Eugene, OR         43-37—80 +8
T77 Austin Willhite     Vida, OR           40-40—80 +8
T77 Joe Thompson        Beaverton, OR      36-44—80 +8
T86 Baylor Falk        Albany, OR         40-41—81 +9
T86 Justin Smithhisler Roseburg, OR       40-41—81 +9
T86 Jesse Heinly        Bend, OR           40-41—81 +9
T86 Alex Fitch          Redmond, OR        38-43—81 +9
T86 Kevin Kirakossian   Tualatin, OR       39-42—81 +9
T86 Andrew Love         Portland, OR       40-41—81 +9
T86 Joel Stock          Toledo, OR         40-41—81 +9
T86 Alex Street         Medford, OR        40-41—81 +9
T86 Scott Pierce        Hillsboro, OR      41-40—81 +9
T95 Chris Dukeminier    Portland, OR       43-39—82 +10
T95 Marc Goodell       Vancouver, WA      41-41—82 +10
T95 Tony Kordosky      Milwaukie, OR      41-41—82 +10
T95 Nathan Drake        Beaverton, OR      41-41—82 +10
T99 Scott Karlson       Wilsonville, OR    41-42—83 +11
T99 Christian Boudreau Beaverton, OR      40-43—83 +11
T99 Adam Strength       Tualatin, OR       35-48—83 +11
T99 Wade Evanson       Hillsboro, OR      44-39—83 +11
T103 Joel Salmond       Bend, OR           40-44—84 +12
T103 Matt Clemo          Tigard, OR         41-43—84 +12
T103 Clayton Madey       West Linn, OR      43-41—84 +12
T106 Rick Dimick         Eagle Point , OR   42-43—85 +13
T106 Marcus Potter       Tualatin, OR       40-45—85 +13
T106 Mike Fritchman     Creswell, OR       41-44—85 +13
109 Josh Rodriguez      Creswell, OR       44-43—87 +15
T110 Scott Overy         Jacksonville, OR   44-44—88 +16
T110 Kiger Plews         Vida, OR           43-45—88 +16
T110 Calvin Green        Springfield, OR    44-44—88 +16
113 Dain Pape           Mt. Shasta, CA     47-43—90 +18
114 Maurisio Rayas      Portland, OR       45-47—92 +20

SENIOR DIVISION
6,344-yards, Par 72

T1 Patrick O’Donnell Clackamas, OR    34-36—70 -2
T1 George Walker     Portland, OR     31-39—70 -2
T1 Doug Banks        Portland, OR     37-33—70 -2
T4 Byron Patton     Tigard, OR       35-37—72 E
T4 Joe Jaukkuri      Roseburg, OR     999-36—36 E
6   Tom Howell        Camas, WA        999-37—37 +1
7   Rick Auriemma     Eugene, OR       35-39—74 +2
T8 Tom Prevost       McMinnville, OR 37-38—75 +3
T8 Mark Bowler      Portland, OR     35-40—75 +3
T8 Lee Buffington    Roseburg, OR     37-38—75 +3
T8 Mike Klenz        Tualatin OR      37-38—75 +3
T8 Steve Erickson    Yoncalla, OR     999-39—39 +3
T13 David Lydell      Aloha, OR        39-37—76 +4
T13 Kevin Klabunde    Medford, OR      38-38—76 +4
T13 Jon Carroll      Eugene, OR       999-40—40 +4
T16 Kim Schwencke     Bend, OR         40-37—77 +5
T16 Denny Taylor      Gladstone, OR    38-39—77 +5
T16 Michael Kloenne   West Linn, OR    40-37—77 +5
T16 Glen Clark        Medford, OR      37-40—77 +5
T16 Ken Davidson      Clackamas, OR    37-40—77 +5
T16 Don Baer          Salem, Or        39-38—77 +5
T22 Jack Schneider    Oregon City, OR 40-38—78 +6
T22 Randy Wolf        Sublimity, OR    37-41—78 +6
T22 Brian Little      Portland, OR     36-42—78 +6
T22 Mark Wilson       Oakland, OR      35-43—78 +6
T22 Greg Vislocky    Lake Oswego, OR 38-40—78 +6
T27 Scott Tuttle      Sunriver, OR     42-37—79 +7
T27 Tom Stumpfig      Bend, OR         999-43—43 +7
T29 Mark Reed         West Linn, OR    37-43—80 +8
T29 Gary Coots       Bandon, OR       41-39—80 +8
T29 Kim Wenger        Eugene, OR       38-42—80 +8
T29 Jesse Castillo   Creswell, OR     41-39—80 +8
33 Ronald Pochatko   Keno, OR         999-45—45 +9
T34 Paul Hundhammer   Lake Oswego, OR 39-45—84 +12
T34 Marty Morlan      Ashland, OR      40-44—84 +12
36 Ronald Reidlinger Mulino, OR       41-44—85 +13

Monaco Goes Low to Win Portland City Junior Title

Portland, Ore. (August 4, 2009)—The round of the day and the tournament was posted by Bobby Monaco of Eugene, Ore. as he lapped the field by 6-strokes to win the Portland City Bob Allard Memorial Junior Championship on the 6,584-yard par-72 Rose City Golf Course in Portland, Ore. Monaco shot an incredible 7-under par 65, one of the lowest single round scores in tournament history. He finished the championship at 5-under par 74-65—139 with the next closest competitor being Harry Chang of Portland, Ore. who scored 71-74—145 and finished at 1-over par.

In the Boys Division, Nigel Lett of Tigard, Ore. overcame a 2-shot deficit shooting a 1-under par 71 to edge Zach Foushee of West Linn, Ore. Lett, playing in his signature Plus-4’s, was 3-strokes behind Foushee at the turn, but birdied four of his closing 9-holes to make it close. It wasn’t until Foushee bogeyed his final hole that Lett earned the title.

Upon conclusion of the Boys and Junior contests, those who earned spots on the prestigious Hogan Cup teams were announced. Players are selected for one of two Oregon teams based on Team Performance points earned during the season. Monaco topped the points leaderboard and recently represented Oregon at the Boys Junior Americas Cup Team matches.

The Hogan Cup 36-hole team matches, a predeccessor to the America’s Cup, pita the best junior golfers from the Western United States and Canada against each other in a team format with the three lowest scores each day determining the team total. Last year, the two Oregon teams topped the leaderboard with Oregon I taking top honors by 2-strokes over the Oregon II team. At the event last year, Monaco just missed taking medalist honors by 1-stroke.

Being selected to compete in Hogan Cup matches is an honor that has been bestowed to few individuals, and the excellence of past participants is indicative of the quality of the small, select field. Hogan Cup alumni include PGA Tour players such as Fred Couples, Scott Simpson, Robert Gamez, Kirk Triplett, Peter Jacobsen and Tiger Woods, the individual champion in 1990.

Joining Monaco on the Oregon I team will be Tye Gabriel of Portland, Ore., Sulman Raza of Eugene, Ore., and Daniel Snoey of Camas, Wash. Representing the Oregon II team will be Samuel Mendez of Portland, Ore., Will Guitteau of Portland, Ore., Zachary Foushee of West Linn, Ore. and Jesse Heinly of Bend, Ore.

The event began in 1969 in commemoration of the vast achievements and contributions to the sport by Eddie Hogan, their long-time head golf professional who served the club from 1939 until his tragic drowning death in 1968. Hogan, an Oregon Amateur champion and PNGA Amateur Champion, was credited for transforming the role of the golf professional, developing what is now considered the standard for the green grass pro shop. Hogan was also dedicated in helping the Oregon Golf Association develop its widely-recognized junior golf program.

The Girls Division also saw excitement as 15-year Tess Jennings of Portland forced a playoff against Oregon Junior Amateur and OSAA 6A High School Girls Champion Sharon SHin of West Linn, Ore. Both players ended regulation at 2-over par 148, but Jennings, a National Junior Olympic Taekwondo Champion and 5-time Oregon State Taekwondo Champion was not able to land the knockout punch despite numerous openings. On the second playoff hole, Jennings reached the green in regulation but was unable to capitalize after 3-putting. On the 3rd playoff hole, a par-5, the longer hitting Jennings was on the back fringe in two, but again 3-putted. And on the final playoff hole, it was another 3-putt that allowed Shin to claim her final championship as an Oregon Junior Golfer.

In the Intermediate Girls Division, Oregon Junior Amateur champion Gigi Stoll of Portland, Ore. again dominated her group winning with a 3-over par 149 to claim her title by 6-strokes over Monica Vaughn of Reedsport, Ore. After being the only Junior golfer in any division to post an under par score in the first round of the championship, Stoll struggled on her opening nine today with four bogeys but she closed the round at even par.

The Intermediate Boys Division was dominated by Dylan Wu of Medford, Ore. as he shot a consistent even par 72-72-144 to take the title by 9-strokes over Diego de la Torre of Brush Prairie, Wash.

First round Pee Wee Boys leader Jeremy Wu of Medford, Ore was forced into a playoff against where he narrowly edged Spencer Tibbitts of Vancouver, Wash. On the first extra hole, Tibbitts made a 4-foot putt on the first hole to extend the playoff. On the second playoff hole, Wu hit into the trees giving the advantage to Tibbitts. While he was able to chip out and hit his approach to 7-feet, Tibbitts was on the green in regulation just 20-feet away. However, Tibbitts left his putt 2-feet short of the hole, leaving the door open to Wu which he took advantage of by sinking his par putt. Tibbitts unfortunately missed his par putt giving the Pee Wee title to Wu.

The highlight of the day in the division came when Drew Francois of Sherwood, Ore. aced the 165-yard, par 3 12th hole hitting his 3-wood. This was the second hole-in-one in the span of a week for Francois, who also achieved the remarkable feat last week at the Erling Jacobson Tour event at Charbonneau

Finally, in the Pee Wee Girls Division, Jennifer Krause of Eugene, Ore. came from behind to defeat regular rival Ellie Slama of Salem, Ore. by 2-strokes.

Two More Advance to US Amateur

Redmond, Ore. (Monday, August 3, 2009) - In the second qualifier staged in Oregon in the past week, 57 golfers teed it up at Juniper Golf Course in Redmond, Ore. with the hopes of being among the two players after 36-holes of play to advance to the The U.S. Amateur Championship that will be held later this month at Southern Hills CC in Tulsa, Okla.

With ideal weather and fast greens stimping at nearly 13-feet, Brady Johnson of Mill Bay, British Columbia took medalist honors after posting a 7-under par 69-68—137. Brady, an incoming all-conference academic senior at BYU, led his Cougar golf team with a stroke average of 72.78, 12th overall in the Mountain West Conference and qualified for the NCAA Championships after finishing 5th at the NCAA West Regional. He improved his stroke average by nearly 2 strokes from his sophomore season, a year in which he advanced to the round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship and placed 7th in the 2008 Canadian Amateur.

A playoff to determine the final golfer to qualify from this site ensued in a mini-civil war between Oregon Ducks incoming senior Jack Dukeminier of Eugene, Ore. and Tyler Simpson of Happy Valley, Ore., an incoming senior on the Oregon State Beavers golf team. The playoff only lasted two holes in a classic example of “drive for show, putt for dough” as Dukeminier blasted his drive 340-yards only to be surpassed by a 360-yard bomb by Simpson. It ended quickly as Simpson’s short game failed him on the 388-yard hole as he bladed his approach over the green.

Dukeminier is consistently one of Oregon’s low scorers. In his freshman season, he led the Ducks with a 73.7 stroke average and had 6 top-20 finishes in 14 starts. In 2005, Dukeminier won the Oregon Junior Amateur title. As a high schooler, he led his Sheldon golf team to two OSAA State Championships (2005 and 2006) and was co-medalist in the 2006 season.

By virtue of his playoff loss, Simpson takes the first alternate position from this qualifying site and his OSU teammate Brandon Taylor took the second alternate spot after Andrew Vijarro of Bend, Ore. failed to show for his playoff.

As the local representative of the United States Golf Association, the Oregon Golf Association conducts two of the 99 Sectional Qualifying sites around the country where over 7,000 of the world’s best amateur golfers vie for the opportunity to compete for the national amateur title.

The first qualifier was held last week at Illahe Hills CC in Salem, Ore. where Mike Barry of Medford and Lucas Bogdan of Canada led the field with a 36-hole score of 1-under par, 143 to take medalist honors and local favorite Eric Fiskum finished one shot off the pace to complete the list of those that earned the trip to the U.S. Amateur.

The U.S. Amateur, the oldest USGA championship, was first played in 1895 at Newport Golf Club in Rhode Island. The event, which has no age restriction, is open to those with a Handicap Index of 2.4 or lower. The winner of the U.S. Amateur earns exemptions into both the Master’s and U.S. Open.

Peter Jacobsen to appear for second time for The First Tee of Portland

Prominent Portland PGA Tour legend will play major supporting role in first ever Western Regional The First Tee of Portland event.

Portland, Ore.— Heron Lakes Golf Course will once again be set as the site for the 10th Anniversary The First Tee of Portland fundraising golf tournament being held from August 13th through 15th, 2009.

Peter Jacobsen, a Portland native, University of Oregon All-American, and one of the most well regarded figures in professional golf will participate as a distinguished guest alongside some of the brightest young talent from 9 western regional The First Tee chapters. The Toyota The First Tee of Portland Classic presented by Ball Janik, LLP has had tremendous community support over the years. With a few new twists this year, The First Tee of Portland is counting on their devoted sponsors, community support, and awesome junior competitors in hopes of accomplishing this new format with other participating The First Tee chapters.

This is Toyota’s 6th year as the Title Sponsor and major contributor to the event, and the first for Ball Janik, LLP. A VIP Dinner and Sports Auction will kick off weekend festivities the evening of the 13th at the prestigious Multnomah Athletic Club (MAC). Both golf tournaments will be held at Heron Lakes Golf Course with the Junior-am will taking place on the 14th, and concluding with the Western Regional The First Tee Junior Invitational as the climax for the weekend. 9 Chapters of The First Tee will be represented from locations throughout the West Coast including San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Monterey to name a few.

Other major sponsors committed for the 2009 event include Opus Northwest, KPMG, Gevurtz Menashe, MHGM, Chubb Insurance, Stacey and Witbeck, and Providence Health & Services. A major contributor to The First Tee, NIKE will host a very special function for the kids from the Western Regional Chapters on the Campus in Beaverton during their stay in the Portland area. Money raised for this event will support the operations and growth of The First Tee of Portland located at Heron Lakes Golf Course.

About The First Tee of Portland: The First Tee® of Portland (http://www.pyga.org/) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in 1994 as the Portland Youth Golf Association (PYGA). Our mission: to impact the lives of young people by providing educational and mentoring programs that incorporate life skills, character development, family values, and personal growth through the game of golf. Since its inception, PYGA has introduced the game of golf and its values to over 15,000 participants in the Portland metropolitan area.

For more information contact: Quincy Heard, Executive Director, The First Tee of Portland/Portland Youth Golf Association, PHONE: 503.286.6510, FAX: 503.289.8390, Qheard@pga.com

Kim Wins Pacific Coast Amateur

Visit www.pacificcoastamateur.com for complete event information.

TUCSON, ARIZ., (July 31, 2009) - Chan Kim of Chandler, Ariz., a 19-year-old Arizona State sophomore, held off two United States Walker Cup hopefuls to win the 43rd Pacific Coast Amateur Championship by one shot at The Gallery Golf Club in Tucson.

Kim, the 2008 Arizona Amateur and 2007 Hawaii Amateur champion, fired a 4-under-par 68 today for a 72-hole total of 17-under par 271 at The Gallery GC’s South Course, site of the 2007 and 2008 World Golf Championship’s Accenture Match Play Championship.

He finished one shot ahead of Zack Sucher of Mobile, Ala., who had held at least a share of the lead in each of the first three rounds and had plenty of chances to win today only to fall short.

On a day when red (under-par) scores littered the leaderboard, Mark Anderson of Beaufort, S.C., another Walker Cup hopeful, and Richard Lee of Bellevue, Wash. each shot 4-under-par 68 to tie for third place at 14 under par. Anderson would have finished in third place alone had he not missed a two-foot par putt on the final hole.

Another Chandler resident, 18-year-old Andrew Yun, posted a 7-under-par 65 to finish in fifth place at 13 under par. He was one of two players to shoot 65 today (the other was Brett Kanda of La Canada), which tied the course record set Tuesday by Sucher and Eric Mina of Fremont, Calif. when they shared the first-round lead and matched by Daniel Miernicki, of Santee, Calif. on Wednesday before he had to withdraw with an injury.

Kim, who grew up on Oahu, and the 22-year-old Sucher, who just finished his eligibility at the University of Alabama - Birmingham, each posted three birdies on the front nine to separate themselves from the pack, but Kim took the lead for good with birdies on the 10th and 12th holes. Sucher never made another birdie in the round and he missed several makeable opportunities down the stretch, including birdie putts on the 17th and 18th holes that hung on the edge of the hole.

“I was shaking coming down the last few holes,” said the 6-foot, 4-inch Kim after his round. “I had spent all last week working on my irons and putting because I knew that would be crucial at The Gallery. So I was confident coming in and when I made four consecutive birdies to start the back nine yesterday, I really felt pumped and it carried over into today.”

The key hole in the round may have been the 480-yard 13th where Kim yanked his drive left into desert. “I was lucky I had a stance,” he admitted later. He hacked back into the fairway and then punched an 8-iron from 144 yards out to within 10 feet of the hole and sank the par putt. “That was clearly a turning point,” he said later.

Another critical shot came on the 447-yard 18th hole. Coming off a three-putt bogey 6 on the 17th hole, Kim drove into a fairway bunker but nailed a 9-iron shot from 145 yards out to within seven feet of the hole. After Sucher had his birdie trip end on the lip, Kim two-putted for par and the victory.

Sucher was upset after missing several putts down the stretch. “It was a very frustrating day,” he said afterwards. “I’m tired of lipouts.” Kim sympathized. “I can’t believe that all of his putts stayed out of the hole. “

In a year when Tucson’s Dr. Ed Updegraff, who won the inaugural Pacific Coast Amateur after the event was resurrected in 1967, was honored by having a new perpetual trophy named for him, Kim became the first Arizona golfer to win the event since Phoenix’s Billy Mayfair won back-to-back titles in 1987-88. Kim is also the first Hawaii native to win the championship.

The top finisher from Oregon was Andrew Vijarro of Bend, Ore. who finished in a tie for 25th place. His fellow Oregon Duck teammate, Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, British Columbia finished in a tie for 18th place.

The 44th Pacific Coast Amateur will be played July 27-30, 2010 at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club.

FINAL RESULTS: 43rd Pacific Coast Amateur Championship
The Gallery Golf Club (South Course); Tucson, Ariz. - 7,402 yard, par 72

271—Chan Kim, Chandler, Ariz., 67-69-67-68.

272—Zack Sucher, Mobile, Ala., 65-67-71-69.

274—Richard Lee, Bellevue, Wash., 70-67-69-68; Mark Anderson, Beaufort, S.C., 72-68-66-68.

275—Andrew Yun, Chandler, Ariz., 70-69-71-65.

276—Tim Madigan, Rio Rancho, N.M., 71-70-68-67.

277—Tarquin MacManus, Cairns, Australia, 68-72-70-67; Cameron Peck, Olympia, Wash., 72-70-66-69; Derek Berg, Kenmore, Wash., 70-72-68-67.

278—Eric Mina, Fremont, Calif., 65-68-72-73; Philip Francis, Scottsdale, Ariz., 68-71-68-71; Travis Woolf, Forth Worth, Texas, 69-68-72-69.

279—Joel Dahmen, Clarkston, Wash., 69-73-68-69; Darren Wallace, Langley, BC, 69-70-70-70.

280—George Gandranata, Emeryville, Calif., 71-69-69-71; Michael Wog, Scottsdale, Ariz., 70-71-70-69; Sam Smith, Turlock, Calif., 69-74-68-69.

281—Jarin Todd, Woodinville, Wash., 71-72-70-68; Eugene Wong, North Vancouver, BC, 69-74-69-69; Ryan Hallisey, Granite Bay, Calif., 72-74-67-68.

282—Gabe Maier, Cody, Wyo., 71-71-70-70.

283—Brett Kanda, Las Vegas, Nev., 71-76-71-65; Chris Kessler, Scottsdale, Ariz., 73-68-74-68; Andrew Barton, Sandy, Utah, 71-72-72-68.

284—Daniel Sullivan, Pasadena, Calif., 69-70-72-73; Nick Geyer, Albuquerque, N.M., 75-69-69-71; Andrew Vijarro, Bend, Ore., 72-72-72-68; Ryan McCarthy, Burne, Australia, 70-71-71-72.

285—Scott Lewis, Henderson, Nev., 70-78-68-69; Paul Peterson, Corvallis, Ore., 76-72-68-69; Nick Delio, Valencia, Calif., 72-75-66-72; Matt Hoffenberg, San Diego, Calif., 72-72-72-69; Steve Irwin, Golden, Colo., 73-72-69-71; Austin Hurt, Bainbridge Island, Wash., 75-70-70-70.

286—Riley Wheeldon, Courtenay, BC, 73-72-73-68; Brady Johnson, Mill Bay, BC, 67-79-67-73; Connor Driscoll, Encinitas, Calif., 71-73-73-69; Robbie Ziegler, Canby, Ore., 72-75-68-71.

287—Kevin Dougherty, Murrieta, Calif., 71-75-70-71; Jin Song, Scottsdale, Ariz., 72-71-73-71; Brandon Putnam, Albuquerque, N.M., 78-70-69-70; Scott Stiles, Calgary, AB, 78-72-67-70.

288—Dan Horner, Sandy, Utah, 70-73-73-72; Tom Gempel, Parker, Colo., 78-70-71-69.

289—Stuart Gold, West Haven, Utah, 70-80-73-66; Robbie Fillmore, Provo, Utah, 72-75-70-72; Rod Butler, Carson City, Nev., 71-76-70-72; Tim McKenney, Scottsdale, Ariz., 74-73-75-67; Steven Kearney, Carlsbad, Calif., 72-69-73-75.

290—Daniel Harrington, Chandler, Ariz., 69-76-71-74; Jesse Hibler, Boise, Idaho, 69-73-71-77; Jonathan Khan, Tucson, Ariz., 72-75-73-70.

291—Martin Trainer, Palo Alto, Calif., 74-75-69-73.

292—Michael Jensen, Los Altos, Calif., 74-70-76-72.

293—Todd Griffin, Casper, Wyo., 72-74-77-70; Joe Sanders, Incline Village, Nev., 77-71-73-72; Mitch Evanecz, Red Deer, AB, 70-77-71-75.

294—Andrew Putnam, University Place, Wash., 76-70-75-73; Geoff Gonzalez, Diablo, Calif., 81-70-73-70.

296—Neal McCarty, Sierra Vista, Ariz., 75-77-75-69; Lindsay Renolds, Christina Lake, BC, 72-79-71-74.

297—Braxton Marquez, Scottsdale, Ariz., 73-78-75-71; Brady Exber, Las Vegas, Nev., 71-71-77-78; Robert Valerio, Hawthorne, Calif., 75-75-74-73.

298—Scott Lowe, Calgary, AB, 73-77-74-74; Michael Karlberg, Truckee, Calif., 76-77-74-71.

299—Dan Whitaker, Cle Elum, Wash., 75-77-76-71; Richard McIntosh, Las Vegas, Nev., 72-75-72-80; Eric Peterson, Nampa, Idaho, 72-78-78-71; Luke Symons, Aurora, Colo., 75-76-75-73.

301—Cyrus Whitney, Oro Valley, Ariz., 76-76-76-73; Mark Johnson, Tulsa, Okla., 73-76-78-74; Klinton Krieger, Cheyenne, Wyo., 76-76-73-76.

302—Joe Sawaia, Henderson, Nev., 78-73-80-71; Chris Polski, Eugene, Ore., 76-77-73-76.

303—TJ Bordeaux, Tacoma, Wash., 73-82-73-75.

305—Jim Dunlap, Tigard, Ore., 79-72-79-75.

306—Bob Wheeler, Eagle, Idaho, 76-74-78-78; Ed Susolik, Newport Beach, Calif., 84-80-72-70.

307—Kevin Bredy, Calgary, AB, 80-77-74-76.

312—Dean Menante, Reno, Nev., 80-78-79-75.

DQ—David Lipsky, La Cañada, Calif., DQ; Alex Shi Yup Kim, Fullerton, Calif., 73-DQ.

WD—Daniel Miernicki, Santee, Calif., 78-65-WD.

Three Qualify For U.S. Amateur

Salem, Ore. (Monday, July 27, 2009) – As the local representative of the United States Golf Association, the Oregon Golf Association conducts two of the 99 Sectional Qualifying sites around the country where over 7,000 of the world’s best amateur golfers vie for the opportunity to compete for the national amateur title. The 36-hole qualifying tournament featured a field of 73 players with the three lowest players advancing to the The U.S. Amateur Championship will be held August 24-30 at Southern Hills CC in Tulsa, Okla.

The first of the two qualifiers was held on the 6,791-yard par-72 layout at Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem, Ore. The second qualifier administered by the OGA will be held next Monday at Juniper Golf Club in Redmond, Ore.

Mike Barry of Medford and Lucas Bogdan of Canada led the field with a 36-hole score of 1-under par, 143 to take medalist honors.

Barry, a former Oregon State 4A State Champion and a member of the First Team All West Coast Conference rose to the top of the leaderboard firing a 74-69—143. Bogdan, hails from Abbottsford, British Columbia and is a senior at Northwoods University, where he was selected to the NAIA All-Freshman team in 2007 and earned NAIA 2nd-Team All-American honors in 2008. This is the second straight year that Barry took medalist honors in a qualifier and is also the second straight year for Bogdan to earn a trip to the national championship.

Joining them is local favorite Eric Fiskum who finished one shot off the pace with a 68-76—144 in the sweltering 107-degree hear. Fiskum qualified last year for the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

Taking alternate positions are Nick Chianello of Gresham, Ore. who will be attending the Univerity of Portland next season and David Ferm of Spokane, Wash. shooting a 1-over par 145.

First Father-Daughter Parent-Child Champions

Salem, Ore. (July 26) - For the first time in its storied 59-year history, a Father-Daughter combo won the OGA Parent-Child. Returning to Salem Golf Club after several years, the team of Lindsay and Mark Harmon from Tualatin CC had a gross score of 7-under par 32-33—65 to win this unique championship were teams play one round of 18-hole Chapman (alternate shot) stroke play.

The teams of Marvin and Thomas Hoffman and Mark Hudspeth and Gloria Davis both had a score of 13-under par 59 to win the Net competition.

Originally established in 1928 as the Father-Son Championship, this is one of the most popular events administered by the OGA with over 100 clubs represented by teams comprised of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers.

Teams can choose to play on either Saturday or Sunday, and can form a different team for the other day. The winners are determined by the best Gross and Net score over the two day period.

Saturday
Gross Chapman Results
T1 Nielson/Divito             33-33—66 -6
T1 Harding /Harding           32-34—66 -6
3   Foushee/Foushee            34-33—67 -5
4   Reid/Reid                  33-35—68 -4
T5 Cardwell/Cardwell          34-35—69 -3
T5 Gall/Gall                  34-35—69 -3
T7 Cundari/Cundari            34-36—70 -2
T7 Stoll/Stoll                32-38—70 -2
T9 Guitteau/Guitteau          37-34—71 -1
T9 Geniza/Geniza              35-36—71 -1
T11 Hoffman/Hoffman            35-37—72 E
T11 Huff/Huff                  36-36—72 E
T11 Mackin /Mackin             38-34—72 E
T11 Wallace, Jr./Wallace       34-38—72 E
T15 Robson/Robson              36-37—73 +1
T15 Menashe/Menashe            37-36—73 +1
T17 Lawson/Lawson              36-38—74 +2
T17 Buckman/Buckman            37-37—74 +2
T17 Fischer/Fischer            37-37—74 +2
20 Zajicek/Zajicek            37-38—75 +3
T21 Nosler/Nosler              37-39—76 +4
T21 Landis/Landis              39-37—76 +4
T21 Garcia/Garcia              39-37—76 +4
T24 Engstrom/Engstrom          35-42—77 +5
T24 Buerkle/Buerkle            39-38—77 +5
T24 Funk /Funk                 35-42—77 +5
T24 Singh/Singh                36-41—77 +5
T24 Hudspeth/Davis             42-35—77 +5
T29 Hunt /Landerking           39-39—78 +6
T29 Olmstead/Olmstead          37-41—78 +6
T31 Archambault/Weber          37-42—79 +7
T31 Duncan/Duncan              41-38—79 +7
T31 Spencer/Spencer            36-43—79 +7
T34 Longtain/Longtain          39-42—81 +9
T34 Yeo/Yeo                    43-38—81 +9
T36 Pierce/Pierce              40-42—82 +10
T36 Ream/Ream                  43-39—82 +10
T38 Hellbusch/Hellbusch        41-42—83 +11
T38 Frajola/Frajola            42-41—83 +11
T38 Shillingburg/Shillingburg 42-41—83 +11
T38 Slama/Slama                42-41—83 +11
42 Burgher/Burgher            43-41—84 +12
43 Holstein/Holstein          43-43—86 +14
T44 Jensen/Jensen              45-42—87 +15
T44 Doty/Doty                  46-41—87 +15
46 Coombs/Coombs              41-47—88 +16
47 Alexander/Alexander        47-42—89 +17
T48 Johnson/Johnson            42-48—90 +18
T48 Heringer/Heringer III      47-43—90 +18
T50 LeFrancois/LeFrancois      49-42—91 +19
T50 Feldkamp/Feldkamp          48-43—91 +19
52 Kenyon/Kenyon              45-47—92 +20
53 Pierce/Pierce              49-44—93 +21
54 Duncan/Dunson              48-46—94 +22
55 Marshall/Marshall          53-49—102 +30
56 Holstein/Holstein          51-55—106 +34

Net Chapman Results
T1 Hoffman/Hoffman            28-31—59 -13
T1 Hudspeth/Davis             33-26—59 -13
T3 Reid/Reid                  30-33—63 -9
T3 Olmstead/Olmstead          29-34—63 -9
T3 Holstein/Holstein          31-32—63 -9
T6 Cundari/Cundari            31-33—64 -8
T6 Pierce/Pierce              31-33—64 -8
T6 Duncan/Duncan              33-31—64 -8
T6 Singh/Singh                29-35—64 -8
T10 Nielson/Divito             32-33—65 -7
T10 Engstrom/Engstrom          29-36—65 -7
T10 Robson/Robson              32-33—65 -7
T10 Gall/Gall                  32-33—65 -7
T10 Mackin /Mackin             34-31—65 -7
T10 Spencer/Spencer            29-36—65 -7
T10 Alexander/Alexander        35-30—65 -7
T17 Harding /Harding           32-34—66 -6
T17 Yeo/Yeo                    35-31—66 -6
T17 Wallace, Jr./Wallace       31-35—66 -6
T17 Fischer/Fischer            33-33—66 -6
T21 Nosler/Nosler              32-35—67 -5
T21 Cardwell/Cardwell          33-34—67 -5
T21 Garcia/Garcia              34-33—67 -5
T21 Longtain/Longtain          32-35—67 -5
T21 Zajicek/Zajicek            29-38—67 -5
T21 Duncan/Dunson              30-37—67 -5
T21 Geniza/Geniza              33-34—67 -5
T21 Stoll/Stoll                30-37—67 -5
T29 Buerkle/Buerkle            34-34—68 -4
T29 Doty/Doty                  36-32—68 -4
T29 Archambault/Weber          28-40—68 -4
T29 Funk /Funk                 30-38—68 -4
T29 Shillingburg/Shillingburg 34-34—68 -4
T29 Slama/Slama                34-34—68 -4
T29 Ream/Ream                  36-32—68 -4
T29 Foushee/Foushee            34-34—68 -4
T37 Guitteau/Guitteau          36-33—69 -3
T37 Lawson/Lawson              33-36—69 -3
T37 Menashe/Menashe            35-34—69 -3
T37 Frajola/Frajola            35-34—69 -3
T37 Marshall/Marshall          36-33—69 -3
T42 Landis/Landis              36-34—70 -2
T42 Buckman/Buckman            35-35—70 -2
T44 Hunt /Landerking           35-36—71 -1
T44 Johnson/Johnson            32-39—71 -1
T44 LeFrancois/LeFrancois      39-32—71 -1
T44 Heringer/Heringer III      37-34—71 -1
T48 Jensen/Jensen              37-35—72 E
T48 Huff/Huff                  36-36—72 E
T48 Pierce/Pierce              38-34—72 E
T48 Burgher/Burgher            37-35—72 E
T48 Feldkamp/Feldkamp          38-34—72 E
53 Hellbusch/Hellbusch        36-37—73 +1
54 Coombs/Coombs              35-41—76 +4
55 Holstein/Holstein          37-41—78 +6
56 Kenyon/Kenyon              38-41—79 +7

Sunday
Gross Chapman Results

1   Harmon/Harmon             32-33—65 -7
2   Glodt/Glodt               33-34—67 -5
T3 Elmes/Elmes               35-33—68 -4
T3 Garbutt/Garbutt           36-32—68 -4
T5 McComish/McComish         34-36—70 -2
T5 Harding /Harding          35-35—70 -2
T5 Greene/Greene, Jr.        36-34—70 -2
T8 Banick/Banick             34-37—71 -1
T8 Klenz/Klenz               37-34—71 -1
T10 Geniza/Geniza             37-35—72 E
T10 Quintero/Quintero         35-37—72 E
T12 Mitchell /Mitchell        36-37—73 +1
T12 Johnson/Johnson           38-35—73 +1
T12 Green/Green               34-39—73 +1
T15 Oliver/Oliver             35-39—74 +2
T15 Jetton/Jetton             37-37—74 +2
T17 Skreen/Skreen             38-37—75 +3
T17 Kay /Kay                  36-39—75 +3
T17 Pierson/Pierson           37-38—75 +3
T17 Reed/Reed                 36-39—75 +3
T17 Lindow/Lindow             37-38—75 +3
22 Odiorne/Odiorne           41-35—76 +4
T23 Marr/Marr                 39-38—77 +5
T23 Everman/Everman           40-37—77 +5
T23 Zika/Zika                 40-37—77 +5
T23 Maes/Maes                 40-37—77 +5
T23 Wallner/Wallner           38-39—77 +5
T28 Proctor /Proctor          36-42—78 +6
T28 Broome/Broome             38-40—78 +6
T28 Wallace, Jr./Wallace III 37-41—78 +6
T31 Riesterer/Riesterer       39-41—80 +8
T31 Bailey/Bailey             41-39—80 +8
T31 Verbanic/Verbanic         37-43—80 +8
T31 Slama/Slama               36-44—80 +8
T31 LeBoeuf/Iverson           37-43—80 +8
T36 Sanford/Sanford           40-41—81 +9
T36 Coleman/Kraemer           40-41—81 +9
T38 Bissell/Bissell           42-40—82 +10
T38 Coffman/Coffman           40-42—82 +10
T38 Spiker/Spiker             41-41—82 +10
T38 Olson/Olson               39-43—82 +10
T42 Dodd/Dodd                 41-42—83 +11
T42 Bledsoe/Bledsoe           41-42—83 +11
T42 Fischer/Fischer           41-42—83 +11
T42 Sells/Sells               40-43—83 +11
T42 Schoning/Schoning         39-44—83 +11
T47 Tumpane/Tumpane           41-43—84 +12
T47 Sckerl/Sckerl             43-41—84 +12
T47 Freuler/Freuler           41-43—84 +12
50 Pierce/Pierce             44-41—85 +13
T51 Robson/Robson             44-42—86 +14
T51 Calderon/Calderon         44-42—86 +14
T53 Fredrickson /Fredrickson 45-43—88 +16
T53 Pierce/Pierce             44-44—88 +16
T55 Dipaola/Schmidt-Dipaola   47-45—92 +20
T55 Pedersen/Pedersen         51-41—92 +20
57 Polo/Polo                 49-46—95 +23
58 Arnold/Rowton             55-47—102 +30
59 Rowton/Rowton             54-51—105 +33
T60 Wilding/Wilding           55-52—107 +35
T60 Polo/Polo                 56-51—107 +35

Net Chapman Results

1   Maes/Maes                 31-29—60 -12
2   LeBoeuf/Iverson           27-34—61 -11
3   Garbutt/Garbutt           33-29—62 -10
T4 Everman/Everman           33-30—63 -9
T4 Elmes/Elmes               32-31—63 -9
T4 Broome/Broome             30-33—63 -9
T4 Harmon/Harmon             31-32—63 -9
8   Sckerl/Sckerl             33-31—64 -8
T9 Riesterer/Riesterer       31-34—65 -7
T9 Oliver/Oliver             30-35—65 -7
T9 Glodt/Glodt               32-33—65 -7
T9 Wallner/Wallner           32-33—65 -7
T9 Green/Green               30-35—65 -7
T14 Mitchell /Mitchell        32-34—66 -6
T14 McComish/McComish         32-34—66 -6
T14 Pierce/Pierce             34-32—66 -6
T14 Slama/Slama               29-37—66 -6
T14 Reed/Reed                 31-35—66 -6
T19 Banick/Banick             32-35—67 -5
T19 Bailey/Bailey             34-33—67 -5
T19 Jetton/Jetton             33-34—67 -5
T22 Bissell/Bissell           35-33—68 -4
T22 Coffman/Coffman           33-35—68 -4
T22 Geniza/Geniza             35-33—68 -4
T22 Quintero/Quintero         33-35—68 -4
T22 Robson/Robson             35-33—68 -4
T22 Calderon/Calderon         35-33—68 -4
T22 Pierson/Pierson           33-35—68 -4
T22 Spiker/Spiker             34-34—68 -4
T22 Odiorne/Odiorne           37-31—68 -4
T22 Klenz/Klenz               35-33—68 -4
T32 Skreen/Skreen             35-34—69 -3
T32 Pierce/Pierce             34-35—69 -3
T32 Greene/Greene, Jr.        35-34—69 -3
T35 Marr/Marr                 35-35—70 -2
T35 Sanford/Sanford           34-36—70 -2
T35 Dodd/Dodd                 34-36—70 -2
T35 Johnson/Johnson           36-34—70 -2
T35 Kay /Kay                  33-37—70 -2
T35 Zika/Zika                 36-34—70 -2
T35 Sells/Sells               33-37—70 -2
T35 Coleman/Kraemer           34-36—70 -2
T35 Polo/Polo                 36-34—70 -2
T44 Bledsoe/Bledsoe           35-36—71 -1
T44 Harding /Harding          35-36—71 -1
T44 Wallace, Jr./Wallace III 33-38—71 -1
T44 Lindow/Lindow             35-36—71 -1
T48 Verbanic/Verbanic         33-39—72 E
T48 Fischer/Fischer           35-37—72 E
T50 Fredrickson /Fredrickson 37-36—73 +1
T50 Olson/Olson               34-39—73 +1
T52 Proctor /Proctor          34-40—74 +2
T52 Dipaola/Schmidt-Dipaola   38-36—74 +2
54 Freuler/Freuler           36-39—75 +3
T55 Tumpane/Tumpane           37-39—76 +4
T55 Polo/Polo                 40-36—76 +4
57 Schoning/Schoning         34-44—78 +6
T58 Arnold/Rowton             43-36—79 +7
T58 Pedersen/Pedersen         44-35—79 +7
60 Rowton/Rowton             43-40—83 +11
61 Wilding/Wilding           44-42—86 +14

Suchar Takes 36-Hole Lead; Washington Wins Morse Cup

VISIT PACIFICCOASTAMATEUR.COM for complete coverage.

TUCSON, ARIZ., (July 29)—At the halfway point of the 43rd Pacific Coast Amateur Championship, Zack Sucher of Mobile, Ala., a man on a mission, backed up yesterday’s course-record at The Gallery Golf Club’s South Course with a 5-under-par 67 today to take a one-shot lead over co-first-round leader Eric Mina of Fremont, Calif.

The 22-year-old Sucher, who is playing nearly every week this summer hoping to make the United States Walker Cup team, is at 132, 12 under par, for two rounds. He had four birdies and an eagle today en route to his 67. Mina had five birdies and a bogey today.

Suchar with Media

Matt Suchar putts on 16 as the media looks on.

Chan Kim of Chandler, Ariz, is in third place at 136, four shots behind Sucher. He’s a shot in front of Richard Lee of Bellevue, Wash. and Travis Woolf of Ft. Worth, Tex., who shot 68 today despite making nine birdies.

Sucher, who finished his eligibility at UAB this spring, plays most of his golf on the east coast and in the south, but entered the Pacific Coast Amateur in hopes of making the U.S. Walker Cup squad that will compete against a Great Britain and Ireland team Sept. 12-23 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Penn.

He was 2 under par through 15 holes today but went birdie-eagle on the par-three 16th and par-five 17th hole. On the 601-yard 17th hole, Sucher hit driver into the left rough, then spanked a three-wood to within three feet of the hole and sank the putt. He finished by making par 4 on the 18th hole after hitting his drive into a fairway bunker.

Sucher could have posted consecutive 65s but he made bogey on the 616-yard, par-5 fifth hole (his only over-par score of the tournament). “I was 270 yards from the hole in the middle of the fairway on five,” he said with a grin afterwards, “but I hit in a greenside bunker, skulled it out and eventually made 6. Except for that hole, I played about as well today as I did yesterday; in fact, I hit my iron shots better today.”

The 20-year-old Mina, a rising junior at University of California at Berkeley, was in the final group today and was satisfied with his 68. “The wind really kicked up in the afternoon,” said Mina after his round, “and being in the last group the greens weren’t as pure as they were yesterday.”

Mina pointed to his only bogey (on the 449-yard fourth hole, his 13th) as a turning point today, but for the positive. “I hit in the desert and ended up making a 20-footer for bogey,” said Mina, “which helped keep my round on track.” A birdie 3 late in the round hole got Mina to within a shot of the lead.

“My goal tomorrow is just to play smart and roll my rock,” said Mina. “I need to take advantage of those times when I have a short approach shot or a short putt,” said Mina.

In the annual Morse Cup Team Competition, Washington State Golf Association rallied from five shots off the pace and successfully defended its title with a one-shot victory over the Pacific Northwest GA. With the best two of three individual scores counting in each of the first two rounds, WSGA shot 141-139 — 280.

The PNGA appeared to have the title in the bag until Cameron Peck made a quadruple-bogey 8 on the finishing hole, an adventure that included two unplayable lies, hitting a sprinkler box (with the ball ending up behind him) and leaving a 30-foot putt hanging on the lip. First-round leader British Columbia GA slipped to a 153 today and finished tied for 10th.

The 72-hole stroke play event continues through Friday. Players will tee off the first and 10th tees each day beginning at 7 a.m. and the leaders will tee off the first tee at 9:10 a.m. Spectators are welcome with no admission charge.

MINA AND SUCHER SET COURSE RECORD FOR FIRST ROUND PACIFIC COAST AMATEUR LEAD

TUCSON, ARIZ., July 28—Eric Mina of Fremont, Calif. and Zack Sucher of Mobile, Ala. were each as hot as the 110-degree temperature at The Gallery Golf Club just north of Tucson as they fired course-record scores of 7-under-par 65 over the South Course to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the 43rd Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.

Mina, a 20-year-old rising junior at the University of California at Berkeley, had seven birdies, two bogies and an eagle 2 on the 362-yard, par-four 12th hole when he holed a 25-yard chip-and-run approach shot. The 22-year-old Sucher, who just finished his eligibility at UAB and was playing with just 13 clubs in his bag, had five birdies and an eagle on his round.

They’re two shots in front of Brady Johnson of Mill Bay, BC and Chan Kim of Chandler, Ariz. Another shot back, after 68s today, were Philip Francis of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Tarquin MacManus of Cairns, Australia, one of two Aussies in the field.

In the annual Morse Cup team competition held in conjunction with the first two rounds of the Championship, the British Columbia team rode Johnson’s 67 and a 3-under-par 69 from Eugene Wong of North Vancouver, BC for a first-round total of 136, good for a two-shot lead over the team representling Arizona. The defending champions from Washington is among five teams that are another shot back at 141.

Mina had good feelings heading into the round. “After I played my practice round Monday,” he said after today’s round, “I really felt like the course fit my eye.” He wasn’t so sure after a three-putt par on the par-5 first hole but beginning with a birdie 4 on the par-5 fifth hole he heated up. “That started me on the right track,” said Mina. “I played conservatively, going for the center of the greens, and this was one of the best putting days I’ve ever had in my career.”

Sucher left his lob wedge at his hotel room and elected to play with nothing steeper than a gap wedge. “As it turned out,” said Sucher after his round, “I didn’t need it; I may leave it at home the rest of the week.”

Like Mina, Sucher was ready for a great score after his practice round. “The course has extremely wide fairways so if you’re hitting it good, you can go really low,” said Sucher. “My goal beginning today was to not make any big, silly mistakes and that’s what I did. I love it when I have a round with no bogies.” His only long putts were a 20-footer and 10-footer for birdie and a 30-footer for eagle (on the 588-yard first hole, his 10th of the day).

Complete Leaderboards and Live Scoring can be found at www.pacificcoastamateur.com.

ABOUT THE PACIFIC COAST AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
This year’s 72-hole stroke play event, with 84 players competing, begins today and continues through Friday. John Fought, the 1975 Pacific Coast Amateur and 1977 U.S. Amateur champion who designed The Gallery’s South Course, also spoke at the players’ dinner.

The Pacific Coast Amateur first ran from 1901 through 1911. Since it was revived in 1967, the championship has been won by many golfers who have gone onto prominent professional careers, including current PGA Tour members Ben Crane, who won in 1998 and Jason Gore (1997), Champions Tour member Mark Johnson (1994); and Nationwide Tour members Todd Demsey (1993); Alex Prugh (2005) and Michael Putnam (2004).

Little and Smith Advance to U.S. Women’s Amateur

KENMORE, WASH. (Thursday, July 16) – Kendra Little of Eugene, Ore. and Breanne Smith of Canby, Ore. both shot 2-over par 74’s at the difficult 6,332 yard Inglewood Golf Club to share medalist honors and advance to the 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri.

Little, a University of Oregon golfer