(photo courtesy PNGA)
Vancouver, British Columbia (Saturday, July 15, 2006) -- Danny Green of Jackson, Tenn. defeated Erik Olson of Newcastle, Wash, 9 and 7 in the 36-hole final match at the 105th PNGA Men's Amateur Championship played at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club in Vancouver B.C.
Danny Green, the 2001 U.S. Walker Cup Team member and 1999 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion played the first eighteen holes of the match at an astonishing 6-under par, which included a bogie. His seven birdies were on holes #3, #6, #8, #10, #14, #15, #18. After eighteen holes of play, Green was 6 up on University of Washington golfer, Erik Olson. If this was a stroke play event, Green would have come within one stroke of the competitive course record of 6-under par 64. PGA Tour player Stephen Ames carded a 63 in the Bell Canadian Open last year.
In the second half of the match, Green continued his domination making birdie on the 20th hole to go 7 up. The match never got better for Olson. Olson had one glimpse at a come back when he made birdie on the 22nd hole, but Green turned up the heat again and won holes 25, 27 and 29 to close the match early.
Green, at the age of 48, is the oldest player in the last half century to win the PNGA Men's Amateur, and until confirmed by PNGA historians, may be the oldest player in the 105 years of this championship. Green, a Presidential Invite, is known as one of the best career amateurs in the United States. His other accomplishments include, 3-time Tennessee Amateur champion, 2001 U.S. Public Links finalist, 1989 U.S. Amateur finalist and 4-time Tennessee Mid-Amateur champion. He has played in The Masters twice, missing the cut by one stroke in 2000.
Some of the past champions of this event include Tiger Woods (1994), Ben Crane (1997), Jeff Quinney (1998), and Nick Flanagan (2003). In the last 12 years, three players that have won this championship have gone on to win the U.S. Amateur Championship (Tiger Woods, Jeff Quinney and Nick Flanagan). a.m. from the first tee.
105th PNGA MEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP ~ 36-HOLE FINAL
Danny Green, Jackson, Tenn. (148) def Erik Olson, Newcastle, Wash.
(145), 8 and 7
ABOUT THE PNGA Amateur
First held in 1899, the Pacific Northwest Men’s
Amateur
is one of the country’s longest running amateur
championships. Held annually at world-class courses
throughout the Pacific Northwest, this championship
is
played in the same format as the U.S. Amateur and
features an impressive list of past champions that
include; Nick Flanagan, Ben Crane, Jeff Quinney, Bill
Sander, and Tiger Woods. Eligibility is open to
members
of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association and top
amateurs throughout the world invited via
Presidential
Invitation. Each year’s champion earns a hosted
exemption in to the Pacific Coast Amateur and
Sahalee
Players Championship.
The Championship will be conducted in two stages:
Stroke Play – All players must complete the 36-hole
stroke play qualifying in order to determine the 64
players who will advance to match play. In the event
of a tie for the final qualifying spot(s), a sudden-
death playoff will be used to determine the qualifiers.
In the event of a tie for the Qualifying Medalist, a
sudden-death playoff will commence.
Match Play – The General Numerical Draw will be in
effect. Single elimination match play. 36-hole
Championship Final Match. All other matches are 18
holes.
View Complete Tournament Information