Louisville photo
EAGLE, Idaho (July 7, 2008)--Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC carded an opening round 7-under par 63 to set a prominent pace at the first round of stroke play qualifying at Northwest’s oldest major amateur golf championship, the 107th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship being held at BanBury Golf Club in Eagle, Idaho.
Hadwin put together an astonishing six birdies on the front nine holes, breaking the 30 mark with a front nine score of 29. Hadwin made no mistakes on the golf course, finishing with seven birdies, 11 pars, and no bogeys.
This is not the first time that Hadwin has had success in the stroke play qualifying rounds of the PNGA Men’s Amateur. Hadwin was medalist at Shaughnessy G&CC in Vancouver BC in 2006. Hadwin plays golf for the 10th ranked Louisville Cardinals. He was recently selected as one of six players to the 2008 Canadian National Team.
With a 63, Hadwin only holds a one-stroke lead over Jarin Todd of Woodinville, Wash., who carded an impressive 6-under par 64. Todd also faired well on the front nine, making an eagle and three of his four birdies on the first six holes. Todd was the 2007-08 NCAA Division II National Player of the Year while playing for Sonoma State. He recently finished third at the 2008 Division II National Championship.
Overall, scores in the first round were low. Three players (Jensen, Flores, and Toskey) carded 65, and four players (Jeong, Bracht, Ayotte, and Sjaichudin) finished with 66. The average score of the 168 player field was 73, on the 6865 yard, par 70 layout of BanBury GC.
Tuesday marks the final day of stroke play qualifying. The top 64 players will advance to match play. The schedule for the week is the following: Monday and Tuesday, July 7-8 – Stroke-play qualifying, 18 holes, (field reduced to the lowest 64 players, who advance to match play). Wednesday, July 9 – First round, 18 holes, match play; Thursday, July 10 – Second and third round, 18 holes, match play; Friday, July 11 – Quarterfinals and semifinals, 18 holes, match play; Saturday, July 12 – Final, 36 holes, match play.
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