PNGA Amateur: Flores takes medalist honors at 8-under-par
UCLA photo
EAGLE, Idaho (July 8, 2008) – Erik Flores, 22, of Grass Valley, Calif. earned medalist honors in a playoff against first round leader Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC at the 107th PNGA Men’s Amateur’s being held at BanBury Golf Club in Eagle, Idaho.
Flores, the #2 player for the National Champion UCLA Bruins, and Hadwin, who both finished stroke play qualifying at 8-under par 132, put on a display in the playoff for medalist honors. Flores barely made it to the first tee in time, after falling asleep on his host family's couch after his round earlier in the day. He had time for two quick warm-up shots before heading to the tee to face Hadwin, the 2006 medalist.
Both players proceeded to birdie the par-4 first hole and par-5 the second hole. Hadwin then got up and down from the greenside bunker on the par-3 third hole to save par and send the playoff to the par-5 fourth hole.
Hadwin, who plays for the 10th ranked Louisville Cardinals, appeared to have the advantage after Flores hit his second shot over the green, in which his ball was nestled safely on the green with a 20-foot eagle putt. After studying his chip from both sides, Flores hit a chip shot with perfect line and speed and holed out it out for eagle. Hadwin just missed his eagle putt on the high side, giving Flores medalist honors and the #1 seed in match play. Overall, in the four playoff holes, Flores was 4-under par and Hadwin 3-under par.
The field was trimmed to the low 64 players who have advanced to match play. The cut was 5-over par 145. Five players at 145 had a playoff for the final four spots in match play.
The low player in stroke play qualifying from the Boise area was Preston Alder, who qualified for match play with two day total of 1-over par 141.
Shot of the day – Jens Bracht of Lake Forest, Wash. had a hole-in-one on #16, the 167 yard, par-3.
The schedule for the rest of the week is as follows: 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