SAMMAMISH, Washington (July 6, 2011) – Beau Hossler Jr. of Mission Viejo, Cal. has set a blistering pace at the 18th Sahalee Players Championship at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. with an opening round of 4-under par 68.

Hossler is trying to ride the momentum of his U.S. Open appearance last month to win his first major amateur title at Sahalee Country Club against 66 of the top amateur players in the world. Hossler took advantage of the par 5’s on the 6,961 yard, par 72 course making three birdies and one par. He made two more birdies to offset his lone bogey which came on his first hole of the day.

Hossler leads a slew of contender’s that sit two shots back at 2- under par 70 that include fellow 2011 U.S. Open qualifier, Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho, University of the Pacific graduate, T.J. Bordeaux of Tacoma, Wash., Cal Poly student athlete Pace Johnson of Fresno, Cal., World Team Amateur participant, Minghao Wang of Alpharetta, GA, and Michael Kim of Del Mar, Cal. who recently finished in 4th place at the Dogwood Invitational.

The course conditions were firm, fast, and ideal for championship golf and should make for a thrilling week at the prestigious venue. When asked about the Sahalee Players Championship, Tournament Director, Mike Jonson said, “The Sahalee Players Championship provides the Northwest the opportunity each year to witness the performance of some of the world’s finest amateur players.”

This year marks the 18th year of the Sahalee Players Championship which returns to Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash. after moving to The Home Course last year due to the club hosting the 2010 U.S. Senior Open won by Bernhard Langer. This year’s championship will be contested over 72 holes of stroke play from July 6-8, 2011.

Last year Peter Uihlein won by setting a tournament record of 17-under par and joined an impressive list of past champions that includes Nick Taylor, Daniel Summerhays, Kyle Stanley, Ryan Moore, Arron Oberholser and Jason Gore. In addition to the U.S. Senior Open, Sahalee Country Club has also tested the world’s best with hosting the 1998 PGA Championship won by Vijay Singh and the 2002 World Golf Championship NEC Invitational won by Craig Perry. The Pacific Northwest Golf Association teamed up with Sahalee Country Club 10 years ago to create the “Western Swing” with the PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Sahalee Players Championship is the first leg of the swing, with the PNGA Men’s Amateur being played to week after. The two events teamed up together with a primary goal of giving amateur golfers in the west an opportunity to play two major national amateur championships without having to travel to the east coast.

ENTRIES OPEN: Entries are now open for 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship

Neal Shipley's amazing week at the 88th Masters Tournament

Meet the five amateurs teeing it up at The 2024 Masters

ENTRIES OPEN: Entries are now open for the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur

15-year-old Miles Russell shoots 3-under 68 on Korn Ferry Tour