BEND, Ore. (July 11, 2011) -- The 110th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) got underway today with 152 players teeing it up at Tetherow in Bend, Ore. Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho continued to impress after coming off his win last week at the Sahalee Players Championship, and carded an opening round of 4-under par 68 tying the competitive course record.
His opening nine was flawless with birdies at Nos. 1, 4, 8, and 9 for a 32. Williams did not play the back-9 in his practice round but still managed to make two birdies on Nos. 11 and 18 with just two bogeys on the day which came on Nos. 13 and 16.
Right behind Williams and vying for medalist honors as well is a pair of Oregon State Beavers; Matt Rawitzer of Bellingham, Wash. and Nick Sherwood of Albany, Ore. Rawitzer who recently joined the OSU Beavers team and will be a Junior played very consistently and fired in five birdies on the day at Nos. 1, 2, 11, 13, and 18 with just two bogeys on par-3 holes Nos. 7 and 17 for an opening round of 3-under par 69. Ellis who will also be a Junior in Corvallis had a field best, six birdies on the round at No. 2, 4, 5, 10, 13, and 18 with a lone bogey on No. 7 and a double bogey at the par-5 No. 9. Only 3 other players shot under par today; David Fink (70) from Kailua, Hawaii, Andrew Vijarro (71) of Bend, Ore., and Nick Thomas of Westlake Village, Calif.
The Championship begins with 36-holes of stroke play qualifying followed by a cut to the low 64 players who will advance to single elimination match play. The second and final round of stroke play qualifying will commence at Tetherow on Tuesday morning.
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