Chianello, Falk in finals of Oregon Amateur

TUALATIN, ORE (June 22, 2012) – Oregon State golfer Nick Chianello advanced to the finals where he’ll face Northwest Christian College golfer Tyler Falk after both players made it through today’s quarter and semifinal match play. Earlier in the day in quarterfinal play, Chianello beat defending champion Jack Dukeminier 4 and 2. “I hit it a little better the second round, this afternoon,” Chianello said. “I didn’t make too many putts but I was hitting it pretty close all day and I got a few to drop.” Chianello, of Gresham, Ore., started strong in his semifinal match winning three of the first four holes on route to a 3 and 2 victory over Jesse Heinly of Bend, Ore. In his semifinal match, Falk, from Springfield, Ore., made four birdies on the front nine on his way to an 8 and 6 win over Steve DeSilva of Beaverton, Ore. “I just putted really well, really felt good over the ball and I had a good rhythm going on,” Falk said. “Today I got it together and felt really good about my game.” For the women, 2009 Oregon Amateur Champion Amy Beth Simonton, of Lake Oswego, Ore., defeated Caitlin McCleary of The Dalles, Ore., in their match 4 and 3. “I played really well,” Simonton said. “I was making more putts this round, I was keeping it in the fairway. You just hope that you go out there, play your best and give it a shot.” In arguably the day’s most exciting match that also featured the biggest crowd, Lakeridge grad Kendal Prince and George Fox golfer Kelsey Morrison traded stellar shots to take the match down to the wire. Prince, who was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, won 1-up. “I scrambled really well, [I had] a really good clutch save on seventeen for par,” Prince said. “I hope I just keep the momentum going tomorrow.” The 36-hole, two-day stroke play format cuts to 64 men and 32 women for the match play portion of the event Wednesday through Saturday. The champions will be crowned after a 36-hole final on Saturday, June 23rd.