Mark Strickland wins 36th PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship

Mark Strickland of Mukilteo, Wash. fired rounds of 73-70-68 and made birdie on the first playoff hole to win the 36th Pacific Northwest Golf Association's (PNGA) Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship on Thursday.

The 54-hole stroke-play championship was held at Silvies Valley Ranch in Seneca, Ore. Round one was played on the resort’s Craddock Course, round two on the Hankins Course, and today’s final round was contested on the Craddock Course.

In the final round, Strickland made just one bogey and five birdies which propelled him up the leaderboard and placed him in a tie for first with Harrison Moir of Portland, Ore. after the conclusion of play. He defeated Moir the first playoff hole (Hole #18) with a birdie to capture the title.

Strickland entered today’s final round in solo fifth, five shots back, and had to climb over four other players to reach the top of the leaderboard.

“It feels great to win,” said Strickland, “I played solid and the competition was great. It’s not a gimme out here, you’ve gotta earn it.”

Strickland had never been to Silvies Valley Ranch before, and he didn’t play a practice round. When asked about his game plan during the first two rounds, Strickland said, “I tried to play on the more conservative side. I figured I’d see what’s gettable and then be aggressive today.”

This is the first PNGA title for the 29-year-old Strickland. Strickland played college golf at Western Washington University and he qualified for the 2014 U.S. Amateur and 2018 U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Daniel Campbell of Bellingham, Wash. and Hunter Wescott of Portland, Ore. finished in a tie for third and Colten Kleis of Seattle, Wash. finished in fifth. Cody Roth of Bellingham, Wash., who entered today’s round with the lead, fired a 5-over 77 to finish in solo sixth.

The PNGA Men’s Amateur Championship is one of 11 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.