-- photo PNGA
BEND, Ore. (July 12, 2011) -- The 36-hole stroke play qualifying at the 110th Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur Championship conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) finished up today with 152 players vying for a place in the top 64. Oregon State University teammates, David Fink of Kailua, HI and Matt Rawitzer of Bellingham, WA finished the qualifying tied at 7-under par 137 to force a playoff for medalist honors and the #1 seed in match play.
On the first playoff hole, Fink made a birdie to capture the Charles Henry Davis Medalist Award. After a wayward drive, Fink hit the flagstick with his approach from the desert and made the putt to best Rawitzer who was not able to convert a 12-foot birdie putt of his own.
Fink started the day two strokes back of first round leader Chris Williams of Moscow, Idaho, but made 8 birdies on the day which came on holes Nos. 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, and 18 to set the new competitive course record with a 5-under par 67.
Rawitzer also set out today on a blistering pace and recorded 3 birdies in a row on holes Nos. 2, 3, and 4 before holing out for eagle on the 426 yard par-4 5th hole. Turning in 5-under par 31, Rawitzer then made another streak of birdies on holes Nos. 10, 11, and 12 to get to 8-under par on his round. An approach shot which landed in the water on the par-5 13th hole was enough to record a double bogey and bogeys on the following two holes brought him back to 4-under par where he would eventually finish with a 68.
There was a 3-man playoff for the #64 seed with a 36-hole total of 156. Tyler Parker of Portland, Ore. made birdie on the first two playoff holes to best Thomas Gocke of Sammamish, Wash. and Sang Gyun Angelo Lee of Calgary, AB.
The Championship began 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 Round of 64 will commence Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. off of the #1 tee.
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