Golfers aim to be the best amateur
Chrystal Doucette/Columbia Basin HeraldMoses Lake resident Cameron Whittle, 19, takes a practice swing Tuesday at the 82nd Washington State Golf Association MenÕs Amateur Championship.
State men's amateur championship is in Moses Lake
MOSES LAKE - Nearly 120 golfers brought their clubs to The Links at Moses Pointe Tuesday for a chance to be named Washington's best amateur golfer.
The 82nd Washington State Golf Association Men's Amateur Championship is held in Moses Lake through Friday. It is free for the public to watch the tournament, which begins each day at 7:30 a.m.
"It's Washington state's oldest and most prestigious championship," said Director of Golf at The Links Bill Porter.
Golfers from across Washington traveled to the competition, which was last held at the location in 2005.
After Wednesday, the number of players is reduced to 60, Porter said. The final players compete Thursday and Friday.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, Richard Lee of Covington led, followed by Jarin Todd of Woodinville and Jens Bracht of Lake Forest Park.
Last year's champion, Clarkston resident Joel Dahmen, was tied for the 13th position at one stroke above par.
The only Grant County resident participating in the championship appeared to be Cameron Whittle, 19, of Moses Lake.
"It's fun to do for me. Good competitive golf," Whittle said.
Whittle said he participated the past couple of years in the event. At the time of the interview, Whittle was one stroke under par with two holes left in the game.
He said he started playing golf in sixth or seventh grade and has been around it his entire life. He competes against his dad and brother and plays at Walla Walla Community College.
Volunteer Ben Stodghill said qualifying participants must have a handicap of six or less and be a member of a Washington golf course associated with the Washington State Golf Association.
"We always like coming out here because we get a good turnout," Stodghill said. "Guys like the course."
The first-place winner receives a trophy and bragging rights for the year, he said.
Some of the competition's past winners have gone pro, including 1978 champion Fred Couples, who has earned nearly $20 million in his career, according to PGA Tour's Web site.
Other past winners include professional golfer Brock Mackenzie and Joseph Lanza, who is on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, Stodghill said.
Up-to-date scores for the championship are available at http://www.pnganetwork.com/Results/index.aspx?ID=55.
The Links at Moses Point is located at 4524 Westshore Dr., in Moses Lake.