Whittle sets course record

MOSES LAKE — For the first time since 1968, an amateur golfer holds the course record at the Moses Lake Golf Club.

Moses Lake’s Cameron Whittle, 20, shot a course-best 61 July 1 to break Mike Schoner’s 5-year-old record of 62.

Whittle’s record-breaking stroke came on his final swing of the day — a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole.

“It feels really good,” he said of the record. “It is something I have always wanted to do. It was nice to have my dad, older brother and close family friends there.”

Whittle has played golf since he was young and loves the game.

“I have been around golf since I was 3 years old,” he said. “I didn’t get serious about it until the seventh grade.”

Whittle said he realized he had an opportunity to break the record when he was 6-under-par heading into the final nine holes.

“It was going through my mind ever since I made the turn,” he said. “I was 6-under at the turn and I got to eight under really quick.”

Moses Lake Golf Club pro Mike Eslick said Whittle’s performance last week was impressive.

“Cameron is a two-time club champion and is the current champion,” he said. “(Whittle’s record) is good for the course.”

Whittle plays the course at the Moses Lake Golf Club at least two times per week and Eslick said Whittle deserved to break the course record.

“Cameron has worked really hard on his golf game,” Eslick said. “I can’t say enough about him. He is a good kid. I am happy for him.”

After Whittle broke the course record, he said he was thankful for the opportunity to play.

“I would like to thank the country club out here for allowing me to play all the time,” he said.

Whittle played golf at Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, Wash., for the past two years.

Whittle will take his skills on the course to Whitworth University this year in Spokane, Wash.