Harper Wins His Second Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship
Everett, Wash. (September 15, 2011) – Sandy Harper of Nanaimo, B.C shot a dominant final round 6-under par 66 to capture the 27th Annual Pacific Northwest Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) at Everett Golf and Country Club in Everett, Wash.
Harper came into the final round tied for the lead with local favorite and 2011 Washington State Mid-Amateur Champion, Stephen Lee of Everett, Wash. Harper gained the lead early making a birdie on the 4th hole and increased it to five shots after his birdie on #9 got him to 11-under par with nine holes to play. In true champion form, Harper birdied holes 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18 to pull away from the field for an eight shot victory and a championship total of 15-under par 201.
When asked about his stellar performance Harper said, “I really enjoy it. The course was really tight but I was able to hit driver a lot and putted really well. The course was in great shape.”
In regards to winning his second title he said, “After I birdied the par 5, 13th I started to think about the win I had at Big Sky in 2007 where I played pretty similar. I had a great time down the stretch.”
Harper joins a short list of repeat winners of the Pacific Northwest Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. He becomes the first since Dr. Kirk Smith of Everett, Wash., won his fourth title in 2000.
Returning Champion, Dan Whitaker of Cle Elum, Wash., finished runner up after outlasting Lee down the stretch to finish at 7-under par, 209 for the championship.
