Kirkebo surges into lead at PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur
Tres Kirkebo of Lakewood, Wash. followed up an opening round 3-under 69 with a 2-under 70 in today’s second round to take the top spot heading into tomorrow’s final round at the 33rd Pacific Northwest Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, being held this week at Bend (Ore.) Golf and Country Club. The 54-hole stroke-play championship is being conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA).
Kirkebo, a member at Tacoma Country and Golf Club who earlier this year won the Kitsap Amateur, birdied three of his last four holes in today’s round to jump into the lead. He began today’s second round one shot behind first-round leader Greg Sanders of Anchorage, Alaska.
Sanders, the executive director of the Alaska Golf Association, had opened with a 4-under 68, but couldn’t keep it going today, starting the day 3-over before birdieing his last two holes to finish with a 1-over 73. Sanders sits two shots back of Kirkebo.
Robbie Ziegler of Portland, Ore. put himself back into contention with a 3-under 69 today. He had opened with an even-par 72 in yesterday’s first round, but got it going early today, dropping three birdies in his first six holes to make the turn at 3-under for the day. Ziegler is a former standout at the University of Oregon men’s golf team. Earlier this summer he won the Royal Oaks Invitational, and three days ago lost out in a six-man playoff for the final spot in a U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier.
Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake, Idaho followed up yesterday’s opening round of even-par 72 with a 2-under par 70 to move into fourth place, just three shots back of Kirkebo. Hatley was named the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Player of the year in 2015 and 2016.
Only four players in the field – Kirkebo, Sanders, Ziegler and Hatley – are under par after completion of the first two rounds.
Click here for tee times, pairings and to follow along with live scoring. To stay connected on social media, follow @PNGALIVE on Twitter for live updates and use the hashtag #PNGAMensMidAm.
Defending champion Mike Haack of Bellevue, Wash. sits five shots back after rounds of 71-73.
To be eligible to play in the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur, players must be 25 years of age or older by September 12, 2017 and require a USGA Handicap Index or Golf Canada Handicap Factor of 8.4 or lower to be eligible.
Opened in 1925, Bend Golf and Country Club has developed a reputation for championship conditions, and is hosting the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur for the first time. Visit www.bendgolfclub.com for more information.
