Smith, Kirkham set for final match at 50th PNGA Men’s Master-40
Shelton, Wash. – Nate Smith of Tetonia, Idaho and Daniel Kirkham of Tigard, Ore. will face off in the final match of the 50th PNGA Men’s Master-40 Amateur, being held this week at Salish Cliffs Golf Club in Shelton, Wash.
Smith advanced to the finals by defeating Jeff Widdows (Yakima, Wash.) and Chris McConnell (Lewistown, Mont.) in the quarterfinal and semifinal matches, respectively. Kirkham beat Tom Herrick (Olympia, Wash) and Ryan Welborn (Spanaway, Wash.) to reach the final match.
Championship Links
Smith, No. 438 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), faced fairly stiff competition from Widdows, as the latter had the match tied after seven holes. However, Smith regained momentum, winning four of the next seven holes to eventually take a 4&3 win. Facing McConnell in the semifinal, Smith opened a 2-up lead in the match’s first two holes and got as high as 5-up over his opposition after 12. McConnell fought back and won holes 13 and 14, but Smith maintained a 3-up advantage until it clinched him the match, 3 & 2.
Smith is looking for his first PNGA title. He is a former PGA Tour Pro, and won the 2024 Idaho Men’s Amateur.
As for Kirkham, his day was plenty competitive. In his match against Herrick, Kirkham went 2-up early, but Herrick erased that deficit through the next two holes and eventually took a 1-up lead at the turn. After knotting the match again at No. 12, the two players tied the next six holes, taking the match to extra holes. Kirkham birdied the 19th hole to advance. In the afternoon, Kirkham found himself 2-down early to Welborn, but the match was eventually tied after 11. The two players then alternated wins of each of the next four holes, leaving the match still tied until Kirkham put it away by taking holes 17 and 18, winning 2-up.
Kirkham will also be in search of his first PNGA title.
The final match, to be contest over 18 holes, will tee off at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8.
To be eligible for the championship, contestants must have been 40 years of age or older by August 4, 2025. Competitors must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index or Golf Canada Handicap Factor not exceeding 8.4 at the time of entry and must be a member in good standing of a PNGA Member Association.
The Pacific Northwest Men’s Master-40 Amateur is one of 11 major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.
