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Warkentin and Yi Set to Play in Final of 60th PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship

Sam Warkentin of Bainbridge Island, Wash. and Sean Yi of Auburn, Wash. will face-off in the Final match of the 60th Pacific Northwest Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship. The 36-hole Final will be contested at Emerald Valley Golf and Resort in Creswell, Ore. The match will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the second 18 holes beginning at 12:00 p.m. `

Warkentin, who posted scores of three-over-par 75, and even-par 72 entered the match play rounds as the No. 9 seed. He faced Medalist and No. 1 overall seed John Sand of Hoquiam, Wash. in the Quarterfinals this morning, winning in 19 holes. Sand took an early three-up lead on Warkentin, who battled back to level the match when the two made the turn. Warkentin made par on the 18th hole to send the match to sudden death. He made birdie on the first playoff hole to dispatch the Medalist and advance to the Semifinals in the afternoon.

Warkentin found himself up against Riley Elmes of Lake Oswego, Ore. in the afternoon’s Semifinals. Elmes lit up the front nine, but Warkentin kept him in sight, turning at just one down. Warkentin found himself heading to extra holes for the second time in one day, but earned his place in Friday’s Final Match after Elmes missed a short par putt on the 20th hole.

Sean Yi defeated Matt Marrese of Bellevue, Wash. in the Quarterfinals on Thursday morning. He won holes 17 and 18 to come back from dormie.

Yi was matched against Brett Pasula of Red Deer, Albert in the second Semifinal Match. With the match heading to the 18th hole All Square, Sean Yi looked to be in trouble. Pasula was within tap-in distance for birdie, and he was looking at about a 40-foot putt to stay alive. Yi sunk the birdie attempt to send the match to sudden death, and made another lengthy birdie putt on the 19th hole to clinch the second spot in Final Match.

This championship is being conducted by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA). This is one of 16 regional championships conducted annually by the PNGA.