Whitaker Victorious at PNGA Mid-Amateur
Redmond, Ore. (September 17, 2010) – Dan Whitaker of Cle Elum, Wash. shot a final round even par 72 to capture the 26th Annual PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship being held at Juniper Golf Club in Redmond, Ore. Whitaker’s 3-day total of 6-under par 210 gave him a 5-shot victory over 2006
PNGA Mid-Amateur champion Tom Brandes of Bellevue, Wash.
After finding himself struggling a bit on the front nine after shooting a 3-over 39, Whitaker went into the final nine holes with a two-shot lead over Brandes. Whitaker would then go on to birdie three of the first five holes on the back to build a five-shot cushion with only four holes to play. He would make steady pars on all of them to finish with an impressive back nine of 3-under 33.
Following his victory Whitaker said, “It feels good to win again. It’s been awhile since a victory, especially a victory on this scale. I played Juniper last year in the U.S. Amateur Qualifier and fell in love with it so I’m just really happy I was able to come back here.”
Finishing in a tie for 3rd place was Kent Brown of Colville, Wash. and Marc Rhoades of Boise, Idaho who both finished at 2-over par 218. Rounding out the top-5 was Sean Packer of Bonney Lake, Wash. with a total score of 3-over par 219.
The PNGA Mid-Amateur is Whitaker’s first PNGA championship victory. In 2007 he was one match away from earning an invitation to the 2008 Masters after his runner-up finish at the U.S. Mid-Amateur.
Amateur golfers who have reached their 25th birthday by September 15, 2010 and who have a USGA Handicap Index or RCGA Handicap Factor of 8.4 strokes or less at a PNGA member club are eligible to play in the PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship. All contestants will play 54 holes of stroke play (gross scores only).
The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) was founded on February 4, 1899. It is a 501©3 charitable, international amateur golf association dedicated to preserving the true spirit of the game of golf and promoting activities beneficial to golfers in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.The PNGA employs a full-time staff of 12, headed by a CEO/Executive Director, with offices located in Federal Way, Washington. Under the direction of the Board of Directors and in conjunction with a number of standing committees, the staff administers the day-to-day affairs of the Association. PNGA territory is broken down into five zones, which are: Zone 1 – Oregon; Zone 2 – Eastern Washington; Zone 3 – Western Washington and Alaska; Zone 4 British Columbia and Alberta; and Zone 5: Idaho and Montana. There are approximately 220,000 individuals at over 720 PNGA member golf clubs.
The original purpose of the PNGA was to conduct a regional amateur championship for men and women. For more than 110 years, the Association has been a pioneer in developing competitions and services and its mission has grown and evolved. Today, the PNGA remains committed to being a truly “regional” organization providing benefits and services to its members and member clubs throughout the Northwest.
The PNGA Men’s Mid-Amateur is one of 15, major, regional, amateur championships for men, women, juniors, and seniors conducted annually by the PNGA throughout the Northwest.
