DuPont, Wash. – Tom Brandes of Bellevue and Paul Mitzel of Quincy both shot 5-under 67 in today’s opening round of the 13th Washington Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, and are tied at the top of a crowded leaderboard.

The 36-hole stroke-play championship is being held at The Home Course in DuPont, Wash.

Of the full field of 120, there were 18 competitors who shot even-par or better on the par-72 layout, and are all within five shots of the lead heading into tomorrow’s final round.

Final round pairings and tee times can be found here.

Click here for full details on the championship.

Click here to follow along with live scoring.

Brandes, who was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame in 2015, is trying for this third title in this championship, having won it in 2012 and 2015. Earlier this year he had won the Washington Senior Men’s Champion of Champions, also held at The Home Course.

Mitzel is trying for his first individual state title. He has won the 2021 Washington Mixed Chapman and the 2022 Washington Men’s Four-Ball, both with other playing partners.

To be eligible for this championship, contestants must be 25 years of age or older by July 20, 2022. Competitors must have an active GHIN number and USGA Handicap Index issued by a WA Golf member club not exceeding 9.9 at the time of entry.