Walla Walla, Wash. (Saturday, August 7, 2010) – The Inaugural WSGA Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship concluded today at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Wash. Mike Haack, a 31 year old from Bellevue, Wash. followed up an opening round of 3-under par 69 with a 2-under par 70 today for a 36-hole total of 5-under par 139 and a two stroke victory. Haack began the day one stroke back of first round leader, Sean Packer of Lake Tapps, Wash. but his steady play with birdies on holes 2, 7, 12, and 15 with just two bogeys on holes 3 and 11 were enough to prevail. Packer shot a final round of 1-over par 73, placing him at 3-under par 141 and in a tie for runner-up with Erik Hanson of Kirkland, Wash. who fired rounds of 71 and 70. The only two other players to finish under par were Bob Burton of Everett, Wash. and Jim Pliska of Gresham, Ore. who finished at 2-under par 143.
In the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Lisa Smego of Olympia, Wash. came from 2-strokes behind at the beginning of the round and finished it with a very impressive 11 stroke victory. Smego who is just coming back to competitive golf after a back surgery did not even expect to be playing golf yet, let alone winning championships. She followed her opening round of 7-over par 79 with a tournament best of 2-over par 74 in very tough windy conditions for a 36-hole total of 9-over 153. Finishing in a tie for runner-up was first round leader, Denise Kieffer of University Place, Wash. and Sun Douthit of Steilacoom, Wash. Kieffer shot rounds of 77-87 while Douthit shot rounds of 82-82 both for 20-over par 164’s.
The championship field featured 95 of Washington’s best Mid-Amateur men and 15 mid-amateur women competing for their respective titles over 36 holes. To be eligible, players must belong to a WSGA Member Club, be at least 25 years of age or older, and carry a 16.4 handicap index or less for men and 24.4 or less for women.
