The 57th Washington State Men’s Best-Ball Championship got under way today at Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent. Gino Bonnalie and Brian King both of Lewiston, Idaho jumped out to a fast start making 7 birdies and no bogeys to post 7-under par 65 on their opening round to tie the team of Chris Bae of Issaquah and Craig Larson of Tacoma who made 5 birdies and an eagle 3 on the par 5, 18th hole by Larson.

The race for the Men’s title, however, is far from over as several teams sit within striking distance after the first round. Tyler Matthews of Redmond and Matthew Steele of Bellevue sit a few shots back of the leaders at 4-under par 68. Tee times for tomorrow’s final round of the Men’s Best-Ball Championship start at 12:30 p.m. with the leaders teeing off at 2:10 p.m.

Bae and Larson are also tied for the lead of the net portion of the Men’s Championship with the team of Jess Beyers of Lake Forrest Park and John Martin of Seattle who both posted a 8-under a net 64.

In the 20th Washington State Senior Men’s Best-Ball Championship the leaderboard is considerably tighter at the top. 8 teams are within 2 strokes of the lead, held by 2009 WSGA Men’s Best-Ball Champions, Chris DeGrazia of Lynnwood and Mike Hickok of Kirkland and the team of Jeff Howell of Woodenville and Dan Thacker of Woodway who are both tied at 4-under par 68.

Howell and Thacker lead the net portion of the Senior Men’s Championship at 9-under par 63. The final round of the Senior Men’s Championship commences tomorrow morning, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the leaders teeing off at 9:10 a.m.