Austin Hurt Wins WSGA Men’s Amateur Championship in Record Setting Form
Pullman, Wash. (June 26, 2009) – Washington State University golfer, Austin Hurt of Bainbridge Island, Wash., shot a new course record to win the 83rd Washington State Men’s Amateur Championship. Hurt was 9 strokes behind the leader to start the day, and put together the best round ever shot at Palouse Ridge Golf Club, a 7-under par 65 to win.
Hurt capped off his front side with an impressive chip-in eagle on the par 5, 9th hole, to shoot a 4-under par 32. “That’s when I knew I was in the hunt for the title” Hurt would say after his round about his eagle. He kept things rolling on the back nine, making three birdies more birdies to bring his four day championship total to 4-under par 284. After Tuesday’s first round Hurt was a mere afterthought and in danger of missing the cut after a 9-over par 81. He was able to keep himself in the mix with consecutive 3-under par 69’s before his incredible course record 65 today.
The leader heading into the final round, Derek Berg of Kenmore, Wash., missed his eagle try on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Hurt. Berg was 6-under par to start the day but struggled throughout his round shooting a 3-over par 75 to finish in a tie for second place with Walla Walla High School star, Drew Reinland of College Place, Wash.
Reinland started the day at 5-under par, but couldn’t quite hold on to win. Reinland also had a putt to tie Hurt at 4-under par on the 72nd hole, but missed on the low side to shoot a 2-over par 74. Both Berg and Reinland would finish with four day totals of 3-under par 285.