Paul Mitzel and Rachel Lewis Win Washington Mixed Chapman
Gig Harbor, Wash. – The team of Paul Mitzel and Rachel Lewis, both of Gig Harbor, Wash., combined to shoot 6-under-par 66 to win the 4th annual Washington Mixed Chapman Championship.
The 18-hole championship, which consisted of a full field of 48 sides, was held at Canterwood Golf and Country Club in Gig Harbor, Wash., and conducted by Washington Golf.
Championship Links:
Mitzel and Lewis had stumbled to start their round, and were 1-over-par after five holes. But they combined for seven birdies over the next 13 holes, including a birdie on the par-5 18th to cap off the round. Their final score of 6-under 66 sets the all-time championship record.
Finishing second, seven shots back, was the team of Andrew Herzog and Kim Titus of Fox Island, Wash. Herzog and Titus were the defending champions, having won last year. They also won this title in 2018.
The team of Buddy Peltier of Bothell and Susan Craven of Snohomish, who won this title in 2019, finished tied for fifth this year.
“This feels really good,” Lewis said. “I’ve never had a trophy like this before, so this feels awesome.”
Mitzel explained that Lewis did all the work today. “I’m lucky that I had such a great partner today. She was awesome to play with. She’s the better putter out there. She made my job easy.”
The Chapman format fit them well. “It’s actually perfect for us,” Lewis said. “I hit my drives really well, and Paul hits his approaches well. And then I putted well. It really worked for what our strengths are.”
Lewis grew up at Canterwood, and her parents still live just off the third green. “I’ve probably played this course more times than any other course,” she said.
Click here to watch their post-round interview.
Winning the Net division is Justin and Sarah Wisness of Puyallup, Wash., who combined for a 12-under 60.
The championship was open to sides of amateur golfers who have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index issued by a WA Golf member club not exceeding 36.4 for males and 40.4 for females, and are members in good standing of a WA Golf member club. Each side must have one male player and one female player. There is no age requirement or limit, and teams are divided into flights based on course handicap.
The championship was played in a Chapman stroke play format, with two players playing as partners, each playing from the teeing ground and each player playing his or her partner’s ball for the second shot. After the second shot, including par-3 holes, partners select the ball with which they wish to score and then play that ball alternately to complete the hole.