Bellinghamgolfer.com

 

A couple of weeks after his impressive win at the Washington Open Invitational, Jeff Coston, the PGA instructor at Semiahmoo in Blaine, teed it up at the Senior PGA Championship at Colorado GC in Parker, CO recording a first round three-over-par 75 which, considering the strength of the wind, not to mention the challenge of the course, was really a fine effort. Tied for 57th, the 54-year-old, who has won 18 major PNW section events, looked good for the weekend. But he had a hard time Friday, in similarly tricky conditions, shooting an 82 and eventually missing the cut by six strokes.
I had the good fortune to be a guest at the fantastic Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore-designed Colorado GC last summer and understand perfectly where this week's high scores are coming from. It was hard enough in glorious sunshine and no wind, so it's no surprise the 7,604-yard ('they' say the ball goes 10% further at altitude, but that's never happened for me) course was something of a beast on Thursday and Friday when the wind blew hard and the average score was well over 75 both days.
It's left to Fred Couples to win the title for Washington State. Fred had the lead after two rounds shooting 69, 68. But a 75 Saturday sent him back into a tie for third, two behind Jay Don Blake and Tom Lehman.