Matt Rawitzer (right) is tied for second after the first round of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) Men's Amateur Championship at Tetherow GC in Bend, OR. The Bellingham native, who has transfered from the University of Idaho to Oregon State University, shot a three-under 69 on the 7,234-yard David McLay Kidd design, and was one of just six players to break par on the firm and fast layout. He finished the day one shot behind the University of Washington's Chris Williams who won last week's Sahalee Players Championship, three weeks after playing in the US Open.
Rawitzer began his round at the 10th and was two-under through his first seven holes with birdies at the 11th and 13th. He bogeyed the Par 3 17th, but rebounded by birdieing the 588-yard 18th to turn in 34. He then birdied the 1st and 2nd to go to four-under, but bogyed the Par 3 7th to fall back to three-under. He shares second place with fellow Beaver Nick Sherwood.
Bellingham's two other golfers in the field, James Hiester and Morgan McGowan did not fare quite so well. Hiester, now a freshman at Rice University, is tied for 115th after an 84, while McGowan is tied for 139th on 89. WWU's Dylan Goodwin and Sandy Vaughan are tied for 46th after 77s, and Sam Ayotte is tied for 71st following a 79.
After 36 holes of strokeplay, the top 64 advance to matchplay.
Scores here.
Rawitzer's scorecard here.
Blog 139, 7/11/11 - Rawitzer Tied for Second in Bend
