Northwest Open/2008

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Rob Clark captures Windermere Northwest Open Invitational

By Molly Cooper

What a tournament! The Windermere Northwest Open Invitational, one of the Pacific Northwest Section PGA’s most historical events was a blast this year at the beautiful and challenging Meadow Springs CC. In one of the most historic finishes of this championship, Rob Clark, from Wenatchee G&CC, made history after overcoming a herd of strong players to have his name engraved on the 104th Northwest Open trophy.

Scott Erdmann of Oswego Lake CC went low in the first round after firing a seven under par 65. He took a one stroke lead over defending champion Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC who just the week prior had won his third consecutive PNW Senior PGA Championship.

The second round had a change of players at the top of the leaderboard with Pat Howard of Overlake G&CC taking a one stroke lead over Ryan Malby of Village Greens GC after posting rounds of 67-68-135. Adrian Burtner of Columbia Edgewater finished off this three some two strokes back. With a mass of players within strokes of the leaders, the title of Northwest Open Champion was still anyone’s game.

The 18th hole leaderboard kept our volunteers busy as they kept having to change the names on the top of the scoreboard. At one point it looked like there might be a five person playoff at ten under par. Rob Clark finished first at 206, while he watched anxiously as three players came in down the stretch making a final hole bogey to barely miss out on joining him at ten under. Pat Howard went into the last hole at 11 under after he pitched in for eagle on the 16th hole. After firing his drive into the fairway bunker, he hit over the green in regulation where he failed to get his ball up and down.

The difficult 18th hole became the first hole of the playoff between Clark and Howard. After poor drives from both players, they finished the hole with a tie to advance to the par 5, 555 yard tenth hole. With a strong drive and amazing second shot just short of the green in two, Clark made history by becoming champion of the 104th Windermere Northwest Open Invitational.

Congratulations to Colin Floyd of Manito G&CC for his amazing double eagle during the first round of the championship after dunking his second shot on the tenth hole.

This was an incredibly fun event to run with sunny, 90 temperatures. We had several outstanding sponsors including: Windermere, Cutter & Buck, Sterling Savings Bank, Northwest Cable News, Tri-City Herald, Global Credit Union, Hendler Golf, Lourdes Health Network, Terra Blanca and CH2M Hill. We would also like to thank Head PGA Professional Chris Peterson, Superintendent Mark Dalton, Volunteer Chairman Bob Black, his army of volunteers and all the Meadow Springs CC’s staff for a great tournament.