PGA Professional Ryan Benzel of Sahalee CC won the Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational. He won by one stroke over PGA Professional Shane Prante of The Home Course, PGA Professional and 2014 Champion John Cassidy of Arrowhead GC and amateur David Ganz of Gonzaga University.
Benzel has previously won four Section majors. He won the Oregon Open Invitational, Rosauers Open Invitational, PNW PGA Professional Championship and the Assistant Championship. He also has played in the PGA Championship three times and has won the PNW PGA Player of the Year three times.
The Pacific Northwest PGA is proud to have some amazing sponsors including the title sponsor of Muckleshoot Casino with Donovan Brothers, City of Kent, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka as Presenting Sponsors. Also returning as a Supporting sponsor is Oak Harbor Freight Lines, Inc., along with Haas-Jordan, Adidas and TaylorMade Golf as sponsors of this event.
History of the Championship
The Washington Open Invitational dates back to 1922. In that year, young Al Espinosa captured the crown at Yakima CC. Some big names have won this event over the years including the Zimmerman brothers, Al and Emery, along with Chuck Congdon, Al Mengert, Senior Tour Player Rick Acton and PGA Tour Player Fred Couples.
There have been some amazing champions since the event started. In 2016, Jeff Coston claimed his fifth Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Invitational title adding to his wins in 96, 99, 2001, and 2010, tying him with legend Chuck Congdon in the most Washington Open Championships of all time. Chuck Congdon held the record for the most wins (39, 47, 50, 52, and 62) while Al Mengert holds the record for the most consecutive wins (63, 64, and 65). The current tournament record is held by PGA Professional Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC (2011) and PGA Member Jeff Gove (2012).
To view past champions of the Washington Open Invitational, CLICK HERE.
Charity: Folds of Honor
The 2018 Muckleshoot Casino Washington Open Pro-Am benefits Fold of Honor. Folds of Honor is a 501 (C)(3) charitable foundation supporting scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in military service to America. This year’s Pro-Am raised a record $90,000!
Meridian Valley GC
Meridian Valley Country Club officially opened on July 1, 1967 with 9 of the 18 holes ready for play. The second nine holes and clubhouse opened to equally grand fanfare in May 1968. This exceptional 18-hole layout was designed by Ted Robinson, one of the nation’s leading golf course architects, who chose the site based on the stunning views the surrounding area provided. This was Meridian Valley CC’s twelfth time hosting the Washington Open Invitational – hosting in 1972, 1976, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. They also hosted the SAFECO Classic from 1982 through 1999.