Senior Oregon Open/2020
Coston Wins Senior Oregon Open Invitational
by Molly Cooper, PGA Certified Professional
PGA Professional Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo G&CC emerged victorious after rounds at both The Golf Course at Birch Creek and Wildhorse Resort to capture his eighth Senior Oregon Open Invitational Championship and fourth consecutive win.
“Four consecutive wins is wonderful and eight overall in this wonderful event feels gratifying for sure!” Coston said of his victory. “Senior Player of the Year is always one of my many goals that I have written on my ‘Dream Board.’”
For the 18th year in a row, Wildhorse Resort & Casino located in beautiful Pendleton, Oregon hosted the Senior Oregon Open. This year due to COVID, the event was moved back from the normal dates in late July to a two-day event that showcased players aged 50 years or older from all over the Pacific Northwest competing both in individual and team competitions. We played two golf courses this year, Wildhorse Resort and the recently purchased and improved The Golf Course at Birch Creek.
“I decided to embrace all adjustments. That was fun and key!” Coston said of the unique event. Another new feature, due to the date change, was the weather.
“The wind in round two was amazing and challenging to say the least!” Coston noted. “It made me stand up and be accounted for. For that I am grateful. I learned and re-learned much about myself and a proper mindset. I’m gonna get this game YET!”
Each four-player team included one PGA Professional and three amateurs. There was team competitions as well as individual competitions.
The winners of the team competition were the team led by PGA Professional Scott Larsen and amateurs Brad Karns, Gary Graybeal and Bill Boggs.
Brad Karns of Columbia Edgewater CC took home low amateur honors while Bob Christensen of Coeur d’Alene Resort GC won the amateur net competition. PGA Professional Steve Prugh and Joe Peccia tied to win the super senior competition.
Coston said it best when he remarked, “The golf courses were in wonderful condition and a pleasure to play. Wildhorse did an amazing job for safety during COVID. Thank you! I look forward to 2021, a regular schedule and 54 hole events!”
We would like to thank Wildhorse Resort & Casino and The Golf Course at Birch Creek for their continued support of our championship. Special thanks go to PGA Director of Golf Professional Mike Hegarty and his golf operations staff along with Superintendent Phil Lagao and his grounds crew. We look forward to returning to Wildhorse Resort & Casino in 2021!
Final results:https://2020secsroregonopen.golfgenius.com