Aspen Lakes hosts the Oregon Open

The Oregon Open is currently underway at Aspen Lakes Golf Course. Top professionals and amateurs from throughout the Pacific Northwest including Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana are competing in the three-day, 54-hole event.

The open started with a practice round on Monday, June 27. Tuesday and Wednesday 208 players were to compete for one of the 70 spots in the final championship round to be held on Thursday, June 30.

Nike Golf has returned to sponsor the event for the third time and will provide the tee prizes for every player in the championship.

Defending champion Jeff Coston is attempting to defend his title and the tournament record that he beat last year at Black Butte Ranch’s Big Meadow Golf Course. He posted a three-round score of 200, beating by two strokes the previous tournament record that Mike Gove had set in 1992.

Wayne Clark, head golf professional at Aspen Lakes told The Nugget that players will be competing for the prestigious title of the Oregon Open and also some very good prize money.

Clark was excited that players from around the Northwest would get to experience play at Aspen Lakes.

“The biggest thing for us,” said Clark, “is that hosting the Oregon Open validates our golf course. We’re still fairly new in the realm of golf courses and when people see we’re the host they know they’re playing a top quality course. The PGA always holds their events at the best facilities.”

At the end of Thursday’s round a champion will be crowned and presented with a check. The championship is open to the public and admission is free of charge. Leaders are scheduled to tee off between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 30.