Oregon Open offers last-minute thrills

The Oregon Open at Aspen Lakes Golf Course was a thrilling ride up to the last minute last week.

The winner was not decided until a sudden death playoff after 54-hole stroke play ended in a tie between Corey Prugh/Manito G&CC and Birk Nelson/Diamond Woods, with scores of 211.

Prugh three-putted the Par 5 18th to allow Nelson to tie the score and force the playoff for the $4,000 first prize.

The par four 378-yard first hole was used for the playoff and Nelson returned the favor with a three-putt of his own to give Prugh the title.

Prugh chipped close and sunk the putt for his winning par.

Nelson collected $3,200 for second place.

A field of 192 golfers from Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Montana participated in the three-day tournament. Half are professionals and half are amateurs.

The first two days of the competition featured best ball competitions with teams composed of two pros and two amateurs. The field was cut to 70 on Thursday, with stroke play from the first day continuing.

The Aspen Lakes team included head pro Derek Johnson who did not make the cut and new PGA professional Christian Green who finished in a tie for 56th with a score of 225, and won $350 (see story, page 5).

The two amateurs on the Aspen Lakes team were not eligible for cash prizes but received merchandise credit.

David Green finished in a tie for 25th with a score of 219 and received $316.67 in merchandise. Michael Reeve, a 2008 Sisters High School grad, finished in a tie for 35th with a score of 221 and received $142.50 in credit.

Johnson said the four wanted to play together, but needed two professionals and two amateurs to qualify. Christian completed the taxing PGA eligibility requirements in two weeks, a process that can take months or even years.

Applicants must play 36 holes of golf in one day and shoot 78 and 78. Christian had 74 and 70. The 74 included a nine on one hole. The problem was he needed three tries to get over some trees, with one lost ball and one out-of-bounds before success.

A more difficult issue for him was a test on the sometimes obscure rules of golf that took him three times to pass. He now must serve a work apprenticeship before becoming a full-fledged PGA professional.

For complete results visit http://www.pnwpga.com.