Wilms Wins PNGA Senior Men’s Amateur

William Wilms, a 63-year-old from Delta, B.C., put together three solid rounds on two of Whistler’s toughest golf courses to be victorious in the 42nd PNGA Senior Men’s Amateur Championship. The venues were the 6,039-yard, par-72 Big Sky G&CC in Pemberton for the Open Division, and the 6,421-yard, par-71 Nicklaus North in Whistler for the Grand Division.

Although Wilms was the most consistent player of the week, he was challenged by several in the final round as low scores were posted at Nicklaus North. Wilms, who carded two consecutive rounds of 75, was forced into a playoff after making bogey on the last hole. Jerry Knudson of Eugene, Ore., came from behind by carding an even-par 71, tying Wilms and forcing the playoff. Both players finished at 8-over 223.

The sudden-death playoff between Knudson and Wilms didn’t last long as Wilms, a member at Beach Grove GC in Delta B.C., hit a down-the-middle drive on the first hole, a 355-yard par-4. His wedge shot stopped 6 feet from the hole, where he made his putt for the winning birdie.

Ed Bartlett of Meridian, Ida., won the Open Division after carding a 77 on Big Sky. Bartlett won the Open Division by five strokes. Bartlett, a member of Banbury GC in Meridian strolled home after forging a four-stroke lead going into the final round.

The Pacific Northwest Senior Men’s Amateur Championship is a 54-hole stroke play event conducted in two championship divisions, Open Division and Grand Division. Contestants competed for overall gross and net prizes in each division. The Grand Division is an individual competition and is focused on identifying the best senior amateur in the Northwest and played from a longer yardage. The Open Division is an individual and team competition played from a shorter yardage. The team competition is four-ball stroke play.

The Senior Amateur is one of 15 regional championships conducted annually by the PNGA. For more information about the PNGA and the Senior Amateur, visit www.thepnga.org.