Thursday Apr 19 2012 4:46 PM
This spring's annual Puget Sound Amateur, one of the top golf championships in the Northwest, will span two days over two of Pierce County's most popular public courses.
The 47th Annual Puget Sound Amateur will take place May 19-20 at Lake Spanaway Golf Course and Chambers Bay.
Players will compete in a 36-hole stroke play format for $15,000 in prizes and the title of 2012 Puget Sound Amateur Champion. Registration is $175, and the deadline is May 14. Space is limited to the first 156 paid entries. Registration forms are available on both golf courses' websites: www.lakespanawaygc.com and www.chambersbaygolf.com.
The first day's rounds will take place at Lake Spanaway Golf Course, the traditional home of the Puget Sound Amateur. The second day will be played at Chambers Bay, which hosted the 2010 U.S. Amateur and is preparing for the 2015 U.S. Open. Both courses are owned by Pierce County and offer unique and challenging championship conditions.
The championship attracts competitive golfers from across the Pacific Northwest. Derek Barron of Puyallup won consecutive championships in 2010 and 2011 and is working to join 2005 winner Kyle Stanley and 2001 winner Ryan Moore on the PGA Tour.
"This championship offers the opportunity to test yourself against the best golfers in the region," said Mike Fosnick, the new general manager of Lake Spanaway Golf Course and coach of the women's golf team at Pacific Lutheran University. "Pairing Lake Spanaway and Chambers Bay in one tournament gives competitive golfers an experience like no other in the area. I'm excited to see who can adapt their game to the courses' different layouts."
Lake Spanaway Golf Course is located in Spanaway at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Military Road. It offers players a 6,992-yard layout with traditional Pacific Northwest scenery.
"Lake Spanaway epitomizes Pacific Northwest golf - large greens with subtle breaks, lush greenery and tall firs. It challenges players of all ages and skill sets," said Tony Bubenas, Pierce County Parks and Recreation golf supervisor at Lake Spanaway.
Chambers Bay is located on the shores of Puget Sound in University Place. The 7,585-yard Scottish links layout features windswept dunes, undulating greens, native fescue grass and just one iconic tree.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Tony Bubenas, Pierce County Parks and Recreation golf supervisor(253) 798-4012tbubena@co.pierce.wa.us
Mike Fosnick, Lake Spanaway Golf Course general manager(253) 531-3660mfosnick@premiergc.com