Thursday, Sep. 18, 2008

Wenatchee pro Clark wins NW Open Invite

By the Herald staff

Rob Clark of Wenatchee Golf & Country Club defeated Pat Howard of Overlake in a two-hole playoff Wednesday to win the Northwest Open Invitational golf tournament at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland.

"I think they say it's the oldest tournament in (the PGA) section," said Clark, who spent some time on the Asian Tour in the 1990s before becoming a club professional in 1996. "It's great having my name on the trophy. There are a lot of big names on it."

Clark started the final round in a four-man group three strokes behind Howard.

But he fired a final-round 68 to give him a three-round total of 206.

Howard, a 1999 Richland graduate who grew up on the Meadow Springs course, shot a 1-under 71 to also finish at 206.

"I got off to a good start today," said Clark. "I birdied 1, 3 and 4. I made the turn at 2-under and I felt I was exactly where I needed to be."

Clark followed up with birdies on 12, 15 and 16.

"I two-putted for a par on 18, and Pat was one shot ahead of me going into the last hole," said Clark, who prior to the tournament had played Meadow Springs just twice. "It's a shot-maker's golf course. The rough was up. For the most part, it was such a price for being in the fairway."

In the sudden-death playoff, the two played No. 18, and both carded double bogeys. So they moved to No. 10, and Clark earned a par to win the tournament.

For Howard, 28, the finish was disappointing, but overall he was satisfied.

"It's a big tournament, a good field," he said. "It was a lot of fun playing in it. I'm very happy the way I played, just not the way I finished."

Defending champion Jeff Coston of Semiahmoo started the day five strokes back of Howard. His 67 helped him tie for third at 207 -- along with Ryan Malby of Village Greens and Jason Aichele of Meadow Springs.

Brady Sharp of Walla Walla Country Club tied for eighth at 210.

Alex Stamey of Everett Golf & Country Club won low amateur honors with his tie for 11th place at 211.