Bayley gets it done

PULLMAN — It had already been a pretty good week for Rathdrum native and Washington State alum Derek Bayley.

On Sunday, he rallied to win his second Rosauers Open Invitational at Indian Canyon in Spokane.

Wednesday, back in the familiar surroundings of Palouse Ridge Golf Club — the Cougars home course — Bayley took another big step on the golf course.

Bayley shot a 6-under-par 138 to win the 36-hole WSGA U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifer, advancing to the U.S. Amateur Championship Aug. 13-19 in Pebble Beach, Calif.

“It’s a really good feeling,” Bayley said. “I can’t count how many times that I’ve tried to qualify (for the U.S. Amateur).

To get it done today, it feels great. Especially being my last time and to get to go to Pebble Beach, you kind of dream about it. It’s going to take a while to sink in.”

Bayley shot a 5-under-par 66 on the final day at the Rosauers. Bayley blistered the morning round, firing 11 birdies and making only four pars on his way to an 8-under 64.

“I don’t know if it’s the best golf I’ve played, but it’s the most consistent,” said Bayley of his back-to-back wins. “I’m probably playing the most consistent golf I’ve played, and just am continuing to get better each day.”

Bayley shot a 74 in the second round, beating Chris Hatch of Mukilteo, Wash.., by one stroke for the championship. Hatch also qualified for the U.S. Amateur.

Bayley added the winds, which reached 15 to 20 miles per hour at times, played a factor.

“The wind is maybe why some of the scores were so high,” Bayley said. “Spending four years here really helped. Playing here hundreds of times, it helps to know the course really well. But you’ve still got to go out and do it and get the job done. And I did it.”

Coeur d’Alene’s Chase Mitchell finished seven shots back with a 71-74—145, as did Hayden Lake’s Reid Hatley (74-71—145).