Hagen sets pace at Washington men's amateur

PULLMAN — Eric Hagen of Olympia shot 5-under 65 today to take the first-round lead at the 93rd Washington State Men’s Amateur Championship, being held this week at the par-70 Palouse Ridge Golf Club.

Hagen, who is heading into his senior year playing on the men’s golf team at Denver, had five birdies in his bogey-free opening round.

Hagen leads a crowded leaderboard, with five players tied for second place, two shots back of Hagen. Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake, Jared Beals (Enumclaw), John Sand, (Hoquiam), Padraic Sim (Seattle), Nick Mandell (Kennewick) all shot 3-under 67.

Only 12 competitors in the 120-player field broke par on the 7,171-yard Palouse Ridge, which is the home course for the Washington State men’s and women’s golf teams.

The championship consists of 54 holes of stroke play, with the field cut to the low 60 players and ties after 36 holes. The initial field of 120 players was filled with 29 players exempted into the championship, with the other 91 players in the field entering through one of four qualifiers held throughout WSGA territory.

The three-day championship is being conducted by the Washington State Golf Association.