Hatley claims Washington Amateur in playoff

PULLMAN — Reid Hatley of Hayden Lake defeated John Sand of Hoquaim, Wash. in a playoff to win the 93rd Washington State Men’s Amateur Championship, held this week on the par-70 Palouse Ridge Golf Club.

On the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, Hatley made an 80-foot eagle putt from off the green that hit the flagstick before dropping into the hole and giving him the victory.

Hatley had begun today’s final round in fifth place, three shots behind Sand, but immediately forced himself into the hunt with two quick birdies on holes three and six, and then three birdies in row, on holes 10, 11 and 12.

Hatley, 38, was named the WSGA Men’s Mid-Amateur Player of the Year the past four years. Earlier this summer he won the Oregon Open Invitational, playing against the region’s PGA professionals. Hatley has twice won the Washington State Mid-Amateur Championship, in 2016 and 2018.

Sand began today’s final round at the top of the leaderboard, with a three-shot lead over Hatley. Sand birdied the par-5 18th to force the playoff with Hatley.

Sand will be a junior in the fall on the University of Denver’s men’s golf team. He was a four-time 1A league Most Valuable Player while playing for the Hoquiam High’s boys golf team.

“I love being in contention with 9-holes to play, that’s always my goal,” Hatley said. “I just kinda stayed patient, missed a few short ones coming down, but made a really good birdie on 17 to give myself a one-shot lead. I knew with 18 being a par-5 and these guys’ lengths, I was probably gonna be in a playoff.”

“Anytime you can compete against the best players in the area and come out on top, that’s an accomplishment in itself.”