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Bayley ties for 20th at Colorado Open

On a weekend where there was no event on the Mackenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada), Derek Bayley of Rathdrum tied for 20th at the 55th CoBank Colorado Open at Green Valley Ranch in Denver.

Bayley, the former Lakeland High and Washington State standout, shot an 11-under 277 (71-69-69-68) and pocketed $1,707.

Sam Saunders of Albuquerque, N.M., shot 24-under 264 to win by four strokes and earned $100,000.

The Mackenzie Tour returns this week with the 1932byBateman Open in Edmonton, Alberta. Bayley is exempt from qualifying for the remainder of this year’s tour, which consists of five events and concludes with the Canada Life Championship Sept. 12-15 in London, Ontario.

Whitworth softball coach Brown hired at Idaho State

Cristal Brown, who led the Whitworth softball team to three consecutive Northwest Conference titles from 2015-2017, has been hired as head coach at Idaho State.

Brown leaves Whitworth after compiling a record of 221-124 in eight seasons guiding the Pirates.

“I have loved being a Pirate and think Whitworth is truly a special place,” Brown said. “I am extremely grateful for the relationships that have been established during my eight seasons, and can’t say enough about how privileged I feel to have had the opportunity to coach the wonderful young women who have come through the program during my time here. Bucball will always have a very special place in my heart.”

Brown led Whitworth to the first regular season conference title in the school’s history in 2015, and then claimed two more championships in 2016 and 2017. The Pirates made their second and third NCAA Division III tournament appearances following the 2016 and 2017 seasons and Whitworth won its first NWC tournament in 2017.

The Pirates finished 31-11 overall and 23-5 in the NWC in 2019, just missing another post-season berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Idaho State reached out to Brown to replace Candi Letts, who departed following a 20-27 season in 2019.

Whitworth athletic director Tim Demant, said Whitworth will immediately begin the process of searching for Brown’s replacement.