June 25, 2009

SPOKANE, Wash. - A trio of Gonzaga University men's golfers are playing in state tournaments this week.

Derek Cheney and Francis Santiago are competing at the 83rd Washington State Golf Association Men's Amateur Championship at Palouse Ridge Golf Course in Pullman, while Kyle Huss is competing at the Nebraska Golf Association Match Play Championship in Bellevue, Neb.

Cheney, a native of Richland, and Santiago, who hails from Lynnwood, have both made the cut for the final two rounds with the final 18 holes slated for Friday. Cheney, who will be a senior this fall for the Bulldogs, is tied for 16th at 4-over par 220, trailing leader Derek Berg who is 6-under par 210 over the 7,274-yard, par 72 layout. Santiago, who will be a junior, is tied for 61st at +18 234.

Huus, from Sidney who will be a junior at Gonzaga, shot a 75 in stroke play qualifying and won his first match-play competition Thursday, defeating Nick Vondrak of Omaha 2 and 1 at Willow Lakes Golf Course. He will play David Easley of Lincoln Friday. Willow Lakes is playing 6,817 yards to par 72.