June 26, 2008

MOSES LAKE, Wash. - Gonzaga University junior Derek Cheney shot a second-round 2-under par 70 Wednesday to move into a tie for 26th in the 82nd Washington State Golf Association Men's Amateur Championship at The Links at Moses Pointe.

The native of Richland is tied for 26th after making the cut with a 149 following Tuesday's opening round 79.

Jarin Todd, of Woodinville finished with four consecutive birdies on his way to firing a 6-under par 66 Wednesday. Coupled with his first round 67, his two-day total of 11-under par 133 gives Todd a four-stroke lead going into Thursday's third round. Todd was this year's NCAA Division II Player of the Year while playing for Sonoma State.

Only seven players have finished the first two rounds under par on the 7,276-yard par 72 layout. Four shots behind Todd is Derek Berg, of Duvall. Berg fired the best round of the championship so far, an 8-under par 64. Berg, who recently finished second in the Washington Open after losing in a playoff, was even-par for the day after his first five holes, but then went 8-under over his remaining 13 holes.

First round leader Richard Lee of Covington followed his 66 with a 74 and is tied for fourth. The shot of the day belonged to Nick Ellis, of East Wenatchee who holed his 3-wood from the fairway on the 561-yard par-5 11th hole for a double-eagle two. Ellis sits alone in third place, six shots behind Todd. Defending champion Joel Dahmen, of Clarkston is tied for 17th.

After Wednesday's round the field was cut to the low 60 players and ties, which will play the final two rounds of the championship.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Fred Couple winning the WSGA Men's Amateur Championship. Couples won this championship in 1978 at Olympia Country and Golf Club. A native of Seattle, Couples has become one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour. Couples' record as a professional includes over a dozen victories, including the 1992 Masters.

The Men's Amateur is one of six state championships conducted annually by the WSGA. Other championships include the WSGA Men's Best-Ball, WSGA Women's Best-Ball, WSGA Men's Amateur, WSGA Member Club Team Championship and WSGA Senior Men's Amateur.