KENT, WA – Meridian Valley CC – 6,673 Yards, Par 72, 163 PGA Professionals and Amateurs. $67,655 Purse
PGA Professional Chris Griffin of Tacoma C&GC won the Sterling Bank Washington Open Invitational and first place check of $6,000 after posting a final round 68 today at Meridian Valley CC. He won by two strokes over amateur Erik Hanson of Sahalee CC.
In third place was PGA Professional Mike Roters of Gateway Golf and PGA Professional Matt Cowell of Lake Padden GC finished in a tie for third place. 2007 and 2011 champion PGA Professional Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC finished in fifth.
Meridian Valley Country Club officially opened on July 1, 1967 with 9 of the 18 holes ready for play. The second nine holes and clubhouse opened to equally grand fanfare in May 1968. This exceptional 18-hole layout was designed by Ted Robinson, one of the nation’s leading golf course architects, who chose the site based on the stunning views the surrounding area provided.
Meridian Valley CC has hosted the 1972, 1976, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2009 Sterling Bank Washington Open Invitational, as well as the SAFECO Classic from 1982 until 1999. MVCC has grown into one of the Northwest’s most respected golf courses to the credit of the founding members who successfully achieved their goal to develop a first-class golf club.
The Sterling Bank Washington Open Invitational and the Drive Fore the Cure Northwest Pro-Am benefits Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Prostate Cancer research. The event raised $60,000. For more information, please visit www.dftcnw.org.
The Sterling Bank Washington Open Invitational dates back to 1922. In that year, young Al Espinosa captured the crown at Yakima CC. Some big names have won this event over the years including the Zimmerman brothers, Al and Emery, along with Chuck Congdon, Al Mengert, Senior Tour Player Rick Acton and PGA Tour Player Fred Couples.
There have been some amazing champions since the event started. Chuck Congdon holds the record for the most wins (39, 47, 50, 52, and 62) while Al Mengert holds the record for the most consecutive wins (63, 64, and 65). The current tournament record is held by PGA Professional Tim Feenstra of Broadmoor GC (2011) and PGA Member Jeff Gove (2012).
To view past champions of the Sterling Bank Washington Open Invitational, CLICK HERE.