PNW Assistant Championship/2020
Prante Wins National Car Rental PNW Assistant PGA Professional Championship
by Molly Cooper, PGA Certified Professional
PGA Assistants and PGA Associates battled in the National Car Rental PNW Assistant PGA Professional Championship supported by Srixon, Cleveland, XXIO, ASICS, John Deere and the PGA Tour at Bear Creek CC, with the hopes of representing the Pacific Northwest Section in Florida in November. Shane Prante of The Home Course captured the title of PNW PGA Assistant Champion by two strokes over Brady Sharp of Wine Valley GC (who recently won the Oregon Open Invitational) and Colin Inglis of Shadow Hills CC (who recently won the Washington Open Invitational).
With the win, Prante earned a spot to the 44th PGA Assistant Championship, which will be held November 12-15 at the PGA Golf Club, Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, FL and will be joined by Sharp and Inglis.
With only three spots up for grabs, the field knew that a well-executed 36 holes of golf would be needed to see their name atop the leaderboard and earn a coveted spot to Florida in November. The morning round started at 7:30 with tee times. Brady Sharp took an early lead after posting a 2-under par 70. With many PGA Assistants and PGA Associates within shots of the early leaders, the championship and the spots to advance were still up for grabs.
After a short lunch break and tee times starting again at 12:30, the players headed out for the second and final round in the perfect weather.
After the conclusion of the 36-hole event, Prante captured the title. He previously has won the Northwest Open Invitational in 2013, 2017 and 2018 and the Washington Open Invitational in 2019.
“I am excited to have a chance to represent the PNW PGA and do my best to have a high finish in Florida,” said Prante.
Comparing his latest victory to his other section wins, Prante said, “It feels a little different than a normal major in the section. I think I enjoy the day-to-day grind of a major win a little more than a one-day marathon, but anytime you can qualify for a national event that is a great feeling.”
“The full day of playing requires patience and some mental discipline, being that it's such a long day, and there are ups and downs that need to be dealt with if you want to score well overall,” he added.
Bear Creek CC’s tight, tree-lined fairways also appeared to pair well with Prante’s game.
“I think, for me, it really creates defined shots and shapes,” explained Prante. “I move the ball a fair amount both ways and I can see the lines of the shot well out there, more than a more open venue.”
We would like to thank National Car Rental for their title sponsorship. Thank you also to our supporting sponsors Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, ASICS, John Deere and the PGA Tour. Another thank you goes out to PGA General Manager David Kass, PGA Head Professional Jon Larson and Bear Creek CC for the accommodations and exceptional golf course.
Final results: https://2020secassistant.golfgenius.com