News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/14/2017 12:00:00 AM PACIFIC
Updated: 9/14/2017 1:18:39 PM PACIFIC
For more information, contact Patrick Flynn.
23rd Annual Grande Ronde Amateur raises funds for purchase of medical equipment

LA GRANDE- 69 golfers came together for the 23rd annual Grande Ronde Amateur golf tournament held September 8th-10th, 2017 at the La Grande Country Club. The Amateur features 36 holes of individual stroke-play golf spread over three days, followed by a Sole Survivor competition on Sunday afternoon.

Corporate sponsors, Allstate Insurance Brent Wylam and Pepsi Cola Bottling Group of La Grande are proud to announce Jeff Neher of Walla Walla, who shot a gross 149, and Beccy Kramer of Imbler, who shot a gross 155, as men’s and women’s champions, respectively. Craig Braseth won the first senior men’s flight with a 154 and Ken Framer won the second senior men’s flight with a 170. Runner-ups for the men’s Open flight were Mark Grigg-151, Blake Bars-155 and Greg Corn-160. The runner-ups for the men’s senior first flight were Don McAndie-158, Chris Greenough-161, Dennis Clayville and Pay Vaughn tying at 167. The men’s senior second flight runner-ups were Dan Barrett-177, Dale Counsell-184 and Bob Dalton-189. The runners-up in the women’s flight were Kelli Hildebrandt-162 and Cally Goss-165. The net score winners over the course of the weekend coming in first place for the men’s first flight was Anthony Nice-142, men’s first senior flight Dwayne Craft-134, men’s second senior flight Richard Lovett-137 and for the women’s flight Stephanie Williams-142.

Following regular play on Sunday, a field of 30 of the top net and gross scorers gathered to compete in the six-hole, team and singles Sole Survivor competition.  A substantial crowd followed the players shot-for-shot. During the final elimination of the team Sole Survivor competition Delmer Hanson and Patrick Hemann found themselves in the bunker approaching the green, which Ken Kramer and Pat Vaughn took advantage of to win the team competition. In the individual Sole Survivor competition, Blake Bars of La Grande was unfazed following a monster tee shot by Anthony Nice on the final elimination hole. Blake reached the green on a par four in two shots and finished with a par to win the Sole championship.

Patrick Flynn, Foundation Manager for Grande Ronde Hospital said, “We are so pleased at the turnout from the number of golfers, as well as our sponsors, and volunteers who really keep this tournament going. It is great to see everyone’s support for Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics to provide great health care for our community.”

This year, proceeds from the tournament will go toward the purchase of new technologies for Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics in the form of new chairs for infusion therapy in the Hematology & Oncology Clinic, allowing patients a more comfortable stay while going through treatments, as well as an ureteroscope for the OR. 

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