Former UW golfer Berg leads Washington Open

Published 11:30 pm Monday, May 18, 2009

KENT — Amateur Derek Berg, a former University of Washington golfer from Duvall, posted a 5-under-par 67 on Monday for the first-round lead of the 83rd-annual Washington Open at Meridian Valley Country Club.

The 27-year-old Berg, who lost in a playoff to Brian Nosler a year ago, has a two-stroke lead over Scott Williams of Bellevue’s Glendale Country Club; Brian Thornton, an assistant pro at Meridian Valley; and amateurs Tom Lewis and Chris Polski.

Tom Sovay, a former teaching pro at Mukilteo’s Harbour Pointe Golf Club and currently a teaching pro at The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge, is one of nine players tied for 12th after a 1-under 71. The group at 71 includes Nosler, last year’s champion, and amateur Erik Hanson, a former Seattle Mariners pitcher.

Ryan Benzel, a teaching pro at Marysville’s Battle Creek Golf Course who finished fourth a year ago, and Dave Castleberry, the head pro at Marysville’s Cedarcrest Golf Course, both opened with 1-over 73s and are among 11 players tied for 28th.

Keith Coleman, an assistant pro and head superintendent at Harbour Pointe, and the 1997 and 2004 champion, is tied for 39th after a 2-over 74. Also at 74 is Chad Gorney, a former Everett High School and UW golfer.

Burton leads at PNGA

Bob Burton of Everett opened with a 2-under-par 70 Monday for the first-day lead of 36-hole stroke play qualifying at the 34th-annual Pacific Northwest Golf Association Men’s Master-40 Amateur Championship at Talking Rock Resort and Quaaout Lodge in Chase, B.C.

Burton, who won the event in 2006, shot 37-33 and was the only one of 69 players in the field to shoot under par.

After today’s second round of stroke-play qualifying, the top 32 players will move to the championship flight for match play to determine the champion.

Also in the field is Mike Seek of Mukilteo, who was tied for 17th with a first-round 78.