It’s Smith In Playoff At Sectional

Central Valley High School’s Brandon Smith defeated Corey Prugh of Ferris in a sudden-death playoff Friday to win the boys division of the Maxfli Pacific Northwest Section PGA Junior Golf Championship at Tumwater, Wash.

Smith, whose home is in Veradale, knocked a 100-yard wedge shot within 6 feet of the pin on the fourth playoff hole, then saved par. Prugh failed to convert an 8-foot putt. Both golfers finished the two-day, 36-hole event with a total of 144. Prugh earned first place among players 14 or 15 years of age.

Jennifer Kamimura, 14, of Burlington, Wash., breezed to the girls title with a final round 69 and a total of 145.

Michael Hastings of Ferris, the first-day boys leader, and Shadle Park graduate Robert Selland shared second behind Smith among boys 16-17. Both shot 146.

Both winners advance to The Maxfli National Junior Championship Aug. 21-24 at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. More than 1,200 junior players attempted to qualify in the sectional event at Tumwater Valley Municipal Golf Course.

Pete Williams, playing out of the University of Idaho’s course in Moscow, posted a 36-hole total of 143 to lead 44 District Five players into the upcoming Washington Junior Golf Association state championships.

Williams, who finished one shot ahead of Kyle Schwahn of Veradale, headed the boys 15-17 division. Bridget Johnson of Spokane shot 157 to lead the girls. David Fern of Spokane led the boys 12-14 with a 150. Lani Elston, 14, of Otis Orchards shot 145, including a women’s course record 68 on the second day, topped the girls.

Craig Leslie of Spokane shot 150 to lead boys 8-11.

All six district tournaments were played Monday and Tuesday with the District Five championships held at Hidden Lakes Country Club in Sandpoint.

Pro Classic lineup set

The field of 17 Senior PGA Tour professionals has been finalized for this year’s Pro Classic, which will be played July 20-21 at The Creek at Qualchan.

Toby Steward, the director and promoter of the golf event, said several last-minute changes have been made to the list of competitors, but none involves the marquee names.

Headliner Lee Trevino is still scheduled to compete, along with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie, J.C. Snead and Tony Jacklin.

Rounding out the field for the July 21 pro-am scramble and six-hole Tidyman’s Shootout are Rick Acton, Butch Baird, Don Bies, Homero Blancas, Bob Brue, Bruce Devlin, Bob Goalby, Dick Hendrickson, Bunky Henry, Larry Mowry, Bobby Nichols, Ken Still and Dewitt Weaver.

Steward, who hopes to turn the Pro Classic into a regular stop for the Senior PGA Tour, said Hal Seward, the Tour’s vice president, will attend this year’s event.

Basketball

Traditional small-school prep giants, Whitman County and Bi-County, square off in an all-star doubleheader tonight at St. John.

The girls all-stars meet at 6 followed by the boys at 8. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for students.

Baseball

Josh Sheffield rapped out two singles and a double and Sean Ruscio scattered six hits as the Bandits (9-7) defeated the Cannons (10-6) 6-3 in AAA American Legion play at Jackson Field.

Aaron Gilliland doubled twice for the Cannons.

, DataTimes