Lilac City Invitational tees of at The Fairways

There will be a new champion at the Lilac City Invitational, which begins a four-day run Thursday at The Fairways.

Defending champion Russell Grove (pictured) isn’t in the field. At least 18 pros, down from last year’s 30, will be chasing the $5,000 first-place check. About 40 amateurs are scheduled to play in the region’s only 72-hole tournament.

Manito assistant and 2013 runner-up Corey Prugh, who shot 62 in a pro-am at MeadowWood on Monday, and Jason Humphrey, who has finished third the last two years, figure to be in the mix. Others to watch are Tony Robydek, who tied for second recently at the Tri-City Open, Montanan Jim Mee, Cheney’s Todd Pence and former champs Chris Ming (2004) and Storm Gleim (1997).

The Fairways general manager Kris Kallem said the course is in ideal condition.

“We were fortunate to dodge a lot of the issues other courses had and we came out of winter in great shape,” The Fairways general manager Kris Kallem said.

The Lilac annually features several popular events, including a wedge competition on Thursday, long drive competition on Friday and a new offering, a 50-50 putting challenge open to the public that will run Wednesday through Saturday afternoon.

Net proceeds from the tournament help support Shriners Hospital for Children-Spokane.

Jim Meehan

Arena to host women’s regional

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Washington State and the Spokane Arena were selected by the NCAA on Monday as a regional site for the 2015 Women’s Basketball Championship. This will be the fourth time WSU and the Arena have hosted a women’s regional.

The Spokane Regional will be played either March 27 and 29 or March 28 and 30. The NCAA will determine those dates later this year.