Spokane Golfer 7 Strokes Back In Nw Players

Darin Vaughan of Spokane was seven strokes off the lead with a 74 after the first round of the Northwest Players Championship at Sahalee Country Club on Wednesday.

Ben Crane of Beaverton, Ore., took a one-stroke lead with a 67.

Crane, a University of Oregon golfer, was 5 under par on the 6,769 yards of the North and East courses of Sahalee, site of the PGA Championship next August.

Andrew Montooth of Bexley, Ohio, the Ohio State Amateur champ, shot a 68.

The second round of the tournament, which attracted many top amateur golfers from around the country, will be played today on the 6,769 yards of the East and South courses of the 27-hole Sahalee layout. The final round will be played Friday on the South and North courses.