Lindeblad Falls To 50Th At Qualifying Event

Spokane’s Gary Lindeblad faded from contention Thursday in the third round of the Senior PGA Tour qualifying tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Lindeblad took a double-bogey and three bogeys in the first seven holes before recovering to shoot 76. That left him at 215 for 54 holes. He skidded into a tie for 50th place.

Meanwhile, former PGA Tour regular Bob Gilder took command of the tournament. Gilder, who had moved into second place on Wednesday, carded a 66 for a total of 198 that was good for an eight-shot lead. A six-time winner on the PGA Tour, Gilder will turn 50 on the last day of the year.

Bill Holstead, the leader through two rounds, skied to a 75. He is one of four golfers sharing second place at 206.

Oregon native Pat Fitzsimons, a San Diego resident, is among eight players tied at 208.

The tournament concludes today. The top 16 finishers will gain Senior Tour cards for 2001. The top eight among them will receive full exemptions.

Lindeblad was five strokes over par after seven holes. His double bogey came at the par-4 No. 2. After making the turn in 41, he had two birdies, one bogey and six pars on the back nine.

Indians baseball

The Spokane Indians will open their 2001 Northwest League baseball schedule at home against the Everett AquaSox on June 19.

The 76-game season will run through Sept. 5.

The eight-team league has changed from North and South divisions to West and East divisions with the relocation of Portland to the Tri-Cities. Spokane will play in the East with Tri-City, Yakima and Boise.

A complete schedule is available at www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com.