Benzel qualifies for PGA

Former Ritzville High School and University of Idaho standout Ryan Benzel shot a 67 on Sunday to finish fourth at the PGA Professional National Championship at Reynolds Plantation in Lake Oconee, Ga.

Benzel, who plays out of Mill Creek (Wash.) Country Club, entered the final round tied for 16th place. He finished with a 7-under-par total of 281. The top 20 finishers qualified for the PGA Championship in August.

Scott Hebert won the event, closing with a 4-under 68 at Great Waters for a one-stroke victory over Sonny Skinner.

The 39-year-old Hebert, a former Ferris State player based at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Michigan, had a 12-under 276 total to top the 20 qualifiers for the PGA Championship in August.

Hebert received an exemption into the next five PGA Professional National Championships, a spot on the 2009 PGA Cup Team and exemptions into six PGA Tour events over a 12-month period.

Kyle Kelly, a North Central High graduate who plays out of Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., finished tied for 45th place with a four-round total of 291. He shot 72 on Sunday.

Junior golf

Qualifying for the USGA Jr. Championship and USGA Girls Jr. Championship will take place today at Manito Golf and Country Club.

Twenty-eight boys and 30 girls from Washington, Idaho, California, Arizona, Montana and Canada will be playing for spots at nationals.

The boys will have one qualifying spot for the USGA Jr. Championship held July 21-26 at Shoal Creek Golf Club in Shoal Creek, Ala. The girls will have five qualifying spots for the USGA Girls’ Junior Championship held July 21-26 at The Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Conn.