Defending champ Dahmen 7 shots behind

Defending champion Joel Dahmen of Clarkston found himself seven shots off the pace after the first round of the Washington State Golfing Association Men’s Amateur Championship at the Links at Moses Pointe in Moses Lake on Tuesday.

Dahmen opened with a 1-over-par 73 on the 7,276-yard course. He is tied with seven others for 11th place.

Richard Lee of Covington, Wash., set the pace with a 6-under 66 – one shot clear of Woodinville’s Jarin Todd.

Several other area players are in the tournament. They are: Spokane’s Denny LaRue (77); Spokane’s Ryan LaRue (77); Pullman’s Dillon Williams (79); Spokane’s Ryan Jones (79); Colville’s Kent Brown (80); and Spokane’s Todd Strate (83).

The 72-hole tournament continues today.

“Twin sisters Haley and Mandy Parsons, who both graduated from University High School and just finished their sophomore season at Washington State University, are in the hunt after the first round of the Washington State Golfing Association Women’s Amateur Championship at Sunland Golf and Country Club in Sequim.

Haley is in fifth place after shooting an 8-over-par 81 on the challenging 6,072-yard course. Mandy is in a two-way tie for sixth after carding an 82.

Seattle’s Leslie Folsom shot an even-par 73 to top the leaderboard. Seattle’s Stephanie Corey is in second place, two shots off the pace.

The 54-hole tournament continues today.