Sarah Archuleta tees off on the 11th hole at Trysting Tree Golf Club during the 18th OGA Public Links Championship. 

Corvallis, Ore. – A year after the 2014 OGA Public Links was cut short due to lightning, a storm was a-brewing once again.  The 18th OGA Public Links Championship kicked off today (July 11th) as 106 public course players teed it up at Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, Ore.  Mild conditions allowed players to go low in the morning, but late winds and spots of rain made afternoon scoring a little more difficult.

In the Men’s Championship Division, Eugene native Jacob Henderson of Southern Illinois University used a string of three straight birdies between holes 8 and 10 to boost him into first place after shooting a 5-under par 67 on the par-72 layout.  University of Louisiana-Monroe golfer and defending champion Hogan Arey of Corvallis, Ore. is one shot back at 4-under par after shooting a 68, and Tom Greller of Newberg, Ore. sits alone in third place after shooting a 70. 

In the Men’s Open Division Austin Willhite of Vida, Ore. balanced three bogeys with three birdies to gain the lead with an even-par 72.  Billy Anderson of Eugene, Ore. is two shots back after shooting a 74.  Renato Geniza of Corvallis, Ore. and Christopher Witt of Brookings, Ore. are tied for third at 4-over par. 

The Women’s Championship division teed off last and fought cool, blustery conditions all afternoon.   Former West Linn High School golfer and Colorado State sophomore-to-be Sarah Archuleta carded a 2-over 74 to sit atop the leaderboard after day one.  Portland State golfer Riley Leming is one stroke back after shooting a 75 and former University of Oregon player Kate Harper is alone in third place after posting a 76.

The 18th OGA Public Links Championship continues tomorrow with the first group teeing off at 7:30 am.  Live scoring is available at http://oga.org/live-scoring.

For a complete photo gallery of today’s action visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oga/sets/72157655349873808