Team OGA wins 2016 PNGA Cup
Article by Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf
RICHMOND, B.C. – The team from the OGA narrowly defeated the squad representing the Washington State Golf Association (WSGA) to win the 11th PNGA Cup, held May 5-6 at Richmond Country Club in Richmond, B.C.
After the first day’s play, the OGA held a one-point lead over the WSGA, and both teams notched seven points during the singles matches, with the OGA finishing on top by a single point, 14.5 to the WSGA’s 13.5. British Columbia Golf (BCG) finished at 10.5 while the Idaho Golf Association (IGA) finished at 9.5.
This is the sixth title for the OGA, having previously won in 2006, ’07, ’10, ’11 and ’12.
The PNGA Cup was created in 2006 by past PNGA President Dr. Jack Lamey as a way of continuing the friendship and partnership of the region’s allied associations under the PNGA umbrella – BCG, the IGA, OGA and WSGA.
Each association sends 12 of their finest amateur golfers, eight men and four women, to compete in the annual Ryder Cup-style competition, which includes four-ball and foursome matches the first day and singles matches on the second and final day.
Oregon held a one-point lead leading into Friday’s singles competition and hung onto it, thanks in no small part to the contributions of Kate Harper (Portland, Ore.) and Brie Stone (Veneta, Ore.).
Harper and Stone played together on Thursday and swept their four-ball and foursomes matches. And on Friday, they both won their singles matches in convincing fashion.
Stone beat Abby Black of Idaho 4 and 2, while Harper defeated Kareen Markle of Idaho 5 and 3. Harper and Brie collected six of Oregon’s 14.5 points.
“We played well together,” Stone said of her pairing with Harper. “We’re a good team, we had lots of fun, and it was nice for us both to win our singles matches today.”
“You just kind of go out and take care of your own business and hope everybody else does the same,” added Harper. “It was a great golf course and the weather was good, although there was some wind.”
“They were huge,” Oregon captain Brent Whittaker said of Stone and Harper. “We always talk about if our women and senior men can play well, we’ll do well as a team. We have had our chances the last couple of years, but it seems like we have always fallen short. So this is a sweet victory.”
Washington, which staged a spirited defense of its title, won last year at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, and was led by Bellingham’s Jake Koppenberg, who went 3-0 in his matches.
