Haack, Smego win inaugural Mid-Amateur event

The Inaugural WSGA Men’s and Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship concluded last month at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Wash. Mike Haack, a 31 year old from Bellevue, Wash. followed up an opening round of 3-under par 69 with a 2-under par 70 for a 36-hole total of 5-under par 139 and a two stroke victory. Haack made up ground on earlier leader Sean Packer of Sumner Meadows to win the tournament. Haack plays out of Meridian Valley Country Club in Kent.

In the Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Lisa Smego of Olympia, Wash. came from 2-strokes behind at the beginning of the round and finished it with a very impressive 11-stroke victory. Smego who is just coming back to competitive golf after a back surgery did not even expect to be playing golf yet, let alone winning championships. She followed her opening round of 7-over par 79 with a tournament best of 2-over par 74 in very tough windy conditions for a 36-hole total of 9-over 153. Finishing in a tie for runner-up was first round leader, Denise Kieffer of University Place, Wash. and Sun Douthit of Steilacoom, Wash. Kieffer shot rounds of 77-87 while Douthit shot rounds of 82-82 both for 20-over par 164s.