Sovay goes low, wins senior event

Tom Sovay of The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge rode opening rounds of 65 and 67 to a five-stroke lead, then held on with a final round 1-under par 71 to fend off hard charging Tacoma Firs professional Todd Erwin by three strokes and capture the 15th annual 7 Cedars Senior Washington Open Championship.

Erwin began the round 10 stokes back but fired a tournament best 64 to grab the second spot. Jeff Fought of Black Butte Ranch shot consistent rounds of 69 each day to finish alone in 3rd place at 207. Tom Brandes of Rainier G&CC and Mike Kloenne of Columbia Edgewater CC tied for fourth place and low amateur at 208. It was Brandes’ 6th low amateur finish in the tournament, one of which was also the overall championship.

Seven-time defending champion Jeff Coston opted out of the tournament after he made the field for The Principal Charity Classic on the Champions Tour.