Mercer Island golfer claims Washington State Men’s Am title

Charlie Kern of Mercer Island, Wash. played steady golf over three rounds, shooting 71-72-72, to win the 89th Washington State Men’s Amateur Championship. Kern had started the final round five shots behind second-round leader Joe Harvie of Orting, Wash.

After three rounds played in difficult windy conditions, no player in the field finished under par. The 54-hole championship was held on the par-71 Rope Rider course at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Wash.

Playing together in the final group of the day, Harvie had extended his lead over Kern, his closest pursuer, to a seemingly insurmountable eight shots after eagleing the par-5 second hole, the second consecutive day he had eagled the hole.

But Harvie would go 6-over par over the next eight holes, while Kern birdied holes six and seven, and the two players were tied for the lead at even par while standing on the 11th tee, and it became a two-man horse race to the finish.

The two players were still tied for the lead playing the 18th hole, but Harvie double-bogeyed the hole.

Winning this championship closes out Kern’s amateur career. This month he will move to South Carolina, turn professional and attempt to qualify for the Web.com Tour and PGA Tour Canada.