Karns wins Washington Senior Men’s Amateur golf title

Brad Karns of Vancouver shot 1-under par in Thurday’s final round to win the 30th Washington State Senior Men’s Amateur Championship at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla.

Karns played all three rounds under par, and was the leader after the second round. At the 13th tee in the final round, he had a five-stroke lead over Jim McNelis of Gig Harbor.

McNelis then birdied three of the next five holes, while Karns bogeyed the par-3 16th to cut Karns’ lead to one with one hole to play.

McNelis made par on the downhill par-5, and then watched as Karns parred it as well to close out the win.

“Probably for me the secret was just the experience I have playing this golf course,” Karns said. “I’ve probably 60-plus rounds logged here, and on these greens you really got to know where to put the ball if you want to make any birdies and try to eliminate 3-putts as much as possible.”