Former University of Oregon golfer Zach Foushee made seven birdies on his way to a 6-under-par 66 Friday and a one-shot lead at the Royal Oaks Invitational in Vancouver.
Foushee was one of seven golfers under par after the first of three rounds. The tournament, which returned after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concludes on Sunday.
Tom Brandes, the 2006 overall champion and senior division winner in 2017 and 2018, was second overall after the first round Friday with a 5-under 67.
Royal Oaks Country Club member Jon Romano and current Oregon State golfer Mateo Fuenmayor of Beaverton, Ore., are tied for third at 3-under.
Also in the red are Tye Gabriel and Ethan Evans, both 2-under, and Austin Carnese at 1-under.
Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Erik Hanson was tied for 13th overall with a 1-over 73. The six-time champion of the junior-senior division is tied for second in the senior division with Pat O’Donnell. They both trail Brandes’ 5-under score.
Other golfers with local ties include Hockinson High grad Garret Chambers and Mountain View senior Graham Moody, who were in a group of 12 tied for 20th at 2-over 74. Hockinson grad Gaston De La Torre had a 76.
The second round tees off Saturday at 7:30 a.m. with the last groups going off around 2:30 p.m.
Fans are welcome to attend. The course requests spectators wear collared shirts and no denim. Tournament information can be found online at roit.org.
ROYAL OAKS INVITATIONAL LEADERBOARD
At Royal Oaks Country Club, Vancouver
Par: 72
First Round Leaders
Zach Foushee 66 -6
Tom Brandes 67 -5
Mateo Fuenmayor 69 -3
Jon Romano 69 -3
Tye Gabriel 70 -2
Ethan Evans 70 -2
Austin Carnese 71 -1
Matt Friesen 72 E
Nate Stember 72 E
Sam Tidd 72 E
William Snow 72 E
Jake O’Neal 72 E
James Navarro 73 +1
Erik Hanson 73 +1
Michael Johansen 73 +1
Pat O’Donnell 73 +1
Brent McKee 73 +1
Derek Baade 73 +1
Chris Dukeminier 73 +1
