PULLMAN, Wash. – Ethan Atherstone's collegiate debut has been an impressive one through the first two rounds of the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate at Palouse Ridge Golf Course.
Atherstone had rounds of 70-71 and is in fifth at one-under 141 with Tuesday's final 18 holes to go. His mastery of the blustery conditions was shared by his teammates who battled the wind and, collectively, are 11
th with a 28-over 596.
"I'm extremely proud of Ethan today," coach
David Nuhn said. "He really came out and showed us he's a gamer. Although he wasn't in the lineup for the top five, he's in the mix. That's really exciting to have in his first collegiate tournament."
Washington State's Nick Mandell is the tournament leader at five-under 137 as the host Cougars have a 15-stroke lead heading into the final 18 holes.
"This was a great opportunity for some young players and some players new to Division I golf to get some experience in extremely difficult conditions," Nuhn said. "It was difficult for us to handle the wind.
"But at the end of the day, you have to find a way to score a little better. You have to turn the bad rounds into 75s and 76s instead of 79s and 82s. If we can get to that point, we'll be closer to where we need to be to move forward."
Ryan Porch, the Vandals' lone senior, is just one stroke back of Atherstone at 142 and tied for sixth.
Enrique Marin is tied for 11
th at two-over with 144. Also in the scoring group,
Chris Carew is at 154,
Klaus Ganter at 159 and
Brock Anderson at 161. Playing as individuals,
Holden Bistline is at 149,
Hayden Ritter is at 155, and J.T. Bloomer is at 163.
