There is golf for relaxation, and golf for competition. Olympia’s Jarred Bossio is somehow trying to balance both approaches this week at the 46th Pacific Coast Amateur.
That is because it is the Capital High School and University of Idaho product’s first trip to Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the Oregon coast.
And after his 2-under-par 70 on Wednesday, Bossio is one stroke off the lead after two of the four rounds.
Brush Prairie’s Gaston De La Torre, a recent New Mexico State graduate who plans on turning professional in the fall, leads at even-par 142. He shot 72 Wednesday.
Bossio (73-70) and Hawaii’s Lorens Chan (70-73) share second place at 143. The next closest pursuer is two strokes behind them.
Bossio, the 2011 Washington State Men’s Amateur winner, made six birdies on his round Wednesday to get in contention.
“I am hitting it really well right now, so I am not surprised to be (near the lead),” Bossio said. “I am trying to have fun and enjoy it. I played six holes on the water, and they are gorgeous. I will take it all in and try and play competitive golf, too.”
Of course, he was not so sure what his initial experience would be like Monday when he played his first practice round. The wind was blowing 45 mph.
“I could not reach a 390-yard, par 4,” he said. “The playability of the course all depends on the weather.”
He took advantage of calmer conditions in the morning Wednesday, and actually had pulled to even-par for the tournament with his birdie at the 13th hole.
But on No. 15, a par 3 directly into the wind, his iron tee shot stayed right and plugged in a greenside bunker. He hit his second shot to the tall fescue grass, then chipped to within 10 feet – but missed the putt for bogey.
The next hole, a 330-yard par 4, played downwind, and Bossio reached the front of the green with his 3-wood tee shot – and two-putted from 25 feet to make his final birdie.
This performance comes on the heels of making the quarterfinals of match play at the Pacific Northwest Men’s Amateur in Walla Walla.
“It would be nice to win, or be in contention – and I am in this one (event), and was at the PNGAs,” Bossio said. “It is all just consistency, and not making mistakes.”
Olympia’s Dominick Francks shot 78 Wednesday, and is tied for 33rd – in a field of 77 – at 12-over 154.
todd.milles@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/golf @ManyHatsMilles
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