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Record-Setting First Day Leads Acharya to 4th of July Tournament Title

Former University of Montana golfer shoots 63 in opening round, wins tournament by four strokes

By Andy Viano

Former professional golfer Jasi Acharya fired a course-record 63 in the opening round en route to the ladies title at the three-day 4th of July Tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club, July 5-7.

Acharya held on after a blistering first day, closing with a final round 76 to finish at 216, four stokes clear of Stephanie Hurlbert. On Thursday, Acharya was 8-under par on the South Course to record her 63, and she entered the second day of the tournament with a seven-stroke cushion. Kalispell’s Teigan Avery was third at 226.

Acharya won four consecutive Class B state golf titles at Columbus High School before competing for the University of Montana and winning a Big Sky Conference championship in 2006. She went on to play on the LPGA tour and in the 2014 U.S. Open.

In the men’s tournament, Seattle’s Cory Mehl edged Kalispell’s Logan Lindholm and Arizonan Andrew Medley by a single stroke to claim first place. Mehl (214) shot a 71 on the final day to erase a six-stroke deficit entering the final round. Lindholm, who shared the lead after two days with Medley, shot 68-69 over the first two rounds before posting a closing 78.

Rich Boswell won the men’s senior championship (223) by one shot.