Plenty of talent back for Lilac Invitational

Two-time defending champion Mark Worthington won’t be around, but four of last year’s top six finishers are back for the 45th annual Lilac Invitational golf tournament that opens its four-day run at The Fairways at West Terrace golf course this morning at 8.

Jim Bob Coleman, a co-runner-up in last year’s event, heads a list of returning pros that also includes Tom Robillard and Troy Kelly, who tied for fourth a year ago, and Ryan Earl, who finished sixth.

Coleman, a former Priest River resident, opened last year’s Lilac – the region’s only 72-hole tournament – with a sizzling 9-under-par 63, but played the last three rounds just four strokes under par and finished at 271, three shots behind Worthington.

Robillard, who plays out of Palm Desert, Calif., and Kelley, from Gig Harbor, Wash., were two strokes back at 273. Earl, from Olympia, was another shot back at 274.

All four are hoping to improve their standings in this year’s event and pocket the winner’s check, which could be as much as the $5,000 Worthington earned with his victory last year.

But tournament director John Durgan, who was still processing entries Wednesday afternoon, said they could find a local competitor, amateur Pete Sisich, standing in their way.

Sisich, who lives in Cheney and recently completed his collegiate eligibility at Cal State Northridge, finished as low amateur in last year’s Lilac with a score of 276 that was good for a seventh-place tie overall.

“Pete’s playing great right now,” Durgan said of Sisich, who is working at The Fairways again this summer and knows the 6,459-yard, par-72 layout as well as anyone. “They’re all going to have to play pretty darn well be beat him – not just the amateurs, but the pros, as well.”

Other professionals who expect to contend for this year’s overall title are former champion Storm Gleim, who plays out of Toka Sticks Golf Club in Gilbert, Ariz., and former Cheney resident Todd Pence, who has been playing regularly on the Canadian PGA Tour.

As in the past, there will be a Senior Pro division, but with a twist.

Former Central Valley High School and University of Washington standout Michelle Grafos, who recently turned pro, will compete against the senior male professionals.

“We’re trying to come up with a new name for that division right now,” Durgan said.

This year’s field of approximately 40 professionals and 80 amateurs is down slightly from last year, and Northern Quest Casino has backed out of the title sponsor’s role it held last year. Still, Durgan hopes to keep the total purse and prize money close to what it has been in recent years.