Senior Oregon Open/2026
Thornton Claims First Senior Oregon Open Title
Nathaniel Bailey, Tournament Intern
Brian Thornton of Meridian Valley Country Club captured his first Senior Oregon Open Invitational championship, overcoming a 248-player field and a tight finish at Wildhorse Resort & Casino and The Golf Course at Birch Creek in Pendleton, Oregon.
Thornton’s victory came down to the final holes, with a 45-foot putt on the 17th hole ultimately sealing the championship. Facing the daunting putt with the lead on the line, Thornton delivered, later reflecting, "It was big at the time," as he drained the lengthy putt to secure the championship.
Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club PGA Professional Jeff Coston, a nine-time Senior Oregon Open champion, finished runner-up, while Ryan Malby, last year’s champion, placed third, ending his four-year championship streak.
The 2026 Senior Oregon Open Invitational featured 62 Pacific Northwest PGA Professionals and 186 amateurs. Amateur Greg Chianello of Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club finished fourth overall to earn Low Amateur honors.
The team competition was contested in a 90% handicap format. Thornton, along with his three amateur partners Eric Zerr, Michael Cairns and Thomas Herrick, captured the team title with a 34-under-par total over 36 holes.
Thornton’s victory was built on a strong performance throughout the tournament. He opened with a bogey-free 64, followed by a second round with two bogeys and a final round with three.
Asked what advice he would give his younger self, Thornton recalled a lesson he learned early in his career.
"I was playing with Ted Wurtz in a tournament and I looked at him and said, 'Ted, it's been a pleasure playing with you today.' He replied, 'You know, I have learned something over the years. I am going to make a bogey, and it won't be my last.' I was around 30 at the time and use that still to this day. If I could have understood that statement and learn to get over it sooner, it would have helped me when I was younger."
For Thornton, the championship was especially meaningful because he was able to celebrate the victory with his wife.
"We were both excited…but she might have outdid me! She is so supportive of me playing in tournaments. That makes it easy to just go out and do my thing." The Pacific Northwest Section extends a sincere thank-you to Wildhorse Resort & Casino host PGA Professional Mike Hegarty and The Golf Course at Birch Creek host PGA Professional Michael Wood for once again hosting this memorable event. Thanks also to the players and volunteers who helped make the 2026 Senior Oregon Open Invitational a success.
Looking ahead, Wildhorse Resort & Casino has renewed its sponsorship of the Senior Oregon Open Invitational for three additional years. Wildhorse Resort Golf Course and The Golf Course at Birch Creek will host the championship from 2027 through 2029.
Final results: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5713867