JT Sutton shot 1 over par 73 from the black tees Saturday to take a one shot lead after the first round of the Tega Cay Men’s Golf Association Club Championship, played in a cold, steady wind that pushed scores up across the field at Tega Cay Golf Club.
Juan Melchor is second at 74, and Tom Cannarrozo is third at 75 heading into Sunday’s final round. Billy Hall and Tyler Patterson are tied for fourth at 77. No one in the nine player Club Championship division broke par.
The two round event crowns the association’s champions in five divisions, the Club Championship, the Senior Club Championship, the Super Senior Club Championship and two net flights of the Open Championship. The field drew 56 entries.
Hall and Zondervan Lead Senior Divisions
Kenny Hall matched par with a 72 from the white tees to open a five stroke lead in the Senior Club Championship. Keith Murphy is second at 77, and Thomas Hyslip is third at 86.
In the Super Senior Club Championship, Andrew Zondervan also shot even par 72, playing from the gold tees, and leads Gary Anderson by six strokes. Zondervan’s round included an eagle on the third hole. Gary Martin is third at 82, followed by Doug McGowan at 84 and Tom McGrath at 86.
Hall and Zondervan posted the only even par gross rounds of the day.
Open Championship Flights
Bob Auman leads Flight 1 of the Open Championship after a gross 82 for a net 72, even par. Seth Lockman is second at net 76, and Paul Liles and Tyler Birchfield are tied for third at net 78. Auman made a net eagle on the 16th hole.
Dale Fandel turned in the best net score of the tournament in Flight 2, shooting a gross 81 for a net 70, 2 under par. He was the only player in either flight to finish under par on a net basis and leads Mike McCarthy by eight strokes. McCarthy is at net 78, and Vince Louther is third at net 79.
Eagles on the Front Nine
Two players made gross eagles Saturday, both in the opening holes. McGowan eagled the first hole, and Zondervan followed with his eagle on the third.
On the net side, Zachary Musick recorded a net double eagle on the second hole. Ben Elia made a net eagle on No. 15 and Auman added his on No. 16. John Daly carded a net birdie on the fourth hole, and Jim Popa had a net birdie on No. 13.
The final round is Sunday, with champions in each division to be decided after play concludes.
Day 1 Results
Club Championship (Black Tees)
- JT Sutton, 73
- Juan Melchor, 74
- Tom Cannarrozo, 75
T4. Billy Hall, 77
T4. Tyler Patterson, 77 - Bryce Wittmer, 79
- Alfredo Scaronia, 81
- Adam Bylerly, 83
- Ben Elia, 86
Senior Club Championship (White Tees)
- Kenny Hall, 72
- Keith Murphy, 77
- Thomas Hyslip, 86
Super Senior Club Championship (Gold Tees)
- Andrew Zondervan, 72
- Gary Anderson, 78
- Gary Martin, 82
- Doug McGowan, 84
- Tom McGrath, 86
- John Daly, 101
Open Championship, Flight 1 (net)
- Bob Auman, 72
- Seth Lockman, 76
T3. Paul Liles, 78
T3. Tyler Birchfield, 78
Open Championship, Flight 2 (net)
- Dale Fandel, 70
- Mike McCarthy, 78
- Vince Louther, 79
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
