EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The team of Leif Carlson and Greg Murphy jumped out to the early lead Monday with a 5-under par 66 at the 2013 Minnesota Golf Association Senior Amateur Four Ball Championship at Bent Creek Golf Club.
Carlson, Valleywood Golf Course, and Murphy, Keller Golf Club, started on the 10th hole and went to 1-under with a birdie on the 12th hole. They would make the turn at 2-under par after a birdie on the par-5 16th hole, and after back-to-back birdies to open their back nine, Carlson and Murphy moved to 4-under par.
The two made six consecutive pars before ending the day with a birdie on the final hole, turning in a flawless scorecard at 5-under par 66.
The duo of David McCook and Clint Nelson finished Monday’s opening round in second place and will begin the final round just two strokes off the lead as the two posted a 3-under par 68.
McCook, University Golf Club, and Nelson, Detroit Country Club, began the day with a birdie on the first hole but gave a stroke back on the third hole with a birdie to draw back to even. The pair got back into red numbers with a birdie at the fourth hole to get to 1-under before another birdie at the sixth put them at 2-under.
With a birdie on the par-4 11th hole, the two moved to 3-under par and made three straight pars before a bogey on the 15th put them back to 2-under. The two ended on a strong note with a birdie on the final hole to finish the opening round at 3-under par 68.
Dick Blooston and Tim Gonsior are tied for third place after the first round, shooting a 2-under par 69 Monday.
Blooston, Edina Country Club, and Gonsior, Golden Valley Golf and Country Club, recorded a single birdie along with eight pars on the opening nine holes to go to 1-under par before two birdies and a bogey put them in the clubhouse at 2-under par 69.
Ray Sauer and Steve Whittaker also carded a 2-under par 69 Monday and will begin the final round Tuesday three strokes behind the leaders.
Sauer, Tianna Country Club, and Whittaker, Pebble Creek Golf Club, made back-to-back birdies on the first two holes to quickly jump to 2-under par and cruised through the next 16 holes with consecutive pars to finish at 2-under 69.
Eight teams are tied for fifth place at 1-under par 70.
Tuesday’s final round will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the final group teeing off at 2:00 p.m.
View results for Minnesota Senior Four-Ball
ABOUT THE Minnesota Senior Four-Ball
In 1974, the MGA Senior Four-Ball became the
state's second senior event. 36-hole four-ball stroke
play tournament with Senior (ages
55
to 64) and Masters
(ages 65 and over) Divisions. The MGA awards
prizes for low gross and low net scores in
both Senior and Masters Divisions.
View Complete Tournament Information