Riverside GC (CDGA photo)
NORTH RIVERSIDE, Ill. (Sept. 12, 2018) – Quick greens and thick rough stymied the Illinois State Senior Amateur field Wednesday at Riverside Golf Club, as a trio of golfers lead at 3 over after the opening round. Daniel Brassil of Chicago, Cory Scott of Galesburg and Tim Sheppard of East Peoria all vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with rounds of 74.
“The greens are tough,” Brassil admitted following his round, which was highlighted by a birdie on the par-5 15th. “They're small and they're undulated. If you get above them, you're in trouble.”
Scott, with his son Jake on the bag less than a month after they advanced to the quarterfinals of the CDGA Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Mistwood Golf Club, went out in 34. However, he started his back nine with three consecutive bogeys en route to a finishing 40.
“If you don't drive it straight, the rough is strong, and the ball isn't going to stop if you're hitting it out of the rough,” Scott said. “You're going to have your down-hillers, and that's where I made my mistake on the back side.”
Sheppard similarly struggled with the flat stick, as he was unable to capitalize on an excellent ball-striking day.
“I missed two greens and two fairways and shot 74,” Sheppard said astonishingly. “I had two terrible doubles and had a couple three putts. Next thing you know, you shoot 74. I hit the ball really good today, but I didn't get a lot out of it. It's the first day. We'll see if we can't get a little better tomorrow.”
The entire field will play 18 more holes on Thursday, with the low 35 and ties advancing to Friday's final round. A low super senior, age 65 and older, will be crowned at the conclusion of play on Thursday.
ABOUT THE Illinois Senior Amateur
Open to senior amateurs who are residents of the
state of Illinois. A 54-hole event with the entire field
playing 36 holes over the course of two days and the
low 30 and ties play the final 18 on the third day.
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