Lee-Scott holds lead after day one of AISA tournament
Published 6:09 pm Monday, April 29, 2013
Glenwood Academy’s Brandon O’Pry hits an approach shot onto the 18th green Monday morning during the first round of the AISA State Golf Tournament. O’Pry is tied for fourth after the first day with a 6-over 77. — Tim Reeves
Selma Country Club pro Tommy Burns was all smiles Monday afternoon as the first round of the AISA State Golf Tournament was coming to an end.
After forecasts had called for rain, the sun was out and the course was in perfect condition for some of the best private school golfers in the state to take aim at the greens.
Unfortunately for them, the Selma Country Club golf course was playing just like it always does, tough and the scores were a reflection of that.
Not a single golfer found their way under par and the expected setup for Tuesday’s final round should further separate the field.
“The Alabama Golf Association usually makes the course tougher on the second day,” Burns said. “We will go through this afternoon and change the tees and the pin locations. They want to really separate the best players on day two.”
Two golfers from Lee-Scott Academy are leading the way after day one, with Turk Pettit holding a one-shot lead. Pettit shot a 4-over 75, while his teammate Davis Thompson shot a 5-over 76 and is tied for second with Macon-East’s Harris Stevens.
Two shots off the lead is a group of four golfers, including Morgan Academy golfer Ford Manderson.
James Ellis from Monroe Academy, Brandon O’Pry from Glenwood Academy, Scott Brantly from Escambia Academy joined Manderson in shooting an opening 77 Monday morning.
Manderson opened his round off strong with a birdie on No. 1, before going off the rails a bit with five bogies over the next six holes. He was able to steady himself over the remaining 11 holds, shooting just two over.
Manderson is just one of three golfers from Morgan participating. Dalton Lee shot a 17-over 88 on day one, while Wyatt Sims was disqualified for failing to finish a hole, in what was described as a misunderstanding on the rules set-up for this tournament.
On the team standings, Lee-Scott holds a 4-shot lead over Monroe Academy after day one. Glenwood Academy is eight shots back. Macon East finds themselves further back, positioned in fourth trailing Lee-Scott by 20 shots.
Morgan did not qualify for the team event.
Tuesday’s round begins at 7:30 a.m., with the leaders teeing off at 9 a.m.
