McClellan Leads 33rd Metropolitan Amateur Championship
O’Fallon, MO - What started as a crisp, cool morning turned into a beautifully warm day at WingHaven Country Club for the 33rd Metropolitan Senior Amateur. Eighty golfers teed it up today, including four past champions. The competition included the Championship division and five age group divisions.
It was a successful day on the course for two WingHaven Country Club members, who used their knowledge to climb the leaderboard. Scott McClellan of WingHaven had a rough start to the day making double bogey on the first hole. With some determination, McClellan turned his day around to finish on top of the leaderboard at two-under (-2) par. Adam Tomicich of WingHaven put together the only bogey-free round of the day. With a birdie on Hole 8, Tomicich sits securely in second at one-under (-1) par and in striking distance for tomorrow. Four golfers sit in a tie for third at one-over (+1) par: John Moore of Quincy Country Club, David Pfeil of The Legends Country Club, David Johnson of The Legends Country Club, and former champion Buddy Allen of Sugar Creek Golf Course. The top ten is rounded out by Dave Rich, former champion Brian Lovett, Didier Villard, and Rob Scherer in a tie for seventh at two-over (+2) par.
The age divisions went off behind the championship division for Round 1. In these divisions, the competitors compete in both gross and net scores. The 75 and over division went first. William Wunderlich of the Metropolitan eClub topped this division’s leaderboard at two-over (+2) par. He is followed by Lendell Phelps of the Metropolitan eClub at five-over (+5) par. When the handicaps were applied, Tom Leahy of Grey Beard Golf Club shot to the top at net two-under (-2) par with Lendell Phelps still in second with a net one-over (+1) par.
The 70 to 74 age division was next. Bill Anderson of Woods Fort Golf Course ran away with the lead today. Anderson’s bogey-free back nine coupled with six birdies across the round brought him to five-under (-5) par. Doug Banks of Tapawingo National Golf Club sits in second at five-over (+5) par. Once the handicaps were applied to this group, Anderson remained on top at net even (E) par and Kevin Ortyl of Sunset Country Club moved into second at net two-over (+2) par.
Following in next was the 65 to 69 division. Brian McGinley of Tapawingo National Golf Club started the day off strong and finished on top at even (E) par. Bill Schmidt of the USGA/MetAmateur GC and Vincent Featherson of the Metropolitan eClub are not far behind as they are tied for second at one-over (+1) par. As the handicaps get applied, Vincent Featherson moves up and is joined by Bill Slantz of the Metropolitan eClub at net one-under (-1) par. McGinley falls into third at net three-over (+3) par.
Next we had the 60 to 64 age division. Daniel Strawbridge of The Falls Golf Club ended the day on top of his division at four-over (+4) par. He is followed closely by John Chastain of the Metropolitan eClub at five-over (+5) par. Once again, the handicap strokes did their part, leading Michael Derbak of the Metropolitan up to the top of the leaderboard at net even (E) par. Charles Miller also moved up to sit in second at net two-over (+2) par.
Closing out the day was the 50 to 59 age division. Scott Dreher of WGM Golf Club had a full day of golf. Dreher experienced everything from an eagle to a double bogey in his round that placed him at the top of the leaderboard at three-over (+3) par. William Riggleman of Glen Echo Country Club is the next closest competitor at ten-over (+10) par. For the final time, handicap strokes were factored in leading William Riggleman to take the lead at net one-over (+1) par. Amrit Gill of Norwood Hills Country Club moved up the board to take the second place spot at net three-over (+3) par.
Tomorrow, players will return for the second and final round of the Metropolitan Senior Amateur. Play will begin at 8:00 am with the 75 and over division. The final group of the Championship division will begin play at 12:30pm.