Anderson sets course mark with 6-under 65
The Daily Inter Lake
Two-time winner Scott Anderson of Great Falls shot a South Course record 65 Thursday to take the opening-day lead at the 70th annual 4th of July golf tournament at Whitefish Lake Golf Club.
Anderson finished with a birdie on the par 4, 460-yard 18th hole by chipping in from 30 yards out.
The old course record was 66 and was shared by Spencer Hughes and Derek Denning. The two Whitefish golfers set that mark last fall.
Defending champ Jeff Ballard of Billings shot even par, 71, and is tied for fifth with Chris McConnell of Billings, Dave Morberg of Whitefish and Tyler Atwood of Whitefish.
Ballard won last year's stroke-play event by seven shots and with a tournament record 10-under par total of 205.
Robb Bergeson of Billings is one shot behind Anderson while Marty Mehl of Seattle and Steve Gold of Whitefish are tied for third with 69s.
Anderson finished second at this event last year, but won it the two previous years.
The Ohio State University graduate plans to pursue a career on the pro golf tour in the near future.
Defending women's champ Devon Newell of Helena opened with a 74, to take a one-shot lead on Conrad's Jennifer Orcutt.
Kelly Gillum of Phoenix, Ariz., is third, 76, with Jasi Acharya of Columbus and Eileen Spindler of Pocatello, Idaho, tied for fourth with 77s.
Last year's runner-up, Darah Newell of Helena, opened with an 81.
Second-round action begins today at 7 a.m. The tournament concludes Saturday.
After today's play, there will be a golf derby for the men at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
Men
Scott Anderson 65
Robb Bergeson 66
Marty Mehl 69
Steve Gold 69
Jeff Ballard 71
Chris McConnell 71
Dave Morberg 71
Tyler Atwood 71
Nick Obie 72
Mike Rider 72
Spencer Williams 72
Grant Wingate 72
Derek Denning 72
Mike Majors 72
Bryan Barthelmess 73
Craig Hulbert 73
Seth Jamison 73
Ryan Linnell 73
Chris Geddes 73
Caroll Lilly 74
Hub Hultgren 74
Jason Johnstone 74
Tyler Holtet 74
Gary Newlin 74
Eric Reimers 75
Ryan Swager 75
Shawn Tucker 75
Casey Keyser 76
John Miscavage 76
Bennett MacIntyre 76
Rob Logsdon 77
Luke Scrymgeour 77
Michael Skillern 77
Steve Williamson 77
Chris Kalbfleisch 77
Brett Bennyhoff 78
John Moscrip 78
Rich Boswell 79
Ryan Rutherford 79
Women
Devon Newell 74
Jennifer Orcutt 75
Kelly Gillum 76
Jasi Acharya 77
Eileen Spindler 77
Kylie Anderson 78
Kristina Kurcinka 79
Sarah Ogle 80
Darah Newell 81
Carlie Breen 83
Maresa Jenson 83
Tess Stevenson 83
Kate Steffanich 83
Ellen O'Hara 84
Hillary Folkvord 86
Karen Jacobson 87
Liz Hewson 88
Carey Cameron 90
Sue Kemsley 90
Emily Hardan 91
Sandy Haydu 92
Tammy Roy 95
Kellie Boyum 98
Stacy Denning 98
Gail Hunt 99
Tracy Whisenand 99
Nancy Resch 101