Jordan Belton Leads Mid-Amateur, Lance Lundy Leads Mid-Master After Round 2 At Talking Rock
Lance Lundy Leads The British Columbia Golf Mid-Master Component Of The Mid Amateur Event At (+2) 146 After Two Rounds At Talking Rock - Image Credit Alfie Lau
by Alfie Lau
A steady rain provided some challenges during Round 2 of the British Columbia Golf Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master at Talking Rock Golf Course in Chase on Wednesday.
The British Columbia Mid-Amateur is for players age 25 and older while the Mid-Master is for players age 40 and older. The 54-hole event has a cut to top 70 and ties after 36 holes.
Talking Rock played to 6,620 yards on Wednesday, with only two players breaking par. Jordan Belton and Mark Heinrich, playing in the same group, both shot (-1) rounds of 71, while Kamloops’ Adam Kernan came in at even par 72.
Belton leads the Mid-Amateur standings with a (-1) total of 143. He’s two strokes ahead of Kernan and first-round leader Patrick Weeks, who shot (+3) 75 on Wednesday.
In fourth place is Pemberton’s Lance Lundy, who shot a second consecutive round of (+1) 73 to sit at (+2) 146 for the tournament and three strokes behind Belton.
Lundy leads the Mid-Master event, one stroke ahead of Heinrich, whose rounds of 76 and 71 leave him at (+3) 147, and first-round Mid-Master leader James Decker, who shot 71-76 to also sit at 147.
Belton, a Surrey native who plays out of The Vancouver Golf Club, followed up his opening round 72 with a (-1) round of 71. He’s the only player to be under par after two rounds. “I’m pretty happy about the round today,” said Belton, a University of Hawaii alum who’s now an investment advisor. “To be in contention is good because I haven’t played too many provincial events.”
Belton opened up with birdies on two of his first three holes before a double bogey on the par-3 sixth and a bogey at 8 left him at (+1) for the front nine. Belton got those strokes back with birdies at 10 and 14, finishing at 71 for the day, which was tied for low round of the day with playing partner Mark Heinrich.
“I scrambled really well,” said Belton. “I didn’t hit the ball great today but I left myself makeable six footers and I got it in with a decent score.” Belton said he’s only hit two drivers during the first two days of play and the wet weather hasn’t bothered him much.
First round leader Patrick Weeks had a tough back 9 Wednesday, finishing at (+3) 75 for the day and (+1) 145 for the tournament, two strokes behind Belton. Weeks opened with a bogey, but made birdies at 7 and 9 to sit at (-3) for the tournament after 27 holes.
But the steady rain finally got to Weeks, as he made a double bogey on 12 and back-to-back bogeys on 15 and 16 to card a (+4) 40 on his incoming nine.
“I played well on the front nine but I had a lost ball on 16 and it was tough out there,” said Weeks. “My feet are soaking from looking for balls. We had a lot of ball searches on the back.”
Weeks, who was greeted on the 18th green by wife Jenny and 16-month-old son Trevor, remains optimistic heading into the final round.
“I grinded today,” said Weeks. “I’m still in a good position because I kept myself in a good spot for the final round. I think I have a good round out there so to be only a couple of strokes out, I might try and get aggressive and see if I can make some birdies tomorrow.”
Adam Kernan of Kamloops made the biggest move up the leaderboard with his even par 72. It could have even been better, according to the Tobiano Golf Club member. “I think there was a 68 out there for me,” said Kernan.
“I was standing on 18, two-under for the round and I got a little too aggressive, made double bogey and finished at even.
I was three-under through 13, bogey free and I had a six, seven footer to get to 4 and then I made a couple of bad bogeys at 14 and 15.”
Kernan did get a stroke back on the 563-yard par-5 16th. “I was 250 yards out after my drive and I laid up to 100 yards and then hit it to 12 feet and I made the putt,” said Kernan. Kernan’s a long hitter, but said he’s only hit four drivers in two days.
As for the final round, Kernan said he hopes the weather improves. “It was a little sloppy out there, but it was nice to have lift, clean and place,” said Kernan.
“I don’t think I need to change much. I just need to limit those few mistakes.” Belton, Weeks and Kernan play in the final pairing off the first hole starting at 9:09 a.m. Thursday.
Lundy was happy not just to lead the Mid-Master leaderboard, but to be in contention for the Mid-Amateur title. “I’m really happy with my day because the course was very difficult and played very long today,” said Lundy. “I’ll try and put a good number up tomorrow, but my goal is to have fun and enjoy a good day with my friends out here.”
There is also a "Best-Ball Competition" where players may make up their own 2-man teams from the field. This championship is a best ball conducted over 54 holes.
There’s currently a five-way tie for first at (-6) 138, with the teams of Craig Doell and Kris Yardley; Daniel Brown and Bryan Toth; Norm Bradley and Lance Lundy; Tyson Burch and Jay Snyder; and Imran Gulam and Adam Kernan all vying for the Best Ball title.
The final round of the Mid-Amateur and Mid-Master at Talking Rock starts at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4. Spectators are encouraged to come out to cheer on the competitors. Admission is free.
For full results from the British Columbia Golf Mid-Am and Mid-Master, please CLICK HERE