Jon Lindstrom of Lakewood Country Club, aiming to become the third player to win the CGA Mid-Amateur at least three consecutive years, grabbed the first-round lead on Friday after shooting a 3-under-par 69 at Keystone Ranch Golf Course.
Lindstrom, who’s won the Mid-Am in 2008, ’15 and ’16, birdied his final two holes and finished with five birdies and two bogeys on the day.
Should the Broomfield resident win on Sunday, he’d join Keith Humerickhouse (2010-13) and Rick DeWitt (1999-2002) as a winner of this event at least three straight years.
Five players share second second place at 70, including 2014 champion Chris Thayer of Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, the 2015 and ’16 CGA Mid-Amateur Player of the Year who carded three birdies on Friday. Also at 70 at Pete Mangold of Columbine Country Club, who recently qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur (as did Lindstrom), 2016 CGA Senior Player of the Year Robin Bradbury of Walnut Creek, Michael Slutzky of Cherry Hills Country Club and Shawn Sutton of Elmwood Golf Course. Slutzky eagled the 527-yard first hole on Friday and played the par-5s in 4 under par.
Among those at 71 are Robert Polk of Colorado Golf Club, the 2007 Mid-Am champion.
The 84-man field will be cut to the low 40 players and ties after Saturday’s second round. Among those who will have to rally to stick around for Sunday’s final round is Humerickhouse, who needed to birdie his final two holes on Friday to shoot 80.
The Mid-Amateur is limited to players 25 and older.
For scores from the Mid-Am, CLICK HERE.
