Open Flights battle at Bluffton

BLUFFTON - The weather was beautiful and the golf course was in wonderful condition according to all the Open Flight participants who competed in Wednesday's Lima City Men's Golf Championship at Bluffton Golf Club.

Senior Open Flight action saw mostly large margins of victories with only three matches that could be described as close.

Harry Marshall bested Randy Keeler 3-and-2; David Meyer beat Mike Dotson 2-up and Dave Windau took 20 holes to win 1-up over Mike Walsh.

"The course was in immaculate condition and the greens were the best I putted on all year," Dotson said. "I was 2-up going into hole 13 and dropped one into the water and that opened the door for him to come back."

Denny Watt, Carl Neely, Thomas Kottenbrock, Eugene Jackson, Steve Creps, David Shilling, Larry Sidener, Tim Larimore, Phil Coleman and Bob Johns all won their matches by comfortable margins to advance to Lost Creek Country Club for match play beginning at 8:10 a.m. today.

"I was pretty much on today; I probably can't play much better." Sidener said after his 8-and-6 victory over Bernie Wheeler. "I was only one or two over and thought the course was in great shape."

Phil Coleman advanced with a 6-and-4 win over Dave Mauch.

"I played better today and my iron game was really on," Coleman said. "I hit mostly three-wood off the tee to keep it in play."

First flight action saw the number one seed struggle and the number two seed get upset.

Mark Murphy managed a 2-and-1 win over Chris Lauck while Eric West lost in 20 holes to Bill Lumpkins.

"I birdied the first three holes and missed a 5-footer for birdie on number four. I was 4-up through the first eight holes," Lumpkins said. "I drove it well and putted well; I tried to give it away but he just wouldn't take it."

Others to advance to Lost Creek in First Flight action included Brian Hennon, Greg Stumbaugh, Gabe Butterfield, Bob Shipp, Scott West, Jed Dorsey, Adam Shultz, Josh Meihls, Ken Winget, Clark Luginbuhl, Dan Bradford, Chris Inskeep and Chris Cotner.

"I hit it very well, much better than (Tuesday)," Stumbaugh said. "I was able to place the ball on the proper area of the green and the greens rolled well."

The Second and Third flights are set to begin match play after two days of stroke play.

Leading the way in the second flight is Eric Worsham (85-77, 162) while Cameron Baker (81-82, 163) earned the number two seed.

Boyd Rader earned the top seed in the third flight with a two day total of 176 while Brad Pethel is the number two seed also at 176.

Second flight action tee times begin at 9:30 a.m. while the third flight tees off starting at 10:10 a.m.