HARROD – Perhaps it was only fitting that the Lima City Men’s Golf Tournament opened play on the first day of summer.
With perfect weather conditions and a golf course in great shape, the three senior flights began play at Colonial Golfers Club Wednesday morning.
The senior championship flight was led in scoring by the superintendents of two local courses. Dennis Madeiros of Shawnee Country Club and Todd Stump of Wapakoneta Country Club both shot 74 on the day to tie for flight low-scoring honors.
“I hit the driver good and hit a lot of greens, plus I had a couple of up and downs and made a couple of long putts.” Madeiros said in describing his round. “I haven’t been playing a lot, probably only seven or eight times all season. It’s totally awesome I’m going to Shawnee and am looking forward to it.”
Stump and Madeiros both earned byes on Thursday while the other 12 senior championship flight golfers will begin match play at Bluffton Golf Club.
“I hit the ball good on the front and then the driver started going right,” Stump said. “I had a little trouble on the greens as I 3-putted four times. The course is in good shape plus I had a good time.”
Other notable senior championship scores included Bob Schulte and Rick Cheney who both shot 77 while Vince Ozier and Paul Masters fired 79’s.
Senior Championship flight match play is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
Senior Open flight play scoring was led by Dave Schimmoeller and David Lowry who both fired 81 on the day to earn byes in today’s opening round of match play. Norm Swaney (83) and Tom Kottenbrock (85) also earned byes and the right to move on to Shawnee CC on Friday.
“It was a beautiful day and I hit some good shots and some bad shots”. Schimmoeller said. “Overall I was pretty consistent today; I tried to keep it away from the trees and I made some really nice putts.”
Senior Open flight match play begins at 8:40 a.m.
The Super Senior flight, for golfers over the age of 60, was led by a fine 71 by Ted Keysor. John Gronas shot 75 while Denny Thompson and Mike McGough fired 76’s.
The Super Senior flight had 23 golfers and will be divided into two flights for match play beginning at 8 a.m.
Thompson, the boys’ basketball coach at Elida, missed last years’ tournament after having both knees replaced and was pleased to be back.
“It has been a year since my surgery and I’m finally able to do things without thinking about it.” Thompson said. “I didn’t miss a fairway on the front and shot 34, then, I hit only one fairway on the back and shot 42. I missed a couple of short putts but overall am pleased.”
All three flight match winners on Thursday earn the right to advance to quarter-final, semi-final, and final action Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Shawnee Country Club.
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