Petro Among Leaders At AJGA
WARSAW – Warsaw is going to be more than just a host at the American Junior Golf Association Stonehenge Junior Open.
Joking with his playing partners before teeing off in the first round Tuesday morning, Will Petro let the cat out of the bag Stonehenge Country Club was his home course to Conor Rooney of Whitefish, Mont., and Tim Graham of Clarendon Hills, Ill. Walking the walk, Petro shot one of his best recorded rounds at Stonehenge, a two-under 69, to land in a big group just off the lead after the first round of the Open.
Petro is one of six golfers from Warsaw Community High School to be able to make the claim the course is his home plot for the tournament. Four of those golfers were active in the morning round, led by Jonny Hollar shooting a respectable three-over 74 in his first round while Josh Ahlersmeyer turned in a six-over 77. Reid Cameron fell apart in round one, shooting 24 over for a 95.
Ryan Cultice was eight over in the afternoon session, shooting a 79 and Brandon Eckert was two back of Cultice at 81.
Leading the way after one round was Orion Yamat of Niles, Ill., and Thomas Calbi of South Barrington, Ill., who both posted a remarkable four-under 67. Russell Matos of Lombard, Ill., Matthew Lavery of Peoria, Ill., and Jens Verhey of Reno, Nev., all were three under and one shot back of the lead. Petro stood with a group of over a half-dozen at two-under.
The girls tourney got under way in the afternoon and Danielle Nicholson of Geneva, Ohio, is the clubhouse leader with an even round of 71, two shots better than Granger’s Kari Bellville. The Penn star shot a two-over 73. Fort Wayne’s Jaycee Bunner shot seven-over to card a 78 in her first round.
Round two will begin early Wednesday morning and the championship round will take place Thursday.
Click for complete round scoring, or visit the AJGA website.
2013 AJGA Stonehenge Junior Open, Stonehenge Country Club, Par 71
*Area golfers
Will Petro, Warsaw, -2 69
Michael Sharp, Kendallville, -1 70
Tyler Green, Columbia City, +1 72
Michael Makris, South Bend, +2 73
Zach Gurtner, Bremen, +2 73
Tyler Prentkowski, North Liberty, +2 73
Callahan Elzey, Fort Wayne, +3 74
Michael Filler, Fort Wayne, +3 74
Jonny Hollar, Warsaw, +3 74
Josh Ahlersmeyer, Warsaw, +6 77
Ryan Cultice, Warsaw, +8 79
Brandon Eckert, Warsaw, +10 81
Reid Cameron, Warsaw, +24 95
Kari Bellville, Granger, +2 73
Jaycee Bunner, Fort Wayne, +7 78