Breezy pair share men’s amateur lead

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This article was published 17/07/2020 (2223 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Day 1 at the provincial men’s amateur golf championship was a showcase for a young gun and a seasoned veteran.

Braxton Kuntz, a 16-year-old from Breezy Bend, fired five birdies en route to an opening 2-under 70 in the wind at Morden’s Minnewasta Golf and Country Club Thursday.

Kuntz was joined atop the leaderboard by clubmate Eric Johnson, a 33-year-old who managed three birdies and an eagle on the day.

The 72-hole tournament continues today at Minnewasta before shifting to Glendale Golf and Country Club for Rounds 3 and 4 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Breezy’s Justin McDonald and Ryan Terdik of Pine Ridge were tied for third after opening with 71s.

Kuntz, who lost the provincial junior men’s crown by one shot to Neel Soni of St. Charles on Tuesday, was eager to capitalize on his recent good form.

“I’ve been feeling pretty good about my game ever since the second round of the junior,” said Kuntz via telephone. “I just feel like I’m kinda in a groove.”

Kuntz had played Minnewasta four times previously and had a firm idea about where he could be aggressive.

“I really like the course — I think it’s very gettable,” said Kuntz, who is playingin his first men’s amateur. “I think it has some very easy holes and also some tough holes, so I think there’s the potential to shoot low scores.

“I’d say the par-5s are definitely the easiest part of the course and three of the four played downwind today, so I was able to play the par-5s 3-under. So that’s the key to making birdies, capitalize on the par-5s.”

Johnson, meanwhile, was content with Thursday’s performance.

“I was a little surprised, actually, and didn’t have much expectation,” said Johnson, who serves as the Manitoba sales rep for TaylorMade Golf.

“I haven’t played great this year but I really had it going on the back nine today. I don’t know where that came from but I played very well and just three-putted the last hole or it would’ve been a little better, but that’s golf.

Johnson, who finished 10th at this event in 2019 and was the runner-up two years ago, was 2-over after the front nine Thursday before an eagle on the par-5 10th helped propel him to a late surge.

“I did play fairly conservative off the tee on certain holes because I didn’t remember where exactly the little nuances were (at Minnewasta),” said Johnson.

“I do have maybe a couple of things to change tomorrow, having seen it today. I was trying to not take any super-aggressive lines and stick to the middle of the greens. It worked out pretty well.”

Both Kuntz and Johnson expect to be in contention Sunday.

“I’ve never gone into an event without the desire to win it,” said Kuntz. “I know there’s obviously a lot of competition in it but I still think I have the potential to place high.”

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A victory would be very meaningful for Johnson.

“It would be awesome. I’ve never won the amateur and it’s definitely a goal of mine,” he said. “I have no plans to turn pro, so I plan to play in the amateur until I’m 70 — I’ll have a ton more chances. If it doesn’t happen this week, I have no problem with that. I’ve won mid-am twice, so I’d like to add the amateur to the resumé.”

Defending champion Colwyn Abgrall of Southwood was tied for eighth after Round 1 with a 73.

— staff