Breezy Bend ball-strikers set for Sunday showdown

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This article was published 17/07/2021 (1846 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The third round of the 110th Nott Autocorp Men’s Amateur at Neepawa Golf and Country Club set the stage for a duel between two members of the same Club as the amateurs squared off Saturday.

At the top of the leaderboard after round three were Ryan Sholdice and Braxton Kuntz, both members of Breezy Bend Country Club leading the pack with rounds in the sixties over Friday and Saturday. Following a solid second round 67, Sholdice stepped up to outdo his Friday showing and finished his third round with six birdies and a bogey free card to shoot 66 placing him with the lead at thirteen under par.

“I hadn’t made any putts the first two rounds, but today they were dropping,” said Sholdice.

“I missed one green today. I’ve hit good strokes all week and today was good.”

Kuntz, who continues to play impressive golf, followed up his 66 on Friday with a 68 on Saturday including an eagle on the card from sinking a 10-foot putt on the ninth hole.

“Starting on the front nine I was striking the ball, probably some of the best I have in a while. Unfortunately the putter wasn’t the best today, but my ball striking made up for it,” said Kuntz.

On the back nine, Kuntz had a quiet nine holes making one bogey and one birdie to wrap up his card.

“I caught a little bit of a lull, I could’ve made a few more putts, but that’s golf,” said Kuntz.

Kuntz is one stroke back at twelve under heading into Sunday’s final round. Drew Jones who played well over the first two rounds posting a 65 and 72, struggled in his third round shooting a 75, placing him nine shots back of the lead. Saturday’s conditions made for easier golf as wind gusts were less severe than Friday. Eight golfers were able to shoot under par with Sholdice having the low round of the day.

Brian Munz, Director of Communications for Golf Manitoba was impressed with the Saturday showing from Kuntz and Sholdice on a challenging course such as Neepawa.

“Two really talented golfers, if you look at what Ryan and Braxton we’re able to do today,” said Munz.

“These guys have been able to start feeling where they had to go with the putter and take advantage of it. When you see how deep they can go on a challenging course it’s fun to watch for sure.”

When asked about facing a fellow member from Breezy Bend, Kuntz and Sholdice were all smiles heading into the potential duel on Sunday.

“I’m just going to try to stick to my game plan, the past three rounds I’ve been very happy with how I played, if I have to be more aggressive in the final stretch I’ll probably pull out a few more longer clubs,” said Kuntz.

“Ryan is a super nice guy, I think it’ll be a fun time, we’re both going to play loose and I don’t think it will be anything too intense.”

“It’ll be good, Braxton is a good player, I’m sure he’ll come lights out again,” said Sholdice.

“He was unstoppable out on the front nine, he missed a couple of putts and could’ve been much lower today.”

Munz said he was excited to see the start of a gallery on Saturday as more parents and golf fans were able to attend the action and expects Sunday to bring a good showing from everyone.

The leaders are scehduled to tee off at 11:32 a.m. on Sunday.

jbernacki@freepress.mb.ca twitter: @JosephBernacki