Kuntz on course for golf history

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This article was published 22/07/2024 (684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Braxton Kuntz finds himself in familiar territory as he tries to swing his way into sporting history.

The three-time reigning men’s Manitoba Amateur champion from Winnipeg holds a share of the lead following the first round of the marquee Golf Manitoba event, which is being held this year at Rossmere and features 114 competitors.

Kuntz, 20, fired a two-under 68 on Monday as he attempts to become the first provincial golfer to win the event four years in a row.

“It’s definitely crossed my mind a few times, obviously in the last week or so, but I really try to narrow in and focus on the process and not the result,” Kuntz, who plays out of Breezy Bend, told the Free Press shortly after signing his scorecard.

“If I can go out and stick to my game, make smart decisions on the course, I know I’ve prepared enough for it. Whether that means I win or not, I’m sure I’ll be in a good position to compete for the trophy come the final round. There’s a lot of good players out here, so you never know.”

Kuntz’s round included an eagle, two birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars as he played in the first group of the morning on a course that was softened up by overnight thunderstorms.

“There was good and bad out there, but I’m pretty happy with it,” said Kuntz, who plans to turn pro next spring after finishing up his senior NCAA Division 1 season at Ball State University in Indiana.

“It’s my final crack at it, so I’m going to try and finish strong.”

Brandon’s Drew Jones and Thunder Bay’s Jaden Jones also shot 68 on Monday to sit in a three-way tie for top spot with Kuntz.

Drew Jones, who plays out of Shilo, had quite a roller-coaster ride with seven birdies, six pars and five bogeys in his round. The 29-year-old is one month removed from suffering a torn MCL while teaching a phys-ed class in whicha student crashed into his knee.

“Course is tough,” he said. “I hit some really good ones and hit a couple sideways. The course penalizes bad shots and rewards good ball-striking, so it’s a great track.”

Jones has previously been in the mix for a Manitoba Amateur championship, including a sizzling seven-under 65 at Neepawa Golf and Country Club to open the 2021 event. He ultimately finished fourth, 13 strokes behind Kuntz. There have been several other close calls in other Golf Manitoba events, too.

“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot of experience… of what it’s like to be in a tournament under the gun,” he said. “I just get more and more comfortable, so I’m excited to see what (Tuesday) brings.”

He, along with Kuntz and Jaden Jones, will be in the final grouping teeing off at 12:48 p.m.

“I don’t think people realize how impressive it is,” he said of what Kuntz has accomplished the last three years.

“I feel like I haven’t really had my best game in a tournament for more than one round. The fact Braxton continues to win when, you’re going to have bad bounces, you’re going to have bad breaks, the fact he just stays above all that is super impressive.”

Jaden Jones made the turn at two-over par, then rattled off birdies at holes 10, 12, 17 and 18 to surge up the leaderboard.

“It’s very exciting. It’s a great opportunity to be out here and playing. Obviously you like to be able to get off to a hot start, and I was able to do that,” said the 22-year-old. “Making the drive (from Thunder Bay), about seven hours, you obviously want to make it worth your while.”

He played in last year’s Amateur, opening with an 87 and following that up with rounds of 69 and 75 to finish 45th.

A trio of golfers — Curtis Markusson from Winnipeg, Zostrianos Giordani-Gross from Brandon and Eric Prokopowich from Dauphin — are one stroke back of the lead after shooting 69. Rossmere member Cameron McIntyre and Ontario’s Nathan Lepore were the only other players not to be over par after shooting 70.

Other notables include 2020 champion Marco Trstenjak of Winnipeg and reigning Men’s Mid-Amateur champion Allan McDonald of Winnipeg, who both shot four-over 74.

“There’s so many good players here. I feel like any day some guy can shoot five or six under, even in the hardest conditions,” said Drew Jones.

The field will be cut to the top 57 and ties — or anyone within 10 strokes of the lead — following completion of Tuesday’s second round. The 54-hole event will then conclude on Wednesday.

Will it be a case of deja vu all over again?

“I do have a lot of expectations on myself, after I’ve been able to have success here,” said Kuntz.

“But golf is one of those sports where you’re not really competing directly against someone else. You’re competing against the course and the field. I’m trying to focus on posting a good number myself. If someone else goes low, good for them.”

The fact he has been there, done that several times before should provide a tactical advantage when it comes to the all-important game between the ears. Only Todd Fanning (1990-92) and R.J. Reith (1933-35) have won three consecutive Manitoba Amateurs on the men’s side. (Marg Homenuik won four consecutive women’s titles from 1961-1964).

In terms of total victories, Reith and Fanning lead the way with five, while Allan Boes captured four.

“I think the nice thing about having an open mindset is you’re just so much more loose,” Kuntz said of his experience playing under pressure.

“If I’m going out there and expecting to birdie every hole then if I hit one bad shot I can get frustrated and it can kind of spiral from there. But if I’m just going out there and enjoying it, then whatever happens, happens.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg