WASAGAMING — Two former champions hold the lead after Day 1 of the 60th annual Grey Owl golf tournament, presented by IG Wealth Management, at Clear Lake Golf Course.
Brandon’s Jared Jacobson, who captured the 2014 title, and Brandon’s Murray Lindenberg, who claimed the title all the way back in 1978, both fired 1-under-par 71s on Friday to soar to the top of the leaderboard. Jacobson shot 34-37, while Lindenberg turned in nine-hole scores of 37-34.
The rest of the 261-player field will play its first round on Saturday.
The Grey Owl is being played for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jacobson and Lindenberg have a three-shot edge over Brandon’s Jordan Trotter, who carded a 74. Eleven-time Grey Owl champ Garth Collings of Breezy Bend posted a 75, as did Shilo’s Nolan Tutkaluk. The other players who appear destined to qualify for Sunday’s championship flight are Calgary’s Jack McDiarmid, who won the 1974 Grey Owl, and Brandon’s Landon Trotter, who both fired 76.
Defending champion Jay Thiesen (pronounced TEE-sun) of Russell, who will be looking for his third title this weekend, will play his first round on Saturday. Lindenberg has the lead in the Greyer Owl division, which is for those age 60 and over. Collings, the two-time defending Greyer Owl champ, is four shots back, and McDiarmid is five strokes in arrears.
Stephen Johnston of QX104 and 94.3 The Drive has the lead in the Media Flight after shooting 87 on Friday.
The tournament consists of 36 holes over three days. The low 16 and ties after the first round will make up the championship flight, which will tee off on Sunday morning.
DAY 1 TOP SCORES
Jared Jacobson, Brandon 34-37—71
Murray Lindenberg, Brandon 37-34—71
Jordan Trotter, Brandon 36-38—74
Garth Collings, Breezy Bend 36-39—75
Nolan Tutkaluk, Shilo 36-39—75
Jack McDiarmid, Calgary 38-38—76
Landon Trotter, Brandon 38-38—76