After the cancellation of play on Wednesday due to inclement weather, the opening round of the Coyote Creek Junior Golf Classic was played on Thursday at the Coyote Creek Golf Club - Valley Course. Two FCWT veterans, both seniors,  Nicolas Podesta of Yuba City, CA and Grant Doverspike of Bakersfield, CA, will share the lead as they enter the final round of the Coyote Creek Classic after firing an opening round of 2 under par. Podesta had 5 birdies on the day to lead this division while Doverspike had three and along with Michael Leibfried led the division in pars along with 10. Doverspike won the Bear Creek event in November and came in third at the Mission Hills Invitational just two weeks ago. Podesta and Doverspike will have a three stroke advantage over their final round playing partner, Jason Schulte of Kansas City, MO (2006) who carded 1 of 3 eagles in this division on the par 5 9th hole, came in at +1 (73). The next two threesomes will be tied for 4th entering the final round as Ryan Morkert of Longview, WA (2006), Ryan Collins of Lafayette, CA (2006), who was the comeback story of the day after being 7 over after 10 holes to finish at 3 over, Nick Wilcox of Turlock, CA (2005), Brian Robinson of Pleasanton, CA (2008), who carded an eagle on the par 5 15th hole, Jack Allen of Granite Bay, CA (2006), and Matthew Miller of Pleasanton, CA (2008) are all on 75. Six more players will begin the day tied for 10th after posting opening rounds of 76. In the boys 13-15 division, three players will enter the final round tied for the lead. Chris Capo of Woodland Hills, CA (2010), who finished T6 at the Mission Hills Invitational earlier this month, Reid Martin of Mukilteo, WA (2009), who was the 2003-04 Boys 11-12 National Champion, and FCWT newcomer Cory McElyea of Santa Cruz, CA (2010), who led this division in birdies with 3, all carded rounds of 77 (+5) on Thursday. One stroke back in 4th place is Brian O'Regan of Walnut Creek, CA (2008), who has two 4th place finishes this season at the Sun Devil in November and Grayhawk last week. Quinn Gruber of Aptos, CA (2008) will begin the final round in 5th place - 2 strokes back of the leaders. |
