Published: June 17, 2009 11:37 pm      

Several golfers make most of conditions

Smith, Alford lead boys division

BELLEFONTE — Instead of a rainy afternoon forecast, golfers received excellent scoring conditions Wednesday for the opening round of the Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior.

Nine boys and girls’ leader Emma Talley broke par in the 26th annual tournament at Bellefonte Country Club.

Tyler Smith of Brentwood, Tenn., and Josh Alford of Marion, Ark., grabbed the early lead with 4-under-par 66s in the 90-player boys division.

Smith, coming off two Top 10 finishes this spring, continued his strong play with five birdies. He saved two of them for the final two holes, including a 35-footer on No. 18.

“I just kept the ball in play and made a couple of putts here and there,’’ said Smith, 17. “I hit a few wedge shots that stuck.’’

Last year, Smith tied for seventh here with rounds of 74-74-70.

“The course was playing a little harder last year,’’ Smith said. “Everything was a lot firmer.’’

Many players opt to leave their driver in the bag on Bellefonte’s tight fairways, but Smith bombed away.

“I’m more of a longball hitter,’’ he said. “If I can hit the fairways on this course, I’ve got wedges or short irons in my hands. I hit driver the first couple of times and got comfortable.’’

Alford’s score exceeded his early expectations.

“I kept it steady all day and didn’t miss too many fairways or greens,’’ he said. “I honestly came in here trying to shoot around even. I’ve been struggling with lots of three and four-putts recently, but today I had none and I’m pleased with that.’’

Alford, playing in the first group of the day, birdied two of the first three holes and connected for three more on the back nine.

Qualifier medalist Daniel DeLuca and Hager Collins — both from Lexington — along with Jordan Lowery of Gilbert, Ariz., are just one shot off the lead.

Area player Jared Flanery thrust himself into contention with a 68.

“Scoring conditions were good today,’’ said Flanery, an Elliott County graduate who has signed with Morehead State University. “The greens were pretty soft from the rain we’ve had. You could fire at the flag and it would stick there.’’

Flanery bogeyed three of the first of the first six holes, but also had an early birdie and said a good par putt on No. 7 got him going. He reeled off birdies on 9, 10, 14 and 16.

“Two under is a good, solid score to put up the first day,’’ Flanery said of his first tournament of the season. “That’s all I can ask for. I’m happy to be in the hunt.’’

Andrew Cho of Howey in The Hills, Fla., is tied with Flanery for sixth place. Defending champion Justin Thomas of Goshen, Ky., and Korey Ward of West Chester, Ohio, are next at 69.

In the girls division, Talley is threatening to run away from the field if an injury doesn’t stop her. A rising sophomore at Caldwell County in western Kentucky, Talley made three birdies on the back nine for a 2-under-par 68 and five-shot cushion.

“Today I shot better than I played,’’ Talley said. “Hopefully I can play better tomorrow and shoot the same or lower.’’

Talley’s game is one the rise. Last fall, she shot 10-under-par to win the Kentucky high school tournament and two weeks ago she captured the John Deere Classic in Iowa at 7-under.

“I’ve been working in the gym,’’ Talley said. “I had a good winter and I’m getting more distance for sure.’’

Talley’s only mishap Wednesday came when she fell on the cart path on No. 17 and hurt her ankle. She finished her round with a birdie and then iced the ankle.

“I think I’ll be OK,’’ she said.

Taylor Manning of Brentwood, Tenn., and Emily Haas of Nicholasville, Ky., share second place with 73s.

Today’s second round begins at 7 a.m.

Rare collision

Two boys’ players, blocked from each other’s view, simultaneously hit chip shots on No. 15 and the balls collided on the green. The ruling resulted in no penalty.

Yancey recipients

Ten golfers from Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia received Yancey Scholarship checks in the amount of $250 during a players’ cookout after Wednesday’s first round. The group included Morgan Dobbins, Nick Huggins, Grant McKenzie, Andrew Holtzapfel, Brooke Bellomy, Aaron Barnia, Katy Humphrey, Brian Anania, Josh Robinette and Jeff Meade. The checks served as reimbursement for expenses from playing in the tournament.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.