Waterford's Dovre leads at Syron Memorial
WATERFORD TWP. — Conventional wisdom was certainly thrown out the window on the first day of the 45th annual Frank Syron Tournament at Pontiac Country Club on Friday.
With seemingly more rain falling in the area than on a tropical island during hurricane season in recent weeks, greens were like glue with the long approach shots sticking, which would generally mean more birdie opportunities, and thus lower scores.
But despite the soft greens, scores were surprisingly high.
Last year, scores of 65 and 66 were posted in the first round, but the lowest score during the first of three rounds on Friday was a 69.
That score was produced early by Waterford resident Eric Dovre, who teed off in the morning and shot a 3-under par round of 69 to take a one-shot lead over a group of four golfers heading into Saturday’s second round.
Of course, the trade-off to shots not going anywhere once they landed on the greens is that the course was playing longer since there was little fairway roll on drives.
Still, the high scores on what was a warm, humid day to boot were noticeable in a field that has 141 competitors.
“I am pretty surprised the scores were this high,” said 21-year old Clarkston resident Nick Robeson, one of the four golfers who shot a 70 to finish one shot behind Dovre.
“I think the soft greens were perfect. Wherever you hit it, that’s where it would stand.”
Robeson actually was on the verge of being the first-round leader after 15 holes because he was at 4-under par. But a bogey on the par-3 16th and a three-put for bogey on the par-5 18th put him at 2-under par, although that isn’t the end of the world.
With seemingly more rain falling in the area than on a tropical island during hurricane season in recent weeks, greens were like glue with the long approach shots sticking, which would generally mean more birdie opportunities, and thus lower scores.
But despite the soft greens, scores were surprisingly high.
Last year, scores of 65 and 66 were posted in the first round, but the lowest score during the first of three rounds on Friday was a 69.
That score was produced early by Waterford resident Eric Dovre, who teed off in the morning and shot a 3-under par round of 69 to take a one-shot lead over a group of four golfers heading into Saturday’s second round.
Of course, the trade-off to shots not going anywhere once they landed on the greens is that the course was playing longer since there was little fairway roll on drives.
Still, the high scores on what was a warm, humid day to boot were noticeable in a field that has 141 competitors.
“I am pretty surprised the scores were this high,” said 21-year old Clarkston resident Nick Robeson, one of the four golfers who shot a 70 to finish one shot behind Dovre.
“I think the soft greens were perfect. Wherever you hit it, that’s where it would stand.”
Robeson actually was on the verge of being the first-round leader after 15 holes because he was at 4-under par. But a bogey on the par-3 16th and a three-put for bogey on the par-5 18th put him at 2-under par, although that isn’t the end of the world.
“It’s all right,” Robeson said. “I’d rather not sleep on the lead. I’ll just be one-shot back and go get them tomorrow.”
Since no incredibly-low score was put on the board during the first day, the second and third rounds figure to be a mad scramble to the finish line since there are 32 golfers within five shots of the lead.
In addition to Robeson, Scott Jaschuk and Andy Alvey of Milford, and Sean Friel of Rochester Hills are one shot back.
Dovre, Jaschuk, Robeson and Alvey will comprise the final group for the second round and will tee off at 1 p.m.
Sitting at 71 and two shots back are Justin Sharrard and Danny Wood of Waterford, Raymond Emsley of Davisburg and Larry Sterling, Jr. of Shelby Township.
A group of eight golfers is three shots back at 72.
“The course is in decent shape for having the amount of rain we had,” Sharrard said. “It was just a normal day at Pontiac Country Club.”
Since no incredibly-low score was put on the board during the first day, the second and third rounds figure to be a mad scramble to the finish line since there are 32 golfers within five shots of the lead.
In addition to Robeson, Scott Jaschuk and Andy Alvey of Milford, and Sean Friel of Rochester Hills are one shot back.
Dovre, Jaschuk, Robeson and Alvey will comprise the final group for the second round and will tee off at 1 p.m.
Sitting at 71 and two shots back are Justin Sharrard and Danny Wood of Waterford, Raymond Emsley of Davisburg and Larry Sterling, Jr. of Shelby Township.
A group of eight golfers is three shots back at 72.
“The course is in decent shape for having the amount of rain we had,” Sharrard said. “It was just a normal day at Pontiac Country Club.”
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