Mount Vernon News

Anderson retains slim lead

HOWARD — Josh Anderson felt relieved about two things after finishing the third round of play at the Ohio Public Golf Association Publinx State Amateur Championship Thursday. First, and foremost, is the fact he held on to a one stroke lead; Anderson shot a 69 to put him at 206. Secondly, returning to the air conditioned clubhouse allowed him to escape the 90-plus degree weather outside.

“It was very hot today. It has been pretty hot all week so I’m getting used to it by now,” said Anderson. “It was nice to get in here (clubhouse) into the air conditioning, though.”

Since his second round score of 65, Anderson has managed to stay ahead of top contenders Tom Ballinger (207), Tyler Tarney (207), Steve Paramore (210) and Scotty Jones (211).

Jones shared the lead with Ballinger after round one at 69. Three strokes back from the pair, Anderson fired away in round 2 taking a one stroke lead. He has continued his drive towards the year’s title ever since.

Paired up with Ballinger and Jones, Anderson found a connection that stretched farther than the golf course.

A member of the 2000 Malone College NAIA National Championship golf team, Anderson traded stories with Jones, a recent graduate of the Pioneers’ program. Both men picked up national honors during their time at Malone. The duo never played at the same time, but still had plenty to discuss.

“It was fun playing with him,” said Anderson. “We were talking about professors we both had.”

Small talk aside, Anderson had a fairly smooth day on the course and hopes to stay in contention for the victory during today’s round. In 2003, he was runner-up at the OPGA Publinx championships but has never captured a first place finish. If things go well tomorrow his name will join the many others engraved on the championship trophy.

“It was kind of a strange day,” said Anderson. “I missed a lot of short putts and made a few long ones. Hopefully tomorrow I can work on that and make tomorrow happen.”

Notes: Wyatt Worthington of Reynoldsburg shot a low round score Thursday of 66. He sits nine strokes back from the leading scorer heading into the final round of play. ... Sixty-five men made the cut of 225 in round three. Five Mount Vernon natives advanced, including Mike Crouch and his son, Brad. In an interview on Tuesday, Mike was optimistic that both men would make the cut. His nephew, 15-year-old T.T. Crouch, missed the cut by five strokes. So far, Uncle Mike remains the leading scorer of the Crouch family. Other local qualifiers are Scott Savage (223), Andy Marsell (224) and Brad Shuff (225). Tim Cunnigham of Fredericktown and Anthony Savage, a member of the Mount Vernon University golf team, missed the mark by two strokes. ... Last year’s winner, Chris Miller of New Philadelphia, trails the leader by 11 strokes. His father, Tim, who made Thursday’s cut, decided to withdraw from round 3.