Jon Lehman, a former Savannah State University golfer, is playing in the 2012 Savannah City Amateur to keep his game sharp.
Danny Nelson, who donated a kidney to his wife, Kathy, in June 2011, is playing to prove that he can make a successful comeback. The three-time City Amateur champion (1990, ’92, ’98) took eight months off from the game and did not begin playing regularly until this spring.
Both golfers are in contention for the championship, which will be determined today at Bacon Park Golf Course.
Lehman, 28, is the leader after shooting a 2-under-par 69 in the first round Saturday.
Nelson, 50, shot a 1-under 70 and is tied for second place with Doug Hanzel, a five-time City Am champion (2001, ’03-04, ’06-07).
“It’s definitely a goal of mine to win it,” said Lehman, who is playing in the event for the first time.
A 2008 SSU graduate, Lehman was encouraged to play in the City Am by his former SSU teammate, Zac Gelow, who also is competing. Gelow’s father, Art, is the golf coach at SSU and he coached both of them. Lehman now lives on St. Simons Island and works as a caddie at three golf courses on Sea Island.
“The front (nine) was a little rough,” Lehman said of his round. “I had kind of a slow start. I shot 3-over through seven holes so I was kind of struggling. But I hung in there and stayed patient. Birdied No. 8, got it to 2 over on the front and started hitting on the back side a little bit. Bogeyed No. 11. That should be a birdie hole. But take that hole out and I’m pretty happy with my day.
“I was hitting the drive pretty solid all day, putting myself in good shape on the fairway. And my putter felt pretty good. That’s always the key.”
Wet conditions have made the course challenging.
“It’s been very difficult,” tournament director Bob Elmore said. “We’ve had over 20 inches of rain here in August, so we’ve really been under the weather.”
Elmore noted the field, which started Saturday with 68 players, includes three women.
“It’s a lower (total) number than we normally have,” Elmore said. “It’s a little bit higher than the last couple of years. We used to have 168-170 players. But economy-wise, people are just kind of cutting back nowadays.”
Saturday’s weather was sunny with a light breeze. A similar forecast is expected today.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a nice day,” Lehman said. “Jack Hall, Doug Hanzel, Danny Nelson, I know those guys are playing good, so I know I have to do something to keep pace with them.” read more…
