Local Sports
Sunset Gold surges to Pot o' Gold lead
MOULTRIE — The Sunset Country Club Gold team took advantage of its familiarity with the course to shoot a tournament record-tying 58 and take a 2-shot lead into today’s final round of the 54th Pot o’ Gold Pro-am at Sunset.
Sunset Gold is at 120, with the International City Golf Club foursome led by pro Jarred Reneau just two strokes back.
Also lurking is Stephen Keppler’s Marietta Country Club team, which is tied the Steve Cutler’s Wynlakes foursome at 123.
Keppler has nine overall Pot o’ Gold titles.
Sunset Gold got a boost from a Kevin Blanton, who shot a 66 on Saturday and has a tournament-leading two-day total of 136.
“I was relaxed,” Blanton said. “I was able to get it up and down.
“I only missed two greens and those were right on the fringe. I did some nice ball-striking.”
But Blanton said his team, which included Sunset pro Bob Windom and fellow amateurs Aaron Elrod and Ernie Venet, helped each other out all afternoon.
“We played fantastic as a team,” Blanton said. “It was nice to see Bob make a couple birdies ahead of us and Elrod and I ham-and-eged it a couple times.
“And Ernie was right there. It’s nice to have him as the team captain.”
The foursome was chasing the single-round tournament record set by Kerry Smith’s tournament-winning team in 2001.
That team included amateurs Andy Blanton, Jack Croyle and Jon Ladson.
Windom helped both of his teams on Saturday, shooting an even-par 72.
The Gold team’s Aaron Elrod shot a 72 and is at 149. Venet shot his second 78 and is 156.
Windom’s Black team is six shots back at 126 after Saturday’s 12-under 62. Brad Eunice led the Black team with a 69 and is at 145. Chad Eunice had a 75 and has a 153 for two rounds.
Jon Ladson also shot a 75 on Saturday and will take a 146 into today’s final round.
Former Colquitt County golfer Andy Blanton and his Country Club of Columbus team was a late addition to the field, but have shot at the title after a 64-63 for a 127.
Andy Blanton followed his first-round 74 with a 67 on Saturday and his 141 one just shot behind low pro leader Steve Cutler of Wynlakes.
A number of Sunset players have played well over the first two rounds.
Greg Coop, playing for Louis McHughes, followed his first-round 68 with a 72 on Saturday and is four shots behind Kevin Blanton.
Colquitt County High senior Clarke Hendrick has 69-73 for a two-day 142.
John Fordham, Hendrick’s Packer teammate, has 71-74 and is sitting at 145.
Jack Faison, playing for the Vero Beach team headed up by Randy Hedgecock, has a two-day 146.
Darin Bentz, who is playing with pro David Beck, put a first-round 81 behind him and shot a 2-under 70 on Saturday.
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