Spellerberg Leads Nebraska Mid-Amateur after Round One
First Round Conducted Saturday at Norfolk Country Club
NORFOLK (August 28, 2021) - Only two players broke par on Saturday at the 23rd Nebraska Mid-Amateur Championship, and Bennington's Johnny Spellerberg put together the low round to lead by two strokes after the first round at Norfolk Country Club.
On a breezy day in Norfolk, Spellerberg quickly broke into red figures and posted a round of 68 (-4) to take the lead. The 2010 Nebraska Junior Match Play Champion leads by two strokes over Lance Lawson, a Norfolk native, at 70 (-2).
Spellerberg kick-started his round with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 12 and 13, after starting on No. 10. His only blemish of the day came on the par-3 17th, where he made bogey. He made the turn in 35 (-1), and went over to the typically more difficult front nine.
The birdies kept flowing for Spellerberg though, as he knocked one down on the par-5 first hole, then added another on the next par 5, No. 6. By the time he got to his final hole, No. 9, he was one of just two players left under par, at 3-under. Spellerberg made a long birdie putt to the table-top hole location on the ninth to get in at 4-under.
Lawson, playing alongside Spellerberg, also found red figures early on, with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13. He also made the turn in 35 (-1), after a bogey on No. 16. Lawson made three birdies on the front nine too, but couldn't avoid a double-bogey on No. 4. His 70 (-2) leaves him two strokes back, but two strokes clear of third.
The defending champion looms in third at 72 (E). Omaha's Andy Sajevic recorded a steady round with three birdies and three bogeys, and he'll join Spellerberg and Lawson in the final group on Sunday.
Four players are tied for fourth at 73 (+1), including Gretna's Brian Csipkes, Norfolk's Lance Morrow, Omaha's Andrew Bradshaw and Lincoln's Matthew Unruh.
A large group of seven players finished at 74 (+2), tied for eighth. Highlighting that group is three-time Champion Travis Minzel of Lincoln.
Pairings for the final round are available on the championship website below, along with the scoring page and additional information.
Nebraska Mid-Amateur Championship
About the NGA
The Nebraska Golf Association, founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by the NGA. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
