Ault in prime position

Many golfers started moving day at the 61st Fort Dodge Amateur battling for positioning or trying to make the final cut.

Instead it turned into a battle with the wind, as most competitors simply tried to grind out a decent round.

Fort Dodge's Kevin Ault backed up his first round score of 66 with a 69 to reach seven-under par in the open division and pad his lead heading into the final round.

Meanwhile, the senior division had its leaderboard shaken up a bit with a 68 from Fort Dodge's Tom Kesterson. Kesterson is deadlocked with Tom Schill of Gowrie at 146.

Bob Niemann is in control of the super-senior division with a 154.

Ault will take a four-stroke lead over former Humboldt standout Jeff Panek into the final round, while Kirby Pettitt (72-68) of Carroll is just off the pace at 140.

Defending champion Cody Schweinefus of Decorah is at one-under 141 (71-70).

"I wanted to try to get as big of advantage as I could and not leave any strokes out there," said Ault, a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate. "This is the score I was looking for; it puts me in a good spot heading into the last round.

"There are a lot of good players out there, though, and anybody could go low in the final round. It is going to be interesting to see how it all plays out."

Ault started the day with a birdie at the par-five 10th. After grinding through of the round, Ault was able to go out on a high note, making birdies on three of his last four holes - Nos. 6, 7 and 9.

Firmer greens and a 15- to 20-mile per hour wind made it a struggle at times.

"I had to grind all day long. The wind definitely made it that type of day; it was easier to hit poor shots," said Ault, the Lakeside Course manager who has yet to capture an FD Am crown. "I was very pleased to finish strong and post another score under par."

There are currently 10 golfers between the one and two over mark, leaving a logjam of contenders still in the mix. The scoring average from day two went up over two strokes compared to the first day of action.

"The wind really makes it tough, especially when it is swirling like it was in the morning," said Justin Pansegrau of Tama, who is tied for fifth place. "Combine that with the fact that greens that are a little firmer, and it makes for some tougher conditions."

Jeff Panek of Urbandale - a former Humboldt standout - continued to fire consistent rounds and earn a spot alone at second place. Panek is four strokes behind Ault at 139.

Panek's second round recorded five birdied mixed in with three bogeys to fire a two-under 69 after carding a 70 for the opening round.

"My irons have been keeping me in good shape, and I was able to get my putter going. Either way, I have been lucky enough to create a lot of opportunities," said Panek. "A lot that can happen from here, so hopefully, I will be able to create more opportunities."

Colorado State sophomore-to-be Kirby Pettitt of Carroll fired a strong round on the opening day to break free from the pack and slide into third place. Pettitt shot a 68 after a 72 on Friday.

Defending champion and Drake golfer Cody Schweinefus of Decorah had a one-under par effort on the second day to place himself at one under for the tourney.

"I know I am still capable of winning after coming from behind to win last year," said Schweinefus. "I haven't done anything great yet, but I still have given myself a chance heading into the final 18."

Tim Lathrop, Algona's Josh Manske, Ben Herrera, Tyler Johnson, ex-Fort Dodge Dodger Cory Braunschweig, Nate McCoy and Pansegrau are all one over par for the open.

The senior bracket was not as stagnant as the open, with a lead change coming from the play of Tom Schill and Tom Kesterson. Schill and Kesterson are tied for the lead at 146.

Kesterson, who lives in Fort Dodge during the summer, was tied for 15th place after the opening round, but made a huge jump on the second day by firing a two-under par 69. Kesterson birdied holes 1, 6, 10 and 17.

"I never really put myself in any trouble, which was something that I struggled with in first round," said Kesterson. "I went out with a new focus and was able to reach my goals."

Schill carded a 72 after a 74 on day one. He recorded four birdies and five bogeys in his round.

"I am swinging well and keeping everything down the middle," said Schill. "I need to continue to strike the ball well, because there are a lot of holes left and great players out there."

Bruce Grenier of Clive is behind by just one stroke after holding the lead on the first day. Mike Duea is also at 147 and will play in the final pairing for the senior as well.

Bob Niemann took control of the super senior division by carding a 76, setting his two day total at 154. Fort Dodge's Phil Joselyn (160) is in second after taking the lead on the first day.

Ken Whitehead (161) and Jim Wilke (165) are just behind.

"The weather made the round a higher scoring one for the field, but I am very happy with what I shot," said Niemann. "I shot the round I was looking for,"

The final round of the FD Am will continue here today, with tee times running from 7:30 until 10 a.m. in 10-minute increments. Ault tees off with Panek, Pettitt and Schweinefus at 8:50 a.m. on hole No. 1; Schill, Kesterson, Duea and Greiner start at 10 a.m. on the first hole.

Contact Brady Johnson at (515) 573-2141 or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net

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