-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Cole Donielson of San Antonio tees off during Fort Dodge Amateur tournament on Friday

Willis Gaer had a strong opening round at the Fort Dodge Amateur, going two-under-par 69 at the Country Club.

Four-time Senior champion and Open division champion Dave Sergeant also got off to a quick start, shooting a one-under-par 70 and is tied with Terry Cook.

Gaer, who started on hole 10, got off to a quick start, recording four birdies in his first nine holes. Gaer’s only hiccup came with a bogey on 16.

On the front nine, he shot a par-35 to finish at 69.

Sergeant, who teed off on No. 1 shot three-under (32) on the front nine, including three birdies. On the back, the four-time champion had a double-bogey, bogey and birdie to finish two-over (38) and record a 70.

In the Open Division, Niel Doak is one stroke behind Gaer with a 69. Doak had six birdies on the day. He shot two-under on the back nine.

Henry Weresh (70) and Fort Dodge native Ryan Reeder (70) both shot one-under par.

Weresh had three birdies and two bogeys. Reeder finished his round with four birdies and three bogeys.

Defending champion Joe Urbanek shot even par (71) and is sitting in fifth place.

Webster City graduate Avery Fuhs, Matt Pitts and Andrew Huseman (72) are all tied for sixth. Two-time champion and Fort Dodge graduate Kevin Ault is tied with Carson Caylor and Cody Jaeschke for ninth, after they all recorded 73s.

On the senior side, Cook had a birdie and bogey on the front nine to finish at par. On the back nine, he had one birdie to come in the clubhouse at 70.

Todd Hingtegen is sitting in third place with an even-par 71. Hingtegen had four birdies in his round.

Bret Taylor, Ron Peterson and Jim Campbell all shot 72s and are currently in fourth place.

Jay Slings is in seventh after a round of 73.

Tom Christensen, Pat Ryan and Frank Chiodo all shot 74s and round out the Top-10.

Sergeant’s 70 held up as the top score on the Super Senior side.

David Studer shot a five-over-par (76) and is in second. Harold Hickman (77) and Steve Kahler (78) are in third and fourth respectively.

Rounding out the Top-5 is a three-way tie with Michael Mumma (80), Tim Taylor (80) and Randy Studer (80).

Action continues today with tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Leaderboard

Open Division

1. Willis Gaer 68

2. Niel Doak 69

3. Henry Weresh 70

(tie) Ryan Reeder 70

5. Joe Urbanek 71

6. Avery Fuhs 72

(tie) Matt Pitts 72

(tie) Andrew Huseman 72

9. Carson Caylor 73

(tie) Kevin Ault 73

(tie) Cody Jaeschke 73

12. David Pratt 74

(tie) Logan Schweinefus 74

(tie)Austi Morrow 74

(tie) Jordan Anderson 74

16. Wes Buntenbach 75

(tie) Tanner Randall 75

18. Austin Reynold 77

(tie) Cole Donielson 77

(tie) Ryan Horner 77

(tie) Brody Boston 77

(tie) Jared Gillespie 77

(tie) Lucas Peed 77

Senior Divison

1. Dave Sergeant 70

(tie) Terry Cook 70

3. Todd Hingtgen 71

4. Bret Taylor 72

(tie) Ron Peterson 72

(tie) Jim Campbell 72

7. Jay Slings 73

8. Tom Christensen 74

(tie) Pat Ryan 74

(tie) Frank Chiodo 74

Super Senior DIVISION

1. Dave Sergeant 70

2. David Studer 76

3. Harold Hickman 77

4. Steve Kahler 78

5. Michael Mumma 80

(tie) Tim Taylor 80

(tie) Randy Studer 80