Marty Jacks is off to a quick start on the local golf circuit this year with a win at the Bountiful Amateur and several top-10 finishes.
The 25-year-old former Weber State golfer also got off to a fast start at the Salt Lake City Amateur Saturday by firing a 6-under-par 66 to take a two-stroke lead after 18 holes of the 36-hole tournament, which concludes today at Bonneville Golf Course.
Two shots back at 68 are former City Am champion and three-time State Amateur champion Doug Bybee and 18-year-old Ben Smuin, who graduates from Olympus High School this week.
Another shot back at 69 are three golfers, former City Am champion Ryan Job, University of Utah golfer Pete Stone and Tommy Sharp, who just completed his college career at Colorado State.
"I putted well today," said Jacks, who capped off his fine round by draining a 30-foot putt at the 18th hole. He also made birdies at 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 16 along with two bogeys.
Jacks has no explanation for his success this year except to say, "my golf swing has improved, I'm getting the ball in play and making putts."
The 42-year-old Bybee is coming off a year when he hardly played due to shoulder surgery. He had the surgery on his left shoulder last May and expected to be playing again in six weeks, but instead wasn't able to swing a club until November.
Bybee played his usual consistent game, making no bogeys on the day with four birdies and a bunch of pars. "It's just nice to be out here," said Bybee, who missed being away from golf for almost a year.
Smuin, who teed off early in the morning, made five birdies with a lone bogey coming at No. 12. Defending champion Brandon Hargett finished with a 74 after playing in the Provo Open earlier in the day.
Jacks, Bybee and Stone play in the same group this afternoon, while Smuin and Sharp tee off in the morning.