AMERICAN FORK — An average day of golf wasn't very impressive for the opening round of the Fox Hollow Open on Saturday.
To be among the leaders in the very strong field heading into today's final round, it took a great round of golf. Thirty eight players toured the Fox Hollow (formerly Tri City Golf Course) at even par or better. Twenty four of those players, including leaders Scott Clark and Jon Linnett who fired 7-under par 65s, are amateurs. Greg Hunt and Dustin Pimm, tied for third at 66, are also amateurs. In fact, amateurs dominated the day, with 10 of the top 15 scores belonging to non-professionals.
The low professional is Zach Johnson, at 5-under 67. Dave DeSantis is next with a 68, while Ryan Rhees, Mark Owen and Bruce Summerhays Jr. are a shot back at 69.
The other amateurs breaking the 70 mark were Tyson McFarland and Nick VanVuuren at 68, with Garrett Moss, Brecken Varah, Tony Finau and Kirk Siddens all shooting 69.
One advantage many of the amateurs had was most played in the calmer morning conditions, while all of the professionals teed off in the afternoon. The professionals will again tee off today with the afternoon shotgun start.
Fox Hollow Open
First-round scores
Par-72 Fox Hollow Golf Course, American Fork
65 — Scott Clark (a), Jon Linnett (a)
66 — Dustin Pimm (a), Greg Hunt (a)
67 — Zach Johnson
68 — Dave DeSantis, Tyson McFarland (a), Nick VanVuuren (a)
69 — Mark Owen, Ryan Rhees, Bruce Summerhays Jr., Garrett Moss (a), Brecken Varah (a), Tony Finau (a), Kirk Siddens (a)
70 — Chris Moody, Eric Nielsen, Jake Peterson, Eric Nilsson (a), Chad Hauser (a), Cory Matthews (a)
71 — Kim Thompson, Troy Watkins, Todd Barker (a), Nick Killpack (a), Doug Bybee (a), Andrew Duval (a)
72 — Mike Borich, Scott Erling, Kury Reynolds, Dan Horner (a), Herb Lyons (a), Nathan Page (a), Jeremy Richmond (a), Nick Brost (a), Dallas Dorton (a), Tyson Lund (a)
E-mail: jimr@desnews.com