Trio Leads Calhoun County Tournament

Calhoun County, AL Calhoun County, AL The reigning champion’s huge week continues, tying to Fite and Cole in the lead after just one round in the Wilfred Galbraith Invitational

By Joe Medley

Jacob LeCroy accomplished a long-held dream when he made it to his first Southern Amateur Championship on Thursday and on Friday, he was able to move closer to a second target.

Achieving his dream tournaments.

Donnie Ho graduate as well as University of South Alabama senior golfer scored a 3-under-par 67 to tie Ty Cole and Freeman Fite in the lead after just one round in the Wilfred Galbraith Invitational held at Anniston Country Club.

The third point event in the 2023 Calhoun County Golf Tour marks LeCroy’s debut appearance. The event also takes place at his home course where he scored 10 under par during the three-round competition and racked up an impressive 13-stroke win in the previous year.

“It is very important to me because it’s my course at home which is where I’ve played for all my life for the majority of the time,” LeCroy said. “I play here every day and try my best but I also recognize that there are plenty of other top golfers who play here and play the same way.”

LeCroy’s impressive round on Friday follows a day when the 66 he shot on the course at the Tuscaloosa’s Indian Hills Country Club Sto finish second in second place in the Southern Amateur Championship qualifier. The winner was Ford Goldaisch, of Homewood was the winner by shooting a 65. Birmingham’s Chase Keys tied LeCroy at 5 under.

Three golfers have been able to qualify.

“I’ve tried to accomplish this for about four years and finally came over the hurdle,” LeCroy said.

The Southern Amateur qualifier, LeCroy scored four birdies on his front nine before he hit 18 to make the 5-under mark he believed that he needed to reach.

The 117th Southern Amateur Championship plays out July 19-22, on The Honors Course, at Ooltewah, Tenn.

“I’m extremely excited because I’ve had a not-great season,” he said. “I simply haven’t performed well or demonstrated anything about my game of golf. The opportunity to finally play and get a shot less than 4 or 2 under has been a big help for me.”

As of now, LeCroy has work to complete to match his 66-67-66 performance in last year’s Wilfred Galbraith Invitational. LeCroy also has a strong group of players. Fite who calls ACC the course he plays at home, made 3 birdies in the first nine on Nos. 3, and 8 He was at 31 by the time he turned. He also made birdies on 10.

“Just a solid day that was stalled on the back nine.” Fite said.

Cole was a serious player at the Tour course, scored six birdies, with four on a five-hole stretch in between Nos. 13-17.

“Good shot,” He said. “Other than two poor 7 irons at the front, could have been much better.

“I am a bit off on a few putts like everybody else. Happy with how I feel after one round. There are two rounds to go.”

For LeCroy his team on the day was Garrett Burgess, his high school coach at Donoho. They were instrumental in helping the Falcons achieve a state championship and also clinch runners-up finishes in two consecutive years in 2018, and 2019.

Burgess played a par 70 round to take sixth position, just behind the top three with Trey Rouse (68) and Jaylon Ellison (69). Burgess also enjoyed a close view of his pupil’s day.

“With this Southern Am yesterday, it seemed to roll over,” Burgess said. “He’s simply getting his peak in the summer. And how he played today, he missed at least three or four golfers out there.

“I think 3 under was probably the most he could’ve shot.”

Burgess also commented on Leroy’s growth after four years of college golf in South Alabama.

“It’s more of a matter of the management of it,” Burgess said. “His managing of the game is much better. He isn’t able to put up the huge numbers, but his putting has become much better from what I’ve observed.

“I didn’t play with him often however, from what I can tell the short and putting game are getting significantly better.”

The birdies at Nos. 2 and 9 put LeCroy at two below at turn. LeCroy went bogey-birdie on 10, and 11, then birdied 17 in a bid to join his fellow leaders who had have finished earlier in the morning.

“I think I’m doing a good job,” he said. “I felt confident. It was clear what it was I attempting to accomplish through the ball the majority of the time, and I succeeded generally.”

Scores from one round

Second-round pairings