Around the Green

PLANO, Texas– Brad Gibson of Frisco fired a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday in the second round of the TGA North Amateur Championship at Watters Creek’s Traditions Course to take a one-stroke lead heading into Sunday’s final round.

Gibson birdied four of his last six holes and moved to 6-under for the 54-hole tournament. The former North Texas golfer has nine birdies after 36 holes and just two holes where he made bogey or worse. Over the first two days at Watters Creek, Gibson has played the par 5s at 4-under and the par 4s at 2-under.

First-round leader John Stollenwerck posted a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday, which moved him to 5-under overall and a stroke off the lead. The Dallas native has made eight birdies in his first two rounds, including two on No. 2, the 351-yard par 4. 

Paris’ Stuart Smallwood shot the low round Saturday with a 6-under-par 66. Overall, he’s 4-under and in third place. Smallwood made four birdies in his first nine holes on Saturday and three in his final five holes.

Hunter Shattuck of Jacksonville and Clarke Kincaid of Trophy Club are tied for fourth at 3-under headed into the final round. Kincaid made six birdies, including three straight on holes No. 8-10, to shoot 4-under 68 on Saturday, while Shattuck, meanwhile, couldn’t get putts to drop in his even-par 72.

“I hit my irons really well today but I putted poorly,” said Shattuck, “I really like this course and my tee shots have been rolling really far in the fairways.”

Alexander Rodriguez and Ted Waldrip are tied for sixth after the first two rounds at 1-under, while John Schaefer, Hayden Burnett, John Bearrie and Jose Pablo Rolz are tied for eighth at even par.

Schaefer made five birdies in the second round for a 3-under 69, while Burnett shot 2-under 70, making three birdies and looking to avoid the big numbers.

“Yesterday was a roller coaster of a round and today I was just looking to keep steady and avoid the big numbers,” Burnett said.

The final round of this Texas Golf Association regional event begins Sunday at 8 a.m. To view full results and see final scores from the North Amateur CLICK HERE.