KCHS’ Dunham, GICC’s Fox atop Class C state golf leaderboard through Day 1

COLUMBUS, Neb. (KSNB) - After the completion of the high school soccer, tennis, baseball and track & field seasons, just one sport remained as we entered Tuesday — boys golf.

Elks Country Club played host to the Class C State Tournament’s first round Tuesday, and Kearney Catholic’s Jackson Dunham entered after firing an 80 in districts. He did much better on the larger stage, firing a tournament-best 74 on day one to earn the top spot 18 holes in.

Close behind him is the tournament favorite, GICC’s Bowdie Fox, who’s in a three-way tie for second place at five-over par.

Heartland’s Creighton Friesen fired a 79 on day one to put him in a four-way tie for 9th place. In that same tie are two Amherst golfers as both Scout Simmons and Austin Adelung represent the Broncos well through day one.

Rounding out the top-10 is Quinten Hogelund of Kearney Catholic, who also checks in at seven-over par.

We caught up with the first round leaders after day one, and they seemed confident in where they’re game’s at heading into Wednesday’s final round.

“I’m just so relieved,” KCHS’ Dunham said. “I really wanted to come out and try to do my best for the team, and I can say I definitely did my best. It’s a tough course. Greens are fast, fairways are tight - just feels great to know I can come out and do something like this on a tough course.”

“I felt like my game was in a good spot,” GICC’s Fox added. “I hit it well off the tee, and I just tried to come out here and enjoy the moment. Being a senior, it’s my last time and I felt like the team was in a good spot as well. Kind of didn’t finish the way I would’ve liked, but that’s golf and I’ll come back here tomorrow and give it another shot.”

As for the team race, it seems to be a two-horse race with Kearney Catholic up three shots on GICC. On the outside, but not out of it are Yutan, Pierce and Amherst. All three would need very strong performances Wednesday to mount the comeback.

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