Paul Apyan bogeyed the par-4 ninth hole Thursday at Hunters Ridge. It was his 18th hole of the day and only bogey of the day. Otherwise, he would have been better.
The 2010 Southern Mississippi grad from Chattanooga, Tennessee, posted a sparkling 9-under par 63 – despite the three-putt bogey – at Hunters Ridge and holds the first-round lead by one shot in the 17th annual TrueNorth Greater Cedar Rapids Open, presented by Granite City Food & Brewery.
On a picture-perfect perfect day for scoring at the Marion, Iowa course, most of the 107 professionals entered in the Open Division took advantage.
A total of 43 players shot under par and another 14 shot even par. That means the cut after Friday’s second round will likely be in at least par or better.
Apyan, teeing off on the 10th tee, shot a 4-under 32 on Hunter’s back and tougher nine. He then eagled the par-5 second hole and birdied four more before his mishap on No. 9.
He is not alone however. Arizona State product Austin Quick went off early in the day and posted an 8-under 64, which held the lead for much of Thursday. The 22-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, who has played on the PGA LatinoAmerica Tour, had eight birdies and no bogeys.
Five golfers are another stroke back after 7-under 65s. Included in that group are Joseph Juszczyk of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, who has been on a recent tear on the Michigan Players Tour; Brandon Cauldwell of Ozark, Missouri, a Southern Illinois University grad who has also played on the PGA LatinoAmerica Tour and made two cuts; Eric Steger of Carmel, Indiana, fresh off a $19,000 second-place finish in the Waterloo Open; Thomas Buran of Milford, Ohio, a U.S. Open Sectional qualifier this year; and Brian Anderson, a 32-year-old father of two from Palm City, Florida via Rochester, Illinois.
Andy Buege (Abrams, Wisconsin) and Justin Bryant (St. Louis, Missouri), who tied for second last year at the GCRO, are at 5-under 67.
Defending champ Mark Blakefield (Maysville, Kentucky) shot a 3-under 69 and remains in the hunt like most and local favorite Bill Hoefle, the Linn-Mar High School golf coach, posted a solid 4-under 68. Former University of Iowa standout Steven Ihm of Peosta, Iowa, shot a 69.
Second-round play continues Friday beginning at 7:15. Admission is free and spectators are welcome.