Fox Prairie GC was playing firm and fast today for the
opening round of the IGA Tournament of Champions, but wind and rain kept things
interesting. Despite fairly difficult
conditions, Indianapolis’ Chris Eckerle was able to post an impressive
3-under-par 68 and secure a one shot lead heading into tomorrow.
“I got off to a rough start and was two over after holes 10
and 11, my first two holes of the day,” Eckerle said. “But I bounced back with three birdies to
make the turn at 1-under.”
Eckerle’s round consisted of five birdies coming on the par
5, 1st, the par 5, 6th, the par 4, 14th, the
par 4, 15th, and the par 3, 2nd. His opening back-to-back bogeys were his only
bogeys of the day.
“I hope to play well again tomorrow, but this early in the
year you never know what to expect,” Eckerle said. “It would be exciting to win this event, as
it is to win any IGA event. To win when
playing against all of the club champions would be special.”
Eckerle looks for his third IGA win tomorrow, with previous back-to-back
wins coming in ’01 and ’02 at the IGA Match Play Championship.
Greenwood’s Sean Rowen and Carmel’s Tyler Bale are currently
tied for second at 2-under-par.