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July 31, 2012

Matthews leads at Tourney of Champions

Hutchison and Houtteman both shoot under par

From Staff Reports ----

BOYNE FALLS — Tim Matthews got off to a hot start and finished on a roll Monday to take the first-round lead at the Tournament of Champions.

Matthews, 52, was the 1986 Michigan Open champ. Starting on the 10th hole, he shot an 8-under on Monday at Boyne Mountain, thanks to going 5-under on his first nine and closing the day with three straight birdies.

Similarly, defending champion Lee Houtteman from GT Resort & Spa finished hot with three birdies on his final five holes. He ended the day at 2-under and tied for 13th.

"I started out making a lot of pars," Houtteman said. "And then I made a bogey when I three-putted my eighth hole. I finally made a birdie and then had three coming in. I'm right there. I'm only two out of second."

Is hoping to go low today, when he gets out on the course early for his second round in the three-day event.

"I played late, which the scores are always higher," he said. "I feel pretty good going out early. Hopefully the wind will be down and the greens will be a little smoother."

David Nolan is alone in second at 5-under while Boyne Golf Academy's Barry Redmond is tied for third at 4-under. The group of seven players tied for sixth at 3-under includes Traverse City's Randy Hutchison.

Everyone, though, is chasing Matthews.

"At the turn was the first time we saw that," Houtteman said of Matthews' score. "All three of us (in the playing group) said 'okay, enough of these even pars. We've got to get going.' But it does help to know there are birdies out there. It spurred me on a little bit."

At even par and tied for 23rd are Mark Hill from the Traverse City Golf Center and amateur Patrick Colburn, a 2011 TC Central grad. GT Resort's Scott Hebert is 1-over along with Crystal Downs Country Club head pro Fred Muller. Traverse City's Larry Clark finished at 8-over.

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