MISSOULA — Blake Nevell of Rock Creek and Nicholas Balcken of Helena jumped to the top of the leaderboard on the second day of the Montana State Mid-Amateur Golf Championship Friday at The Ranch Club.
Nevell, who was one stroke back after Thursday’s opening round, fired a 73 Friday with birdies on two of the final four holes. He sits at 1-under with a two-day total of 143 along with Balcken, who followed up his 73 on the first day with a low round of 70 on Friday.
Four golfers are just a stroke back. The list includes Missoula’s Sean Ramsbacher, Bill Dunn and Adam Escobar and Whitefish’s Shawn Tucker.
Blake Reifsnyder of East Glacier led after the first round but followed up his 69 on Thursday with a 76 on Friday. He’s tied for sixth place along with Joseph Potkonjak of Kalispell.
The Mid-Am will conclude Saturday at The Ranch Club.
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The Mid-Am is a category for amateur golfers who are at least 25 years old. The United States Golf Association (USGA) created the U.S. Mid-Am tournament in 1981 to give post-college amateurs a chance to compete against each other and to level the playing field with college golfers. The Mid-Am has grown in popularity and now includes state competitions.
Bill Speltz is Missoulian sports editor. Contact him at bill.speltz@406mtsports.com or on Twitter @billspeltz
