ADA TOWNSHIP – Brad Dean isn’t real sure where he is going at unfamiliar Egypt Valley Country Club, but things are going well for him.
The Director of Golf at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville shot a 3-under 69 Tuesday on the Valley course and held a two-shot lead on Lochmoor Club’s Kyle Martin through two rounds of the 94th Michigan PGA Professional Championship.
“It’s hard out there because I’m just not sure about some of the shots I have to hit,” he said. “But I’ve been hitting a lot of greens, and I enjoyed this golf course today. It’s a little more in front of you so you can see what you are doing. I feel good, I’m playing well. Two days in a row is good. Hopefully there will be a third.”
The field of 132 pros played the Ridge course Monday and the Valley Tuesday at the 36-hole private facility northwest of Grand Rapids. The final round will be played on the two back nines with the leaders teeing off at 9:30 a.m. A cut to the low 60 and ties fell at 156 following Tuesday’s play that was delayed in the afternoon for one hour and 25 minutes by rain.
Kyle Martin, an assistant pro at Lochmoor in Grosse Pointe Woods, knows where he is going at Egypt Valley. He is a Rockford native and grew up playing at Egypt Valley where his parents had a membership. He shot a 70 and checked in at 3-under 141, two shy of Dean.
“I think the rain delay helped me,” he said. “I played much better after, hit some good shots and if I didn’t lip out a couple birdie putts I would be right there with Brad.”
Brian Cairns of Fox Hills Learning Center in Plymouth, fresh off playing in the PGA Championship, shot 70 for 142 and will round out the final group Wednesday.
“I’m playing good, driving it good, I got a pulse,” he said. “I missed 10-footers today, and those are the ones you make in really good rounds. I’m not worried about it. I’m in a good place.”
Dan Urban, an assistant professional at Prestwick Village in Highland Township, shot 67, the low round of the day. He has course knowledge like Martin as a former assistant pro at Egypt Valley and was fourth alone at 143.
Al Kuhn of Fountain Golf & Banquet in Clarkston, who shot 69, Lee Houtteman of Manitou Passage in Cedar, who shot 74, and Jason Guss of Jason Guss Academy in Bath, who shot 72, all were at 144.
Dean, 49, made four birdies against one bogey, said he was pleased with his game and was especially pleased with a birdie on the par 3 No. 16 hole.
“I had 8-iron in there, 158 yards, and hit it to about six feet,” he said. “That was nice to get coming in. I feel pretty good about the game, and I’m feeling confident.”
Martin is in the final group for the second consecutive year.
“That was my goal,” he said. “There was no catching (Scott) Hebert last year after he shot that 61, but this is different and I learned from that. I’m happy to have a chance and it’s fun to do it where I grew up playing.”
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The Michigan PGA Professional Championship is presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz and OMEGA with supporting sponsors Titleist/Footjoy, Nike Golf, TaylorMade-adidas, Ashworth Golf and the PGA Tour.
See www.michiganpgagolf.com for more information, live scoring and tee times. Gallery is welcome. Parking and admission are free. More information on Egypt Valley is available at www.egyptvalley.com.
via Greg Johnson
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