Ficken & Williams Lead 100th SIGA Championship
Marion, IL - The SIGA Championship is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It was a beautiful day at Kokopelli Golf Club for Round 1 with temperatures in the 90s and a cool blowing breeze. Seventy-five players across five divisions - men, women, junior, senior, and super senior - participated in the championship. All players teed off on Hole One beginning at 7:30am.
The junior boys led the way this morning. Michael Brees of the SIGA eClub got off to a quick start, firing birdies on the first two holes. Things slowed down for Brees after that, but he stayed on the top of the leaderboard at three-over (+3) par. Landon Travelstead of the SIGA eClub sits in second at seven-over (+7) par.
Next out and back in were the super seniors. Greg Stewart of Carmi Country Club pulled together the best round of the group at twelve-over (+12) par. James Dagley of the SIGA eClub is close behind at thirteen-over (+13) par.
The women’s division was in the middle of the pack today. Isa Flores of Old Hickory Golf Club brought in the low score of the group at six-over (+6) par. Zoey Danner of the SIGA eClub comes in at fourteen-over (+14) par, featuring an eagle on Hole 9, to sit in second.
The fourth division out on the course was the seniors. Mike O’Neill of the Metropolitan eClub carded a two-over (+2) par to sit on top. Tom Portner of Green Hills Golf Club is not far behind at three-over (+3) par. Three birdies on the back nine helped Portner get back into position, just one off the lead. Barry Craig of the SIGA eClub is in third at five-over (+5) par.
Rounding out the day was the Men’s Championship Division. Ryan Williams of the SIGA eClub and Hunter Ficken of Far Oaks Golf Club are tied at the top at one-under (-1) par. Williams warmed up on the back nine to card four birdies. Ficken had a hot streak mid-round to card three birdies in a row followed by an eagle on Hole 12. Thomas Wuennenberg of Tapawingo National Golf Club came in at even (E) par to sit in solo third. Aaron Jones of the SIGA eClub is in solo fourth at one-over (+1) par and Brock Naile of the SIGA eClub is in solo fifth at two-over (+2) par.
Tomorrow, players will return for the second and final round. The women will be playing for the Women’s SIGA Trophy, the juniors are playing for the B.W. Bruce Trophy, the seniors will be playing for the William A. Mertz Trophy, and the men are playing for the Pursie E. Pipes Trophy.