By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Into each life, especially around soggy Otis Park of late, some rain must fall. Longfellow didn’t write the weather report for the third round of the Bedford Men’s City Tournament. A lot of rain fell, forcing a lengthy delay.
Colten Girgis blocked it all out – the down time, his status in an event he would love to win, the talented pack in pursuit of his lead. Thinking too much can be a thief stealing happiness. As Rooster advised Maverick when the enemy was poised to strike, “Don’t think, just do.”
Girgis did just that, that’s why he remains the Top Gun heading into the final round.
Enduring a 2 1/2 hour rain delay that could have shot down his momentum, Girgis carded a 2-under 70 (his third straight round in red numbers) on a long Saturday to claim a one-shot lead heading into a final-round dogfight. Girgis finished 54 holes at 7-under 209, while Nick Bellush posted his second straight 69 to settle into the weapons envelope, one stroke behind, for the fourth round.
Trevin Hutchinson also lurks within quick-trigger striking range following a back-nine charge for a second consecutive 70 on the scorecard, so he’s three shots back. That sets up a titanic battle among a threesome seeking their first City championship.
While others had streaks, peaks and valleys, Girgis was stable and consistent with only one bogey and 14 pars. He birdied the fifth and 10th holes prior to the downpour that forced a halt to the round, then crushed a drive to the fringe of the green on the downhill, par-4 16th hole to set up a final birdie. His short game was the key.
“It’s been my chipping,” Girgis said. “That’s gotten me out of some sticky situations, so it’s getting to the point where I feel like I can make some tough up-and-downs.”
Now he owns the lead for the concluding round for the second straight year. His approach will be like his process during the rain delay. Don’t think about it.
“Over processing can hurt your game in a lot of ways,” Girgis said. “I just have to play my game. Not a lot of putts fell today, at least not for birdie, so that’s what I’m looking to do, just put myself in a good spot off the tee.”
Bellush finished with a flourish to make sure Girgis didn’t get out of reach. He birdied the final two holes, the highlight of a seven-birdie day and a terrific back-nine 31. That was necessary after a double bogey on the ninth hole nearly shot him down. The delay worked to his advantage.
“I was in a pretty bad state of mind,” said Bellush, who also competed in the Indiana Open earlier in the week. “After that, I needed to do something. That was pretty dang important. I couldn’t let Colten get too far ahead or he was going to run away with it. I needed to stay close. I love that I was able to bring in back.”
Hutchinson also made a major move on the back nine with three birdies, including two after the rain break.
“I’ve been playing the front nine well, but I’ve not been as consistent as I want to be,” he said. “I just found a way to score well on the back nine, which I have not done for a long time. It’s just more consistency. That’s what I’m aiming for.”
Defending champion Aaron Harrell was on fire on the front with four birdies in a five-hole stretch (starting on the devilish par-3 third) to make the turn in 3-under 34. But the delay cost him as he came back with two double bogeys (with a four-putt on the 13th and a tee shot out of play on the 17th) to close with a 73. He is six shots back at 215 as he now faces a tough task to win his sixth City title.
The spotlight will be on the final threesome.
“It will be tough,” Bellush said. “But I’m ready to fight. I have to go low, I know they are going to.”
