By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – If three is a crowd, what’s a sixsome? It’s a party, that’s what it is, and the top of the leaderboard for the Bedford Men’s City Tournament required an RVSP invitation for the opening round at Otis Park.
Defending champion Aaron Harrell, already a member of elite company as a five-time champion of the ancient event, quickly reclaimed his frontrunner status, but five other talented competitors joined him under par after the first tour of the four-day test. Another four players were poised within striking range at even par. If this trend continues, this could be one of the classics in the tournament that started in 1931.
Harrell started his quest for another title with a smooth 3-under 69 on Saturday, but that really didn’t separate him from the large pack of contenders. If this event is a horse race, they’ve just reached the first turn, and there’s a lot of jockeying for position yet to come.
Daylen Tidd, one of many with explosive scoring potential, fired a 2-under 70 to settle just off Harrell’s fast pace. The exquisite group at 1-under 71 includes former winner Trey Turner, former BNL standouts Colten Girgis and Sam Cobb, and Gavin Morgan. There’s a long way to go, and still a long time to get there.
“When I saw the sign-up list, it was like ‘Oh my gosh, this year will be loaded at the top,’” Tidd said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Harrell carded five birdies en route to the front, starting with the fourth and fifth holes on the front side. He added three more on the back nine (on holes 10, 12 and 15) before a slight bump with a bogey on the par-5 17th, which usually gives up several birdies among the serious.
“I feel good about it,” Harrell said about his round., “I don’t have any expectations (playing only his third round of the year) and I’m surprised I played that well.”
Tidd tore up the front as well, posting a two-putt birdie on the par-4 second hole and adding an eagle on the par-5 fifth. His final birdie came on the 11th, as he battled consistency with his putter, making long ones to save par and missing short ones for more birdies. That’s why golf is a four-letter word.
“I’m just happy to be in the mix with all those guys,” Tidd said. “On that leaderboard, every single one of those guys are capable of winning this. Three or four of them already have. It’s unreal. There’s a long way to go, but it’s a good start, a good confidence boost. I have the mindset of one day at a time, not jumping the gun at all.”
Girgis was a major player last year, after firing a fabulous 64 in the third round, in a battle that went to the final hole. In addition to the fantastic foursome at 71, the group at 72 included multiple winner Michael Gratzer, young guns and collegiate veterans Nick Bellush and Trevin Hutchinson, plus Michael Bellush to represent the old guard.
“They should be right there. But it’s a four-day tournament,” Harrell said. “You go hit it, find it, and hit it again, no matter where it goes. That’s it. Patience is pretty big, and attitude. You can’t get flustered. You can’t win it on the first day, but you can sure lose it. They’ve all got themselves in great position.”
The second round is set for Sunday, with the final two rounds on July 19-20. The field will be divvied into flights following the second round.
