Wahawk Athletics

Veenker Memorial Golf Course got the better of most of the golfers Saturday at the Iowa Masters but could do nothing to slow down Eric Anfinson.

Anfinson roared into the lead with a five-under par 67. The recent Indian Hills Community College graduate and Austin Peay University recruit holds a four-shot lead over Iowa State junior Ben Herrera and Michael Oimoen going into today's final 18 holes.

Anfinson is at 6-under par with Herrera and Oimoen at 2-under. There is a four-way tie for fourth at even-par.

"I'm just going to do my normal warmup (today) and step up to the first tee and hit my first shot and go from there," Anfinson said. "I'm not going to worry about what anyone else is doing. I'm just going to battle and grind it out."

Anfinson fired a 34 on the front nine and then got better on the back, posting a 33.

"It was one of those things where immediately I got in that zone and the hole was like a basketball hoop," Anfinson said. "I tried to just stay focused on the next shot and all of a sudden I'm on 18 putting for a 67. I hit 16 greens in regulation so my irons were clicking and I made a lot of putts. It was a blast."

Anfinson was in fifth place after Friday's opening round and zoomed up the leaderboard behind his strong play and the four golfers ahead of him all struggling.

One of those struggling was Herrera. His score of 72 was only two strokes higher than his 70 on Friday but he was still shaking his head in disappointment after his round.

"I hit the ball really well but I putted really bad and just scored horribly," Herrera said. "I couldn't get anything going. It was just one of those days. I'm surprised but happy to see where I was (on the leaderboard)."

Herrera was surprised to see higher scores Saturday because he thought the course was ripe for good rounds.

"Honestly, I think the course was playing a lot easier," Herrera said. "It was softer and the wind was down. I don't know why scores were higher. It's maybe just one of those funny things you can't really explain.

An indication of how a good score Saturday could mean a big move in the standings came from Beau DeWall. DeWall went from 15th into the tie for fourth by carding a 70.

The Seniors title looks to be up for grabs going into the final round. Bill Manske, of Algona, shot a 71 Saturday to take the lead 2-under par but is only up one on Ron Post.

Rob Christensen is two shots back at even-par and Huxley native Scott Hornstein is 1-over. There are four golfers tied at 2-over.
      
Jeff Stell can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 362, or jstell@amestrib.com