Bret Taylor (above) joins the first-round leader, Sean Davis, at the top of the leaderboard. Taylor held a two-shot lead going into his last three holes, but an untimely tee shot on seven and a three putt on nine sent him back into a tie with Davis.

“It was a little disappointing to three-putt the last hole” Taylor said. “I also holed out from 72 yards, so I can’t complain.”

With five birdies and a hole-out for eagle on the day, Taylor was pleased with his round. 

“I have struggled this year, so it is nice to piece together some rounds and hit some good shots,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s first Iowa Senior Amateur Championship appearance came at Ames Golf and Country Club back in 2015. Having past experience along with a strong history of playing well in the Joe August tournament each year, Taylor is overflowing with confidence. 

“I play the Joe August every year,” Taylor said. “Ron Peterson and I have had a lot of success here. I know the course and I am confident on the course.”

Knowing the task ahead of him, Taylor does not want to get ahead of himself. 

“You can’t get ahead of yourself,” Taylor said. “That is probably the best way to play. I did a good job of not getting ahead of myself and I absolutely have to do that tomorrow.”

Davis carded an even round today to keep his name at the top. Three birdies and three bogeys kept Davis from increasing his first-round lead. 

The 2021 Senior Player of the Year, Joe Palmer, is back into contention after tying Taylor for the low round of the day. After a bogey on hole 12, Palmer caught fire. Going six-under in the following nine holes pushed Palmer into third place. 

Dave Cunningham was one shot away from joining Palmer and Taylor. Cunningham had a clean scorecard and knocked in four birdies to finish his day in fourth place. Jay Gregory and Jay Slings will go into the final round in a tie for fifth place at even-par.

Bob Brooks (right) takes the lead in the Super Senior Division after a two-under round of 69 Tuesday afternoon. Brooks began the day with two bogeys in his first three holes but turned it around quickly with back-to-back birdies on four and five. 

To finish the day, Brooks made birdie on 13 and 16 to close out his day two shots ahead of second place. Joel Yunek, of Mason City, finished in solo second after a one-over round of 72 during the morning wave. 

Steve Kahler and Jim Butler made moves today, getting back inside the top-three. Kahler ended his day at even par and Butler carded a one-under round. Rob Christensen rounded out the top-five with a 145 two-round tally. 

The final round of the 44th Iowa Senior Amateur Championship will take place Wednesday morning. Find out which senior and super senior will be crowned the champion at Ames Golf and Country Club using our live scoring feature. 

Senior Division
T1. Bret Taylor 70-66=136
T1. Sean Davis 65-71=136
3. Joe Palmer 73-66=139
4. Dave Cunningham 73-67=140
T5. Jay Slings 67-75=142
T5. Jay Gregory 71-71=142

Super Senior Division
1. Bob Brooks 72-69=141
2. Joel Yunek 71-72=143
T3. Jim Butler 74-70=144
T3. Steve Kahler 73-71=144
T3. Rob Christensen 74-70=144