Ames’ Ricky Costello put together a fine round of golf, posting 68 (-4) to lead after the opening round of the 70th Herman Sani Tournament presented by Coppola Enterprises being played at Echo Valley Country Club. The Ridge and Creek rotation are being used for this year’s event.

Costello, who will be a junior on the Iowa State men’s golf team this fall, made five birdies to go against just a single bogey. Following closely behind Costello, just a shot off the pace, include amateurs Charles Jahn (Sperry), Nick Pittman (Urbandale), Dylan Ellis (Parkersburg), Cody Holck (Grimes) and professional Darin Fisher (Albia). A trio of players sit at -2, just two back of the lead.

Pittman, a 2019 Herman Sani Scholarship recipient, captured the Frohwein Award for the low score after the first round of the scholarship winners, who play as a group to start the tournament. All scholarship recipients were honored at a dinner following the opening round.

In the Senior Division, Terry Cook shot 68 (-4) to lead by a shot over Gene Elliott and Jon Brown by two shots.

Rob Christensen (Marshalltown) leads the Super Senior Division at -1, four shots ahead of Jim Campbell (Albia). John Kinsey (Alleman) is tied by Stephen Larson five strokes off the lead. Kinsey’s opening round included three eagles on the day.

Round two will be played tomorrow with the field will be cut to the low 45 & ties in the Open Division, low 24 & ties in the Senior Division and low 9 & ties in the Super Senior Division
after 36 holes.

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