Sunday, June 25, 2006 Gadsden Times

McCollum leads lefty tourney

By Jonathan Blaylock, Times Sports Staff

Despite a rainy first day, the 57th annual Alabama Left-Handed Golf Association Tournament got underway Friday and finishes today at Twin Bridges Golf Club. Tim McCollum is leading the champion division. McCollum has a two-stroke lead over Randy Lipscomb going into the final round.

McCollum is no stranger to the tournament. He's won the tournament in his division three years in a row. He played his first tournament in 1978 and since 1982 he has played in it each year. McCollum has won the tournament five times overall. McCollum says he didn't always do that well in tournaments.

"When i started (playing golf), I was lucky to break 90," he said. "I remember tournaments where I played horrible. I never though I'd win a tournament that many times."

Even though McCollum has a lot of experience, and has a lead going into the final round, he isn't over confident. He says it could go either way.

"I've got experience. I'm 52 years old," McCollum said. "The thing about golf is you never know. I know someone's going to make a charge. Hopefully, I can fend them off."

Closest to McCollum and Lipscomb are Alan Boutwell with 153, Johnny Brasher with 154 and Chad Hare with 155.

Daryl Johnson is the president of the Alabama Left-Handed Golf Association. He's won the open division three years in a row and this year, he moved to the champion division. He's shot 165 through two rounds. Leading in the open division is Phillip Amberson with 155, Gene Ellison with 163, Bill Askew with 169 and Robert James with 170.

Johnson says the feedback from having the tournament at Twin Bridges for the second year in a row has mostly been positive. While the association likes to spread the tournament around to different courses, he says Twin Bridges is hard to beat.

"It's a phenomenal course to play," Johnson said. "We have a great time coming out here. We've had nothing but great comments from the players. Everyone is really impressed with course."

Other golfers, like M.J. Denard, agree.

"The course is one of the best we've played, Denard said. "The staff here is excellent. The course is in good shape. The green's putting good and holding good."

Denard is seven strokes out of the lead in the seniors division behind Herman Johnson and Joe Fuller.