Hall Tops Field on Tough Day at Far Oaks

 

An unexpected dose of cool weather blew the scores upwards at the 2007 US Deaf Golf Championships.  The morning rounds were buffeted with light winds and temperatures that worked hard to reach the 80’s.  That did not seem to affect Kevin Hall. The Deaf Professional Golfer from Cincinnati, Ohio shot a bogey free 68 to take a large early lead.

 

Doren Granberry held the lead for most of the morning round.  The defending champion from California got off to a hot start with birdies at #2, 6, and 7 to go to 3 under par and one shot clear of Hall.  Granberry’s round began to unravel at the 9^th where he made a bogey on the reachable par five.  He gave all his shots back with a triple bogey seven at #13.  His two nine’s were a stark contrast at 34-42.

 

Meanwhile Kevin Hall was cruising along. Starting on the back nine, he opened with seven straight pars then birdies at #17 and #18 got him going.  He turned to the front nine and picked up two more at #2 and #5.  Hall closed with 4 straight pars, almost finishing before bad weather halted play at 12:09.  Storms rolled through the area and caused a 2 hour delay in play.  More than half the field was still on the course when wind and light rain halted play.

 

John Rush is the leader in the Senior’s division.  His even par round of 72 was highlighted by four birdies at #3, 5, 10 and 17.  He has a commanding seven shot lead over Neil Johnson who almost won the Buick Enclave with a hole-in-one on #15.  His iron shot landed a mere 5 inches from a new car! 

 

The Women’s division is shaping up to be a real shootout.  Susan Zupnik and Lauri Ponikiewski have a slim three shot advantage over Lynn Williams with defending champion Patty Sue Ploysa lurking four shots back.  Zupnik and Ponikiewski fashioned 83’s in the windy conditions that could have been several shots better.