By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's probably safe to say that no golfer in the 15-school Washburn Invitational field knows the Topeka Country Club course any better than Ichabod six-year senior Andrew Beckler, who has roamed TCC almost from the time he first picked up a club.
"I've been around this track a time or two,'' Beckler joked.
In fact that time or two actually may be closer to 1,000 rounds.
"That's probably close,'' Beckler said. "That's probably a good guess.''
Beckler put that home field advantage to good use on Monday, continuing his spring hot streak with a 7-under-par 64 in his first of two rounds on the day. The former Washburn Rural individual and team Class 6A state champion then followed that up with a 3-under 68 and will take a 9-stroke lead into Tuesday's final round.
Andrew Beckler
Beckler's opening-round 64 was just one stroke off former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland's course record of 63 and he tied what course officials consider the amateur course record.
"They added the two new back tees, so I like to say I have the back tee record,'' Beckler said with a laugh.
Beckler had flirted with that mark with a recent 65 before going a stroke lower Monday.
"I had one less bogey, so that added up to 64 instead of 65, but I've played this course so many times and when you play your home course you don't over-think it, you just go out and play,'' Beckler said. "I know where the spots are to hit it and it's just a matter of trusting it and hitting to your spots.''
During the day's second round the temperature dipped a bit, the wind picked up and the round ended in a light rain.
"It definitely played a little bit tougher the second round and you're just more tired when you're walking 36 holes,'' Beckler said. "And, after you play a really good first round, it's hard to follow it up so I was happy to keep it under par the second round.''
Beckler set the pace as Washburn took a 574-576 lead over Missouri Western through 36 holes of the 54-hole event.
Western's Tom Buffington and Lucas Horseman are the closest golfers to Beckler for the individual lead, with Buffington sitting at 141 (72-69) and Horseman a stroke behind his teammate (72-70).
Washburn's Dawson Wills is tied for fourth entering the final 18 holes at 143 (73-70) while the Ichabods' Michael Bessenbacher is tied for ninth at 146 (75-71), Jackson Wexler tied for 12th at 148 (71.77) and Caden Vanlandingham tied for 15th at 149 (69-80).
With some breathing room between him and the field, Beckler now just wants to turn in a solid round on Tuesday.
"I want to keep it steady, hit fairways and greens and just make it as easy as possible on myself, stress free,'' Beckler said.
