Golf

By JOE BUIE
Staff Writer

Those expecting Ryan Myers to be handed the trophy on the first day of the Willow Brook Men's Club Golf Championship didn't consult Wes Alexander.

Alexander, who won the title eight years ago, fired a 2-under 69 on Friday to take a three-stroke lead over Myers in the 54-hole championship flight.

Myers, who shot 72, is a college golfer who joined Willow Brook Country Club three months ago. Myers came close to qualifying for the Texas State Open this summer.

Alexander, who did not play for a college team, enjoyed a dream start with five birdies in his first six holes en route to a 2-under front nine.

"After the first six holes, it was pretty boring," said Alexander, 26, a lifetime member of Willow Brook.

Alexander started fast by hitting it close on 1, 3, 4 and 6, and making a long putt on 2. He made two up-and-downs on a grueling back nine after knocking it over both greens.

"It was a little tough when it got a little later in the day," said Alexander, referring to the heat, humidity and high rough. "The rough was thick and tall."

Byron Triggs, another lifetime Willow Brook member, shot 74 to sit in third place.

Scott Taylor, who tied for third last year, carded an 80 on Friday despite shooting even par on the front.

The tournament continues today and Sunday.

Chip Shots:

Andy Wall, who has won the Willow Brook club championship 15 times, is out of action with a shoulder injury, said WBCC head pro Chris Hudson. Wall is scheduled to have shoulder surgery on Monday after trying rehab during the winter and spring. � 2007 runner-up Van Stewart is preparing to play Monday in a qualifier for the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

Men's Club Championship

Willow Brook Country Club

6,900 yards; Par: 71

First Round

Friday

1, Wes Alexander, 69;

2, Ryan Myers, 72;

3, Byron Triggs, 74;

4, (tie) Charles Bassett, 75; Dan Woldert, 75;

6, Galloway Calhoun, 76; Gary Thedford, 76;

8, Kyle DeShazo, 77;

9, Les Loggins, 78;

10, (tie) Clay Cavender, 79; Don Robert Johnson, 79; Rob Renicker, 79; Robin D Farrell, 79;

14, Scott Taylor, 80;

15, (tie) Brian Bell, 81; Derek Mitchell, 81; Kyle Cook, 81;

18, (tie) Allen Peithman, 82; Jon Schreiber, 82; Mike Craig, 82; Will DeShazo, 82;

22, (tie) Bert Ferris, 83; Deron Dacus, 83; Howie Alexander, 83;

25, (tie) Luke Freeman, 84; Steve Duffey, 84;

27, Bob Breedlove, 85.

-- -- --

Today's Tee Times

8:30 a.m. -- David Dial, Donnie Wilson; 8:40 -- Cook, Bassett, Bryan Montgomery; 8:50 -- Andrew Green, Kevin Williams, Breedlove; 9 -- Duffey, Freeman, Dacus; 9:10 -- H. Alexander, Ferris, Peithman; 9:20 -- W. DeShazo, Schreiber, Craig; 9:30 -- Taylor, B. Bell, Mitchell; 9:40 -- Johnson, Renicker, Cavender; 9:50 -- K. DeShazo, Loggins, Farrell; 10 -- Calhoun, G. Thedford, Woldert; 10:10 -- B. Triggs, Myers, W. Alexander; 10:30 -- W Herd Snider, A.J. Triggs; 10:40 -- Jimmy Wynne, Jerry Yancy; 11 -- David Dykes, Greg Schultz, Alan Thomas; 11:10 -- Guy Conine, Paul Fulmer, Steven Hallock; 11:20 -- Jay Carnahan, Bill Hillyer, Stan Lusk; 11:30 -- Bill Clements, Jeff Embry, Ron Schoenbrun; 11:40 -- Steve Ferguson, Richard Kennedy, Harry A Leatherwood; Noon -- Robert Parks, Mike Jarrett; 12:10 -- Raymond Hedge, Allen Bell, Andy Poston; 12:20 -- David Lowe, Jeff Feliciano, David G'Sell; 12:30 -- Bryan Lowery, Donnie Thedford, Steve Goates; 12:50 -- Bill Wylie, Mike Starr; 1 -- Joe Milburn, Alan Wharton, John Deibel Jr.; 1:10 -- Jerry Ashworth, Jim Ryder, Jeff Haas; 1:20 -- James McKinley, Darrell Flatt, Jimmy Neal; 1:30 -- John Minton, Scott Terry, Don Liles; 1:50 -- Brad Robertson, James Wynne III, George Rowe.

SAND STORM: Don Robert Johnson hits out of the bunker on the second hole during Friday’s play in the Men’s Club Golf Championship at Willow Brook Country Club.
(Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)