Howarth leads 63rd Grey Owl

Photo: Grey Owl Golf Tournament

MacGregor’s Darcy Howarth fired an eagle and five birdies en route to a 3-under-par 69 on Friday to grab the Day 1 lead at the 63rd annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament, presented by IG Private Wealth Management.

Howarth carded nine-hole scores of 35 and 34 on beautiful Clear Lake Golf Course to post the lowest score of the day on a sunny and breezy afternoon. He has a one-shot lead over St. Charles’ Curtis Markusson and a two-shot edge over two-time winner Jared Jacobson of Brandon.

Approximately two-thirds of the more than 265 golfers in the field played their first rounds on Friday, and the rest, including two-time defending champion Jay Thiesen of Russell, will play their opening 18 holes on Saturday morning. One-third of the field will play their second and final rounds later on Saturday.

Markusson, who won the 2022 Canadian men’s mid-master amateur championship, had six birdies and four bogeys, shooting 35-35, while Jacobson produced five birdies and four bogeys to shoot nines of 35-36.

The first day of the Grey Owl produced a memorable moment for Calgary’s Kris Collacott, who used a pitching wedge to record a hole-in-one on the 138-yard, par-3 12th hole. Collacott’s ace means he will gain free entry into next year’s Grey Owl.

The tournament consists of 36 holes over three days. The low 16 and ties after the first round will make up the championship flight, which will tee off on Sunday morning. Players have the choice to opt out of the championship flight and play their second rounds on Saturday.

Day 1 scores and Saturday’s tee times can be found at thegreyowl.ca.

DAY 1 TOP SCORES

Darcy Howarth, MacGregor 35-34—69

Curtis Markusson, St. Charles 35-35—70

Jared Jacobson, Brandon 35-36—71

Michael MacKay, Breezy Bend 36-37—73

Todd Slatnik, Breezy Bend 37-36—73

Grady Chuback, St. Charles 36-38—74*

Mark Simpson, Swan River 34-41—75*

Kris Collacott, Calgary 40-36—76

Jack McDiarmid, Calgary 39-37—76

Carson McCallum, Niakwa 37-39—76

* opted out of competing in the championship flight