Perrin opens up big lead at Owl

(article submitted)

Winnipeg’s Patrick Perrin blitzed the Clear Lake Golf Course on Friday and has a six stroke lead after Day 1 of the 64th annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament, presented by IG Private Wealth  Management.  

Perrin, who plays out of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, fired a blistering 6-under-par 66 in calm, warm  and partly cloudy conditions. That gives him a six-stroke edge over two-time Grey Owl champ Nick Myhre of  Rolette, N.D., and Ty Lewis of Shilo Golf and Country Club, who both shot even-par 72s on Friday.

Perrin, who won the 2023 Manitoba men’s mid-amateur championship, made five birdies and an eagle on  the opening nine for a 6-under 30 and played the back in even par to post one of the best opening rounds in  tournament history. Overall, Perrin made seven birdies and an eagle. His round included a double-bogey six on  the par-4 15th hole

Myhre, who won the tournament in 2017 and 2018, had three birdies, one bogey and a double bogey en  route to his 72, while Lewis had five birdies and five bogeys during his even-par round.  Brandon’s Jared Jacobson, a two-time winner who plays out of Clear Lake, carded a 1-over 73, while  Breezy Bend’s Garth Collings, who holds the record with 11 Grey Owl crowns, was a shot back at 2-over 74.  The rest of the field of 288 golfers will play their first rounds on Saturday morning, and some players will  hit the course for their second and final rounds later on Saturday.  

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 at 10 o’clock

Saturday’s tee times and more information can be found at thegreyowl.ca.  

DAY 1 TOP SCORES  

Patrick Perrin, Elmhurst 30-36—66  

Nick Myhre, Rolette, N.D. 38-34—72  

Ty Lewis, Shilo 36-36—72  

Jared Jacobson, Clear Lake 36-37—73  

Garth Collings, Breezy Bend 38-36—74