Peyton Brust is very familiar with the Moccasin Creek Country Club course and it showed on Friday during the first round of the Western Printing Pro-Am Golf Tournament.
The 2024 graduate of Aberdeen Central recorded the low round for amateur players with an even par 72.
“I hit it pretty well. Putting could be a little better,” Brust said as he finished up his round. “I made a really bad bogie on 15, three-putted from 12 feet or whatever it was.”
However, he was solid on the other holes and made up those strokes to finish with an even round.
“I was rolling it pretty well, driving it pretty well,” Brust said. “Some of the poor mistakes, just gotta get cleaned out.”
Brust has played MC3 many times through the years and that undoubtedly played a role on Friday.
“Knowing the places where it looks like there’s more or less break, and playing it to how I know it, is definitely an advantage,” Brust said, “but it’s kind of the same for everyone.”
Brust played with his dad, his brother, and a professional. He said he attempts to learn from the pros as much as he can.
“I try to play a practice round or two with some of those guys and kind of ask them what they think I could improve on,” Brust said. “Try and get to the next level. It’s always good watching them hit it or try to keep up with them.”
Brust will attempt to replicate his round again today and stay in the hunt for a possible championship on Sunday.
“Going to try and go do that (Saturday),” Brust said, “and see where I can get going into Sunday.”
TRYING TO BEAT THE BOYS
There are less than a handful of women competing in the Pro-Am. Megan Payne of Aberdeen said she is not intimidated about facing male competition.
“I’m out here to play the boys. That’s what I want to do,” Payne said. “Yes, that’s the goal.”
Payne has played in the event before and looks forward to the tournament.
“This is like the only competitive event that I do every year, that’s for myself,” she said.
While Payne was in a group that included a professional golfer, she has had prior experience of golfing as a pro herself.
“I used to be a pro, way back in the day,” Payne said. “After I finished eligibility at Texas Tech, I turned pro for a year and then I realized this is not for me, so I quit.”
Payne’s ultra-competitive days are in the past and she now just tries to enjoy herself on the course, although there is little doubt that her competitive nature is still there.
“I just come out here to have fun. This is a rare occasion for me to be out here playing golf, and I just try enjoy myself and not take it too seriously,” Payne said, “because I’m extremely competitive and I know how good I used to be and it’s hard to not be that good anymore, as good.”
So how does she go about handling that situation?
“Some days I do really well at it,” Payne said, “and some days I am a bear.”
FAMILY FUN WEEKEND
While everybody wants to compete and golf well in a tournament, the Pro-Am provides an opportunity for the Dohrer family of Aberdeen to golf together.
On Friday, Chris golfed with his son, Micah, and daughter, Emma, while his wife, Barb, was busy watching son Jonah compete as a professional.
“Theres nothing better,” Chris Dohrer said. “This tournament’s been a family tournament forever, and getting to play with all of them has been … we look forward to this weekend every year. This is family time. That’s the best part.”
While Chris was busy playing his own round, he couldn’t help but sneak a peek at how Jonah was faring with his group.
“I’ve been looking all day,” he said. “Maybe I shouldn’t be, but I’ve been looking all day.”
Playing golf with his children is an enjoyable experience, although Dohrer said it can be a bit distracting as well.
“I get so interested in what they’re doing that I forget to play my own game sometimes, and I usually struggle in this tournament for that very reason,” he said. “It is what it is. We have a lot of fun.”
Being able to spend quality time with his family while playing a sport that he loves is the best part, regardless of what the scores are.
“It’s the greatest event of the year, because you get to pick your groups and we have a great time together,” Dohrer said. “Golf hasn’t been the greatest, but the company’s the point.”
FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO ABERDEEN
While golfers come to the Pro-Am from all across the country, nobody traveled farther than Michael Bakker, who hails from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Bakker, who currently lives in Orlando, Fla., has been part of the event in recent years.
“This is my third year playing the Western and I love it,” Bakker said, “absolutely love it.”
Bakker said he enjoys the Moccasin Creek Country Club course and the way it plays.
“The course is always in great shape,” Bakker said. “The course just sets up so nicely, fairways always really good, greens are nice. The crew over here does a great job. Isaac (Morgan, MC3 Pro) and his team have done a great job this year.”
Bakker also enjoys the opportunity to be paired up with local amateur golfers for the first two days of the tournament.
“Phenomenal. They’re awesome. I love playing with the members,” Bakker said. “They’re always so welcoming.”
Zander Winston of Tempe, Ariz. leads the pros after a 9-under-par 63.
Bakker is in a group of five golfers tied for fourth place in the pro division after a round of 3-under-par 69 on Friday. He said it is difficult to predict what might happen during the next two days of the tourney.
“Its unknown, you never know. There’s times where 10 under can win it because of the conditions, and then times when it’s a little warmer like this and no wind you can take it deep,” Bakker said. “It’s all about just getting on the right roll and keeping the ball in front of you.”
To see complete first round results, click on the following link:
