INDIAN PINES MEN’S INVITATIONAL: Dial, Hanson in tie for lead

Defending champion Frank Dial is in a tie for the lead with John Hanson after the first round of the Indian Pines Men’s Invitational Golf Tournament.

Both golfers shot 3-under par 69s in the Championship A flight to take the lead.

The two have plenty of company, however, as the seven other golfers in the flight are all within seven shots of the lead.

David Stanfield and Darren Garner are tied for third, two shots back. Keith Hiett and Buzz Sturz are tied for fifth, both at even par. Bruce Haman is four shots back at 1-over.

This is the 32nd annual playing of the de facto area golf championship on the local municipal course.

In the Championship B flight, Curt Lindner has a three-shot lead after carding a 4-over 76 in the first round.

Bill Bordeaux has a one-shot lead over Jim Harwick and Chris Prevatt with a 1-over 73 in the first flight; Willie Sheppard, Evan Smith, Brent Beard and Barry McClain are all tied at 6-over for the lead in the second flight; and flights three-eight are all currently in huge logjams at the top of the leaderboard.

The tournament begins eeing off at 8 a.m. today with the eighth flight. The championship flight tees off a 1:10 p.m., with the final group hitting the links at 1:30.

The public is welcome to attend the event, free of charge.