Posted online: May 28, 2005 11:05 PM
Print publication date: May 29, 2005

Nelson, McCarty lead QC AM

By Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com

Brian Soucinek, in search of his third straight Quad City Amateur golf title, had the spectacular shots in his bag Saturday morning. But two eagles on par 4s weren't enough to find the top of the leaderboard.

Instead, steady rounds from former St. Ambrose University all-American Josh Nelson and University of Iowa product Chad McCarty produced 5-under rounds of 67 to lead the second event of the National City Bank Amateur Tour season. Both Nelson and McCarty fired six birdies and one bogey in their stellar rounds at the par 72 Emeis Golf Course in Davenport to top the championship flight.

The top 32 golfers and ties in the championship flight (taking a 77 or better) will play for the title this afternoon, following the remainder of the 165-player field in this morning's shotgun. It may be tough for anybody to catch the two front-runners, especially if they keep playing like they did Saturday when they shot matching nines of 33-34.

Plenty of guys are close, including Soucinek (2-under 70) and J.D. Rios, who carded a 1-under 71 in the best afternoon round that included four birdies and three bogeys.

Both Nelson and McCarty downplayed their Saturday rounds, just happy to post good scores as they try to get their games back in shape. Nelson, who tried the mini-tour scene in the Southeast for a few years after his SAU graduation, received his amateur status back last fall. In the working world, he now calls himself a "weekend golfer."

"It takes special exceptions during the week for me to get out and play now," said Nelson, who works corporate promotions for Double Eagle Marketing. "I'm lucky to play Saturday and Sunday and maybe get out and hit balls or chip and putt a couple of times a week."

But Saturday was like being back at home for Nelson, playing his collegiate home course in his amateur return. He called his round "blah," especially in comparison to Soucinek.

"It's a little bit easier for me to come out here in my first event and play this course," admitted the 26-year-old. "I played it so much in the past that makes it easier. If I hadn't been playing here, the number (my score) would have been bigger, I'm sure of that."

The 31-year-old McCarty admitted he hasn't been playing much either because of work and family obligations and a bum shoulder. All of that may have contributed to a bogey on his first hole (No. 15). But he said a couple of really good par-saving putts helped salvage his round.

"When I hit my drives decent, everything else falls into place," said the Tiffin, Iowa, resident of a strength of Saturday's effort. "It helped that all my misses were below the hole and that's what you have to do here."

Soucinek said he felt some additional pressure being the two-time defending champ of this event. It may have shown on the course moe than in his score. Playing partner Joe Irwin said he had never seen Soucinek play so bad. But Soucinek still got it around in 2-under thanks to the two eagles = hitting in from 90 yards on the 360-yard fourth hole and from 60 yards out on the 385-yard 15th.

"I really didn't play well," said Soucinek. "My score could have been a little worse or a whole lot better. ... I'm not disappointed with 70, but it could have been better."

Along with the two eagles, he had two birdies and four bogeys = three of those on the back nine, including one in which he said he missed a six-inch side-hill par putt.

"To be honest, I'll be glad when this weekend is over," he said, noting some additional anxiety. "Nobody is putting pressure on me to win three times in a row, but I feel pressure on myself."

Another good final round today and he could be saying the same thing next year. But Nelson and McCarty hope to have something to say about that.