Posted Online: May 17, 2008 10:34PM

Wilkens has birthday surprise

By Caleb Horvath, chorvath@qconline.com

ALEDO -- Chris WilkIns had himself quite a 36th birthday.

At the first event of the 2008 Quad City Amateur Tour season, Wilkins posted a 2-under-par 70 at Hawthorn Ridge Golf Club to lead the 76-player field.

``I just kept the ball in play, and I played the par 5s really well.'' said Wilkins, who was 3 under on the four par 5s.

With a one shot lead over Kirk Trede, and a two shot lead over Adam Seitz, Wilkins hopes to continue his strong play in today's final 18 holes.

``I want to come out with the same approach,'' Wilkins said. ``You have to take one shot at a time.''

Without reigning player of the year Ben Peters in the field, it is anyone's game today, with six players within four shots of the lead.

Mike Long leads the 18-player seniors division after posting a 1-over 73, and Preston Boyd is right behind with a 74.