Arlington Heights grad shoots 66 to take Fort Worth junior golf lead
As a bag boy, Zachary Campbell had only played River Crest Country Club a handful times before Tuesday. But in the last year, Campbell has spent hours at the course watching and learning, figuring out its soft spots and where trouble lies.
His experience, if only second-hand, paid off in the second round of the Fort Worth junior golf championship.
Campbell, a Fort Worth Arlington Heights graduate, shot a 4-under 66 to take a seven-shot lead into Wednesday’s third round at Shady Oaks Country Club.
The Houston Baptist signee survived tough conditions Monday for a 3-over 73 at Riverside Golf Club in Grand Prairie. Grapevine Faith’s Jackson Markham is in second place after shooting 73.
Campbell entered Tuesday four strokes behind leader Brendan Powers, a 14-year-old from Mansfield who shot a 69 at Rockwood Golf Course in Fort Worth.
But as the two played two groups apart at River Crest, their scores went in opposite directions.
Campbell made five birdies, including one on No. 18, where his approach shot landed within two feet of the hole. His only bogey came as the result of a three putt.
Powers shot a 79 and slipped to 8-over for the tournament.
“[I] putted kind of good, and that kept me from hitting 90,” Powers said. “It was kind of difficult making the transition from Rockwood to here, just because the greens are so much faster. I got used to it and putted pretty good at the end.”
Campbell took advantage of more familiar surroundings. While a steady wind continued to blow Tuesday, River Crest was more receptive to scoring, he said.
“Riverside was tough and windy. It was a fine line between 73 and 80,” Campbell said. “You come out here [to River Crest], and it’s a little bit more fair. You get a little bit more kicks, and the putts roll a lot better. I just hit the ball the same and took advantage when I hit it close. Those were the only real birdies I had, when I was 5 or 6 feet away.”
Campbell said there won’t be as many similar opportunities — if any — at Shady Oaks, which could play tougher than any of the courses this week.
“Tomorrow’s the tournament,” Campbell said. “I’m familiar enough [with the course]. I know to hit in the middle of the green and try to two-putt and make some pars. Par them to death, and you’ll have a good round.”
Powers is tied for third with Flower Mound’s Shepherd Branch, who’s at 8 over after two 74s.
Ryan Osborne, 817-390-7760
Twitter: @RyanOsborneFWST
This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 8:50 PM with the headline "Arlington Heights grad shoots 66 to take Fort Worth junior golf lead."