Ethan Farnam moved into the lead today (Chicago Tribune)
CHESTERTON, Indiana (July 20, 2017) -- Northwestern University incoming freshman
Ethan Farnam posted the low score of the second round this afternoon at the Northern Amateur, a 4-under 68. After shooting the same score in yesterday's round, Farnam is four shots ahead of the field at 8-under-par for the tournament.
The left-hander Farnam would go out on a front-nine tear, making a ridiculous five birdies, only bogeying the fifth hole. He would play his back nine at even-par to keep himself in the top spot moving into Friday's round.
Farnam is a top-ranked junior player who made an early commitment to attend Northwestern University this fall. He is staying close to home despite having a number of top golf programs interested in him -- especially after he qualified for the 2015 U.S. Amateur.
"Northwestern was simply the most logical fit for me, Farnam told Golfweek at the time. "It is one of the best educational institutions in the world, and I feel at home with (director of golf and player development) Pat Goss and (head coach) David Inglis."
The Northern Amateur would be a natural fit as well, but there is 18 holes of golf before a champion is crowned.
OPENING ROUND RECAP
CHESTERTON, Indiana (July 19, 2017) -- Brandon Bogdanovich did something on the front nine that most golfers don't ever do in their life during a full round of golf -- record two eagles.
The Mercer University sophomore rode his front nine momentum to a round of 67, good for the first round lead at the Northern Amateur.
Bogdanovich, from Suwanee, Georgia, started hot with an eagle on the 535-yard par 5 first hole, and repeated the feat with another eagle on No. 6, a longer par 5 of 576 yards. Add a birdie on Sand Creek Country Club's 180-yard 8th hole, and Bogdanovich was on his way to something special.
Alas, he cooled off a bit, coming home in even par 36 but his first round total of 5-under 67 gives him a one stroke cushion over Ethan Farnam of Crystal Lake, IL.
Northwestern University commit Ethan Farnam, went bogey free in his round of 68 today.
Another rising star, junior player James Piot, will be joining his brother Glenn at Michigan State University this fall. Before that happens, the 2015 come-from-behind winner of the Michigan Junior Amateur championship would no-doubt like to add another accolade to his resume.
His 3-under 69 included six birdies, a bogey, and an unfortunate double on the scoreable par-5 10th hole.
ABOUT THE
Northern Amateur
Popular national amateur tournament played
from
1967-2001 (with a solid list of past
champions)
returned to the schedule in 2011. 54-hole
stroke
play championship with a field of 96 players.
Par-3 contest held after round 1.
View Complete Tournament Information