McCullum alone under par after first round of Wilfred Galbraith Invitational, but eight golfers lurk within three strokes at ACC.
By Joe Medley
ANNISTON — Count Taylor McCullum stunned after Friday’s first-round play of the Wilfred Galbraith Invitational.
It’s no shocker that he leads by two strokes. He led after the first go-round at Anniston Country Club two years ago.
Friday’s shocker came in the fact that he was the only golfer to shoot under par.
McCullum, an ACC member who lives in Birmingham, shot 1-under-par 69 to lead five golfers tied for second by two strokes.
Defending champion Jacob LeCroy, former ACC pro Kevin Daugherty, Tanner Wells and Andrew Brooks shot 1-over 71.
Reigning Calhoun County Tour player of the year and current points leader Ty Cole, Gary Wigington and Dustin Travis lurk at 72.
McCullum expressed surprise that he was the only player under par. It didn’t hurt that his was among the last groups to play, and he played his entire round after an hour-and-10-minute delay for weather that included a downpour.
“We actually got lucky,” McCullum said. “It rained for the first little bit when we started, but it was pretty good.
“It was scorable. I wish I’d gotten a little better. because it was soft. It wasn’t easy, but there was no rain or wind.”
As for the groupd at 71, the delay came at different times. Brooks’ group had just finished playing No. 16 when the air horn sounded, calling players off of the course.
“I’m proud of my score,” he said. “I bogeyed the last hole, so it kind left a sour taste in my mouth there at the end, but all in all, I probably would’ve taken a 71 before I teed it up on No. 1.”
Wells resumed play on No. 5 after the delay and bogeyed three of the next four holes hit rebounded with back-to-back birdies on the back nine. He also birdied No. 17.
He said he’s not shocked to see so few players under par.
“It’s really wet out there,” Wells said. “It’s kind of an equalizer for the longer hitters, I guess, but three greens are slow for here. … Three-putts were out there because you think they’re going to be fast down the hill, but they’re five feet short.”
Updates
–Weather horn sounds at 1:20 p.m. Play is in delay.
–Play set to resume at 2:30 p.m.
First-round scores
| PLAYER | RD. 1-2-3 | TOTAL |
| Taylor McCullum | 69 | 69 |
| Brock McNeely | 71 | 71 |
| Jacob LeCroy | 71 | 71 |
| Tanner Wells | 71 | 71 |
| Andrew Brooks | 71 | 71 |
| Kevin Daugherty | 71 | 71 |
| Ty Cole | 72 | 72 |
| Gary Wigington | 72 | 72 |
| Dustin Travis | 72 | 72 |
| Dee Pruitt | 72 | 72 |
| Chandler Wilborn | 73 | 73 |
| Timmy Woodard | 74 | 74 |
| :Landon Wockenfuss | 74 | 74 |
| Dallis Daugherty | 74 | 74 |
| John Rollins | 75 | 75 |
| Jeff Bain | 75 | 75 |
| Jeremy McGatha | 75 | 75 |
| Chad Key | 75 | 75 |
| Mark McCaig | 75 | 75 |
| Ethan McCareeth | 77 | 77 |
| Walker Hobbs | 77 | 77 |
| Caden Wood | 77 | 77 |
| Sawyer Edwards | 77 | 77 |
| Tanner Tabor | 77 | 77 |
| Bob Eaton | 78 | 78 |
| Cain Hollingsworth | 78 | 78 |
| Johnathan Pate | 79 | 79 |
| Charlie Smith | 79 | 79 |
| Greg Shultz | 79 | 79 |
| Chris Reaves | 80 | 80 |
| Caleb Morrow | 80 | 80 |
| Ryan Huff | 80 | 80 |
| Chip Howell | 80 | 80 |
| Andrw Folsom | 81 | 81 |
| Ted Gregerson | 81 | 81 |
| Matt Hunter | 81 | 81 |
| Chase Hollingsworth | 81 | 81 |
| Lee Hubbard | 81 | 81 |
| Kyle Daugherty | 81 | 81 |
| Chance Harris | 82 | 82 |
| Brian Woodfin | 82 | 82 |
| Danny Whittaker | 83 | 83 |
| Bubba Willingham | 84 | 84 |
| Zach Limberis | 84 | 84 |
| Keaton Borrelli | 86 | 86 |
| Taylor Vera | 86 | 86 |
| Lamar Carter | 87 | 87 |
| Mark Cotton | 88 | 88 |
| Eric Stringer | 88 | 88 |
| Matt Greer | 88 | 88 |
| Jono Waugh | 88 | 88 |
| Chase Arnold | 89 | 89 |
| Dre Davenport | 90 | 90 |
| Clay Culbert | 91 | 91 |
| Scott Jimerson | 99 | 99 |
Saturday tee times (blue tees)
8 a.m.: Taylor McCullum, Andrew Brooks, Kevin Daugherty, Brock McNeely.
8:10 a.m.: Tanner Wells, Jacob LeCroy, Gary Wigington, Ty Cole.
8:20 a.m.: Dee Pruitt, Dustin Travis, Chandler Wilborn, Timmy Woodard.
8:30 a.m.: Dallis Daugherty, Landon Wockenfuss, Jeremy McGatha, Mark McCaig.
8:40 a.m.: Jeff Bain, John Rollins, Chad Key, Tanner Tabor.
8:50 a.m.: Ethan McCareeth, Walker Hobbs, Caden Wood, Sawyer Edwards.
9 a.m.: Bob Eaton, Cain Hollingsworth, Greg Shultz, Charlie Smith.
9:10 a.m.: Johnathan Pate, Caleb Morrow, Ryan Huff, Chip Howell.
9:20 a.m.: Chris Reaves, Matt Rogers, Andrew Folsom, Lee Hubbard.
9:30 a.m.: Ted Gregerson, Matt Hunter, Chase Hollingsworth, Kyle Daugherty.
