Jackson County Central graduate Brett Benson, now of Bird Island, has a one-stroke lead after his first two rounds of the 101st Northwest Amateur at Spencer Golf and Country Club.
Benson followed up Thursday’s 68 with another 68 on Friday for a 36-hole total of 8-under 136. He hit 33 of 36 greens in the two rounds and has recorded six birdies, 10 pars and two bogeys.
Playing in the first wave in the field of the 380 total golfers in the tournament, Benson will now have Saturday off before playing 36 holes in the Championship Flight on Sunday. Those in the other two waves will play their second qualifying round on Saturday.
Two golfers are tied for second behind Benson.
Mason Roloff of Blaine, who is a sophomore with the University of Minnesota men’s golf team, has carded rounds of 68 and 69 for a one-under total of 137 and he will also wait until Sunday to play again.
Joshua Manske of Algona shot a one-under 65 in his first round on Friday. He will play his second round on Saturday afternoon.
Manske is a one-time touring pro on the Hooters Tour who played college golf at Grand View, where he was a three-time all American.
Benson, who is the high school principal at BOLD High School in Olivia, was the 2004 Class A state champion at JCC. He played college golf at NCAA Division II Augustana before transferring to Division I Jackson State in Mississippi.
Benson is a 10-time men’s champion at Jackson Golf Club.
Austin Olson of Jackson, who won the 2022 JGC men’s title, is also playing in the Northwest Amateur.
He’s at +11 155 on rounds of 79 and 76.