With temperatures hovering in the 40s when he started his round on a bright, sunny Saturday morning, Erik Thompson took a four-stroke lead on the first day of the Anchorage Open at the Anchorage Golf Course.
Thompson carded a 4-over 76 for a four-stroke lead over defending champion Kyle Reading, who is second in the championship flight with an 80.
The day’s best round came from Larry Furstenberg, the defending champ in the men’s senior championship flight. He shot 74, but he’s not eligible for the Open championship -- only golfers in the championship flight can vie for the title.
It’s different in the women’s competition, where the winner can come out of the championship flight or the senior flight.
As a result, a battle between generations will decide the women’s title on Sunday. South High sophomore Abigail Ante produced an 84 Saturday to lead the championship flight, one stroke better than Toyoko Hawkins and two strokes better than Teresa Fisher, who lead the senior flight with scores of 85 and 86, respectively.
The tournament has a field of 69, including 59 men. Of those, 11 are in the championship flight.