Grider Continues Stellar Play at 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open - Extends Lead to Three Shots
TYLER, TX - Ryan Grider of Lewisville, Texas followed up his opening round 63 with a solid 4-under-par, 35-31–66 during the second round of the 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open. Grider, who held a two shot lead after day one, extended his lead today. He now sits atop the leaderboard by three shots and stands at 11-under-par for the Championship.
“I figured on hole ten after hitting a bad drive that this round could kind of go two ways. I could either recover from it, stay positive and get back on track or let them [bad shots] turn me around. I was lucky enough to hit some good shots coming in…and just made a couple putts,” said Grider.
Grider was able to recover from a double bogey on the 516 yard, par 4, 7th hole after hitting his approach shot in the water. He steadied himself making par on holes 8 and 9 and then made four birdies on the back-nine.
Scores were slightly higher today as the course played 0.27 of a shot harder in round two compared to the first round with an average of 71.19 (+1.19 over par). This year has also seen higher scores due to the tougher course conditions, namely longer rough, more wind and firmer greens.
The Championship features two additional divisions, Low Amateur and Low PGA Professional. Holden Wisener (a) of Dallas Texas leads the Amateur Division at 4-under-par. Wisener, who earlier in the summer captured the 113th Texas Amateur held at nearby Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler. He is one of four amateurs to make the cut. Three PGA professionals made the cut and JJ Killeen, PGA head professional at Red Feather Golf and Social Club leads the contingent. “I played pretty solid. I kept in play, had birdie putts, really makeable ones on multiple holes which is the key,” said Killeen. The others to make the cut were also from the Northern Texas Section. Spencer Dillard, PGA assistant professional at Preston Trail Golf Club and Brian Norman, PGA instructor at Lakewood Country Club.
The 52nd Higginbotham Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play Championship and runs through Friday, July 29. Third round tee-times will begin on the first and tenth hole at 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning. This year’s Championship boasts a $200,250 purse.
The Cascades Country Club
Par: 35-35–70
Yardage: 6,882 yards
View Round Two results
HERE
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Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm was established in 1948 and ranks by revenue as the nation’s 20th largest independent insurance firm, making it the largest Texas-based broker. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals through locations coast to coast, Higginbotham’s approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads.
ABOUT THE CASCADES COUNTRY CLUB
The Cascades Country Club, a Master-Planned 5-Star community, is the most comprehensive community in East Texas. This luxury lake front golf, tennis, fitness and residential community sits on 386 acres and is located just five miles from downtown Tyler, Texas. The Cascades Country Club is also conveniently located midway between Dallas, Texas, and Shreveport, Louisiana. The Cascades Country Club was re-designed by PGA Tour player Mark Hayes to challenge players at any skill level. Lush, tour-quality greens and broad fairways wind among tall oak and pine trees, with many holes set alongside scenic lakes on the golf course, and a stunning back drop framed by Lake Bellwood greeting you on your first tee shot of the day.
ABOUT THE NORTHERN TEXAS PGA
The Northern Texas PGA is one of 41 Sections of the PGA of America and its geographic territory includes the State of Texas north of the 31st latitude, or just north of Austin. The Northern Texas PGA has approximately 900 PGA members and associates employed at more than 300 facilities.
The Northern Texas PGA has 17 full-time staff members and is currently headquartered in Dallas. The Northern Texas PGA will be joining the PGA of America national office relocation to Frisco in the summer of 2022 with its own state-of-the-art headquarters on the PGA Frisco campus.
In addition to managing the day-to-day affairs of the Section, the Northern Texas PGA also operates a non-profit and charitable foundation that focuses on five pillars: junior golf, college scholarships, inclusion, internships and military & veterans.
