Ellis ahead
IM golfer leads U.P. by three shotsBy BURT ANGELI, Sports Editor
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Second-round results Wednesday from the 95th annual U.P. Golf Association Men's Championships at Oak Crest Golf Course in Norway:
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT
136 - Jon Ellis, Iron Mountain Pine Grove, 69-67.
139 - Chad Tirschel, Iron Mountain Pine Grove, 71-68.
143 - Tom LaVigne, Iron Mountain Pine Grove, 69-72; Scott Sanders, Iron Mountain Pine Grove, 69-74.
144 - Dan Anderson, Norway Oak Crest, 73-71; Tim Drees, Menominee River, 71-73; Matt Smith Jr., Gladstone Irish Oaks, 72-72.
145 - Mike Nagy, Manistique Indian Lake, 69-76; Matt Argall, Gladstone Terrace Bluff, 69-76.
146 - Jim Markell, Iron Mountain Pine Grove, 72-74; Rob Ryan, Manistique Indian Lake, 71-75; Joe Quinn, Gladstone Golf Club, 72-74; Erik Johnson, Marquette, 73-73.
147 - Wesley Stripling, Menominee River, 72-75; Barry O'Connor, Pickford Monoscong, 71-76.
148 - Eric Stern, Marquette Gentz's Home, 74-74
NORWAY - Iron Mountain Pine Grove's Jon Ellis turned in another red number Wednesday.
Ellis, who opened the 95th annual U.P. Golf Association Men's Championships with a three-under 69, came back with a 67 to take a three-shot lead after two rounds.
"The putter has really been going and I really didn't get into any trouble," Ellis said.
Ellis, who followed a double bogey with an eagle Tuesday, eagled the 13th with a 40-foot chip Wednesday.
Norway's Chad Tirschel also fired a sub-par round, carding a 68 for a 139. Tirschel tallied four birdies on the front nine for a 32.
"I think I could have done better," said Tirschel, recalling missed makeable birdie putts on Nos. 7 and 10. "I left a few out there today. But you can't make them all."
Pine Grove's Tom LaVigne and Scott Sanders shared third at 143. LaVigne toured in par 72 while Sanders slipped to a 74 after a 69 Tuesday.
"I didn't think I'd be playing this well," LaVigne said. "I didn't really hit the ball great but I stayed out of trouble."
Dan Anderson, Oak Crest's 12-time club champion, joined Ellis and Tirschel in breaking par.
"Today I got the putts past the hole," said Anderson, admitting opening-day
nerves may have left him timid out there. "I'm close. We'll see what happens."
Anderson heads into the final two rounds at 144. He has company in two former champions - Tim Drees of Menominee River Club (2006) and Matt Smith Jr. of Gladstone Irish Oaks (2004).
"I should have done better," said Drees, who registered a 73. "I hit the ball better than I did yesterday."
Drees, third in the 2008 U.P. tourney, putted for birdie on 16 greens.
"I just couldn't make a putt," Drees said. "It gives me encouragement that if I start making some putts look out."
Smith matched his opening round of 72.
"I made a few putts, then I started three-putting
to lose a few," he said. "I'm hitting the ball good. I just have to make putts."
Mike Nagy of Manistique Indian Lake and Matt Argall of Gladstone Terrace Bluff, who shared the first-round lead with Ellis and Sanders, both blew up to four-over 76 for a 145 total.
Top 16 golfers comprise championship flight. Eric Stern of Marquette Gentz's Home earned the final berth at 148, beating out Ellis' dad, Randy, and Jim Wagner of Menominee River Golf Club in a tie-breaker.
Third round takes place today, with the final Friday.








