Allenby, Frank Share 36-Hole Lead At Windsor Roseland

ALLENBY, FRANK SHARE THE LEAD AFTER 36 HOLES IN WINDSOR – STRICKLER ONE BACK OF LEAD HEADING TO WEEKEND-
 

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD (Bold denotes Canadian)

James Allenby – Langley, BC – 65-69 (-6)

Garrett Frank – Youngstown, OH – 65-69 (-6)

Will Strickler – Dallas, TX – 69-66 (-5)

Michael Gligic – Burlington, ON – 70-66 (-4)

Wes Heffernan – Calgary, AB – 70-66 (-4)

Hugo Leon – Chile – 69-67 (-4)

Matt Marshall – Scottsdale, AZ – 70-68 (-2)

Joe Panzeri – Meridian, ID – 65-73 (-2)

Danny Sahl – Edmonton, AB – 70-68 (-2)

Jesse Speirs – Bangor, ME – 69-69 (-2)
(August 17, 2012 – Windsor, ON) – James Allenby of Langley, BC will head into the weekend at the Jamieson WFCU Windsor Roseland Charity Classic with a share of the lead after a one-under 69 at Roseland Golf & Curling Club Friday.
Allenby sits tied with Youngstown, OH’s Garrett Frank atop the leaderboard at six-under after 36 holes. The 25-year old Allenby carded three birdies and two bogeys in round two and matched Frank’s 69 from earlier in the day.
Allenby’s consistent play this season is a far cry from his up and down year in 2011. The former Oregon State Beaver sits in 18th spot on the money list, and a near win at the Dakota Dunes Casino Open last month, has momentum in his favour heading down the home stretch.
“That event was massive for my confidence. It’s been the biggest thing in my career so far,” said Allenby, who finished one shot shy of a playoff in Saskatoon. “I was just one swing away from taking that tournament down and I want to keep building off that.”
“I’ve played smart golf on the tough holes and taken advantage on some of the easier holes,” said Allenby. “There are a lot of bunkers in play for me, and they’re very challenging when you hit into them as I have found out these past two days.”
Frank, who has only made two cuts in four starts and is currently 78th on the money list, overcame a rough start to post three closing birdies to reach the top of the leaderboard.
“I sort of steadied the ship after a rough start and played some good golf coming in,” said Frank. “I’m going to get some things ironed out on the range this afternoon and be ready for tomorrow.”

The 40-year old was playing with Danny Sahl and Wes Heffernan, two Albertans who shot a combined six-under Friday. Frank said the solid play of his playing companions spurred him to a good round.
“When the guys in your group are tearing it up, it kind of gets you going,” said Frank. “That sort of helped me turn things around.”

One shot behind Allenby and Frank was 26-year old Will Strickler, who shot a 66 Friday to sit five-under par for the tournament. Strickler, who like Allenby was in contention in Saskatoon – he lost in a four-hole playoff to eventual winner Matt Hill – said he’s hungry to get back in the hunt this week.
“I played well enough in Saskatoon to get a taste of it and I really want to contend again on the weekend,” said Strickler, who played the PGA TOUR last year and says he’s improving each year as a pro.

“I might not have expected to be on the PGA TOUR last year, but I definitely learned a lot and I feel like I’m a better player because of it,” said Strickler.
Sitting a four-under was a star-studded trio that included ATB Financial Classic presented by TELUS champion Michael Gligic as well as former Canadian Tour winners Wes Heffernan and Hugo Leon.

Two shots back in seventh place were former Canadian Tour winners Danny Sahl and Joe Panzeri as well as Scottsdale, AZ’s Matt Marshall and Canadian Tour rookie Jesse Speirs.
First round co-leader and Windsor native David Byrne struggled to a 76, falling to one-over par in 34th position.
The 36-hole cut of +3 was the highest of the 2012 season so far and included Order of Merit leader Matt Hill among its victims.

The third round of the Jamieson WFCU Windsor Roseland Charity Classic will begin Saturday at 8:21 with players going off in twosomes.