Blair Anderson intends to tune out the world this weekend to concentrate on a return to the top of the leaderboard at the 2011 Men's Simon Fraser Open.
"When I'm on the course I try to stay in the moment and worry about the next shot, not let my mind wander," said Anderson. " You don't want to let you're mind wander and think about other things that distract you."
The 20-year-old wrapped up the first day at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club, shooting a 70, one-under par, to put him in the hunt for the championship. Anderson won the tournament in 2008.
"I just wanted to get a good score and not get to far behind," said Anderson. "You can't win on the first day, but you can put yourself out of it."
Anderson posted six birdies and five bogies, putting him one off leader Mike Legg's pace of 69, two-under. Cole Shaw, the 2010 winner, finished the day tied with Anderson for second. The tournament continues today before crowning a champion Sunday.
"I just missed a green -- you should never miss a green from 60 yards away, " said Anderson, about his performance on the ninth hole.
"All I can control is how I play -- I just have to go out there and play well and, hopefully, it works out," said Anderson.
Brenden Kelner, a 16-year-old at Dutchess Park secondary school, is playing in the tournament for the first time, and looking to rebound on the weekend after shooting an 87 (+16).
"I made a couple of rookie mistakes," said Kelner, adding his putter let him down early in the day. "It's not one of my best rounds, but I hope to do better [today]."
Out of 97 golfers, Kelner sat tied for 62nd after Friday. Shane Ruffell had the high score of the day at 106.
There are 14 golfers within six of Legg heading into Saturday's action, including Kevin Pederson and John Duncan, tied at 71 [even] and Jordan Siegmueller and Tobin Senum at one-over, 72.
Despite the disappointing score, Kelner said, it was nice to finally play in the the tournament and measure himself against other Prince George duffers.
"It's always good to see people out there," he said. "It doesn't matter what you shoot as long as you have fun."
Tee off for Anderson today is 10:24 a.m., while Shaw hits the links at 10:33 and Legg gets back to work at 10:42. Kelner gets going at 10:06.
