THUNDER BAY – Evan DeGrazia expected to spend his summer trying to land a permanent spot on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada.
But when COVID-19 struck, that dream was put on hold for a year, the tour deciding to cancel the season with too much uncertainty surrounding the Canada/United States border.
So instead, the 25-year-old Newberry College graduate, who had a six-tournament conditional tour status in 2020, will work on his game closer to home.
Paired with his father John on Saturday, DeGrazia rolled in a 14-foot putt on the 18th hole at Chapples Golf Course to grab a share of the lead with the team of Chris Gardner and Hayden Hickey, both sides shooting seven-under 64s to open the 2020 Mallon's Play it Again Sports Two-Man Better Ball Tournament.
It was just great to be out on the course, said the younger DeGrazia.
“It's good. It was looking very bleak and for me it still was bleak. But getting to come out and play some tournaments is really good, especially playing with my dad today. It doesn't get much better than that,” he said.
The DeGrazia's finished strong, birdying three of their final four holes. Not to be outdone by his son, John DeGrazia helped keep the momentum going on No. 16, draining a lengthy birdie putt of his own.
“That was nice. He's a good putter and snuck that one in for us. That was huge,” the younger DeGrazia said.
The DeGrazias birdied three of the first four holes in the better-ball format, but a bogey on the par 4 third put them two shots behind Gardner and Hickey, a deficit they'd take to the back nine.
For Hickey, whose team had five birdies on the front nine, it was nice to get out of the house and catch up with the guys again.
“It was fun. Golf is up and down for sure. My partner was on fire today, so luckily we came out all right. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. We're in a good spot and hope to keep it going.”
Playing with the lead is never a bad thing on Sunday, and Hickey said he doesn't expect the duo will feel any added pressure when the action switches to Strathcona Golf Course.
“You just go play golf, hit the shots you've got to hit, try to keep the ball in play and make some birdies – and hope your partner is there for you when when you're not. We'll slug it out and see what we can do.”
Neither of the leaders has much cushion to play with.
Robbie Untinen and Ryan Pietila are just one shot back after a six-under 65, tied with Matt Glomba and Christian Adamo, who caught fire coming out of second flight.
“The competition is great,” said Untinen. “Everyone just seems super excited to be out here and be able to see each other. I think that was the nicest part.”
The format helps, he added.
“If I didn't have my partner today there would have been some situations, since we haven't really played golf that much, that I think I would have had a little bit of trouble. We had a good day. It was super nice outside. I think we were just making some putts. We hit our tee ball well today and the putter was going decent.”
Jeremy Kirk and Conor Carr are another shot back at -5, while the teams of Walter Keating Jr. And Jack Moro and Peter Lovis and Aaron Walsh are four off the pace after shooting identical three-under 68s.
