Ehlinger shot a second round-best 67 on the South course at Reid Park Golf Course on Sunday, good enough to put him in a tie for third with Sean Ryan, Joe Turney and Andy Bonar at 139.
“I was just glad to get under par and keep myself in the tournament after the first weekend,” said Ehlinger, the Tecumseh High School boys golf coach. “That was my only goal, to be a couple shots back going into next weekend.
“If you’re within a couple shots, anything can happen.”
Ehlinger, who won his first title in 1997, hasn’t played competitively in a few years due to vacations and health issues. He had a gallery of people following, including his four children, Ava, Luke, Tate and Esme.
He shot 72 on the North course on Saturday, and said he felt sharper in the second round.
“I felt better mentally than I did yesterday,” Ehlinger said.
Ehlinger holds the City Am four-round scoring mark with a 276 in 2004.
Different day, same score: After each shooting 68 on Saturday, former champions Turney and Ryan each shot 71 on the North course on Sunday.
Turney said he knew Ryan was close to par, but didn’t ask his score until they were walking off the 18th green.
Last year, they played three rounds together, and they may be paired up again next weekend.
“We play a lot of golf together,” Turney said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Pine tree problems: Bonar shot 70 on Reid South, a day after shooting 69 on the much more difficult North course.
“I played OK, but I didn’t get much out of my round,” Bonar said. “I didn’t take advantage of the Par 5s.”
On No. 10, Bonar hit into a pine tree and had to use his putter to retrieve it.
“It was the only club I could use,” Bonar said. “I couldn’t stand upright. It was the only club I could grip low enough and still hit it out.”
Cut line: 90 players advanced to next weekend’s second round. The third and fourth rounds will be held on the North course.
Bill DeWitt was the final qualifier at 171. James Chapman and John Combs barely missed out, each shooting 172.
The field will be cut to 50 for next Sunday’s final round.
Ohio Am: Ehlinger, Bonar and Parsons will all play in the Ohio Amateur Championship at NCR Country Club, which begins with a practice round today.
“Hopefully, I can keep grooving it a little more,” Ehlinger said.
NCR will be an even bigger challenge, Bonar said.
“It’s a neat course,” Bonar said. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a monster of a course.”
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