From Deseret News archives:
Branshaw takes early lead amid Utah's birdies, bees
Branshaw posted nine birdies on the first day and overcame a bee sting on his second hole to grab the opening-round lead over 155 other golfers in the PGA Nationwide Tour event.
The 39-year-old New York native takes a one-shot lead into today's second round over tour rookie Brendon Todd and current PGA Tour player Kyle Thompson, who each shot 64. Four more players Colt Knost, Bubba Dickerson, Dave Schultz and Marc Leishman are another shot back at 65.
Former BYU standout Bobby Clampett and Farmington's Daniel Summerhays head a group of nine golfers at 66.
Branshaw was a bit worried when he got the bee sting because he got a severe swelling the last time he was stung. If that happened again, he likely couldn't finish his round, but things turned out fine.
"I guess the bee didn't sting me long enough," Branshaw said afterward as he examined the sting at the base of the middle finger of his right hand.
Until Branshaw came in with his sparkling or should we say, stinging, 63 the big story of the day was the "Four Aces."
Peter Tomasulo started off the fun with an ace at the 203-yard No. 2 hole, his 11th hole of the day, using a 7-iron. Two groups later, Chris Stroud aced the same hole with a 6-iron.
Next it was Jonathan Fricke's turn at the 176-yard No. 5 hole with a 7-iron. Not too long after that, Brian Stuard made a hole-in-one at the 191-yard No. 7 hole using a 7-iron.
This all happened by about the time Branshaw was playing No. 2. He said he saw about half a dozen bees swarming around and suddenly one landed on his finger and stung him. About 10 minutes later, paramedics came to check him out, but according to Branshaw, they told him, "If you're not dead yet, you're OK."
Branshaw was 1-under at the time and added birdies at Nos. 3 and 4, on a chip-in from 15 feet, and another at No. 6 before making his only bogey of the day at No. 9 with a three-putt.
On the back side, he made consecutive birdies at Nos. 12, 13 and 14 and added two more at Nos. 16 and 17.
Branshaw couldn't pinpoint anything spectacular about his round, saying, "It was just a really solid round,"
Comments
- Oil prices spike 3:06 p.m.
- Stocks turn higher 3:03 p.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 3:02 p.m.
- Notre Dame fires Weis 2:52 p.m.
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet 2:51 p.m.
- Mansion tours begin Tuesday 2:48 p.m.
- Chaffetz: Leave Afghanistan 2:37 p.m.
- Mitchell's 'books' are coherent 2:24 p.m.
- Mexican consulate in SLC dies 1:47 p.m.
- eBay fined for selling perfumes 1:46 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
890 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
364 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
248 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
194 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Utes won't respond to Hall
133 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
118 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
91
I know schools sometimes get forced into committing too much to keep...
Once again, the BYU-Utah game lived up to its billing. You could tell it...
We learned a bit more about the basketball team after this weekend.
Any fan on the field is breaking the law. Anything that happens after that...
who are calling for Max to be suspended from the bowl game are really...
I don't think a verbal repremand is enought. I think he should be sidelined...
Animal research is a money game. The poeple who work in these labs are only...
Utes conference finish the last 5 years.....2009-3rd, 2008-1st, 2007-tied for...
I admit it is frustrating, why we do get more injuries than any team it seems...
I would like to say to all those people who think an artist speaks for the...
Pronta recuperacion ha la familia.
see Desert News Associated press Nov 30 2009 1:37 pm mst COURT WON'T REVIVE...
One thing is clear based on the multitude of classless messages throughout...




You can be the first to comment on this story.