The Tuscaloosa golfer shot a two-under par 69 on Monday and holds a slim advantage over a pair of local golfers in the two-day event.
Walker High School golfer and defending tournament champion Weston Griffith is in second place after shooting a one-under 70 while Curry’s Spencer Fikes sits two strokes back at 71 after an even par round.
Hunter Fikes, a Faulkner University signee and recent Curry High School graduate, rounds out today’s final group after a three-over par 74. The foursome will tee off at 9:10 a.m. today.
Griffith is attempting to become the tournament’s second two-time champion and the first since Jonathan Brand won back-to-back Pigeon Dove titles in 1998-99.
Last year Griffith rallied from five strokes down with a final-round 68 to edge Brandon Beasley by a stroke.
Two other local golfers are also within striking distance going into today’s final round. Carbon Hill’s Nick Massey — who made the Class 3A State Golf Tournament this year — and Cordova’s Dustin Sanders are both six strokes back following opening-round 75s.
In the 14-15 divison, Jasper’s Chase Williams hold a two-stroke lead after shooting a 75 on Monday. Parrish’s Matthew Burnett, Tuscaloosa’s Jackson Seawell and Tuscaloosa’s William Walker are tied for second.
Birmingham’s Nash Banks had an outstanding round in the 12-13 division, shooting a one-under par 70 to hold a commanding lead over Birmingham’s Packey Toomey, who shot a 79 on Monday.
Bessemer’s Cassidy Hughes holds an 11-stroke lead in the girls division following an 88 in the opening round.
Kade Perry leads the 11-and-under division with a 63 in nine holes.
The tournament’s last three winners, prior to Griffith, are now part of collegiate teams.
Casey O’Toole, the 2009 winner, plays on the Samford University golf team, 2008 winner Jake Greer was an All-Gulf South Conference selection at UNA this year and 2007 winner Bryan McElderry is on the Morehouse College golf team.
Scores from the first round of the 40th annual Pigeon Dove Tournament held at Musgrove Country Club on Monday. (Par 71)
16-18 division
1. Tyler Hitchner 69 -2
2. Weston Griffith 70 -1
3. Spencer Fikes 71 E
4. Hunter Fikes 74 +3
5. Nick Massey 75 +4
5. Dustin Sanders 75 +4
7. Hunter Beck 77 +6
8. Connor Howard 78 +7
9. Jake Miller 79 +8
9. Jordan Bethune 79 +8
11. Carson Carlisle 80 +9
12. Phillip Fitzgerald 83 +12
13. Kevin Martin 85 +14
13. Lee Gann 85 +14
15. Michael Gilliland 87 +16
16. Jonathan Early 94 +23
14-15 Division
1. Chase Williams 75 +4
2. Matthew Burnett 77 +6
2. Jackson Seawell 77 +6
2. William Walker 77 +6
5. Sam Prater 78 +7
6. Patrick Martin 78 +7
7. Ethan Hughes 81 +10
7. Jace Kemp 81 +10
9. Dalton O'Rear 82 +11
10. Travis Hudson 92 +21
11. Zac Roberts 100 +29
12. Michael Clark 103 +32
12-13 Division
1. Banks Nash 70 -1
2. Packey Toomey 79 +8
3. Chase Thompson 83 +12
4. Connor Stevens 84 +13
5. Braxton Lemley 85 +14
6. Jackson Holladay 91 +20
7. Cole Walker 100 +29
8. Trevor Christian 122 +51
Girls Division
1. Cassidy Hughes 88 +17
2. Molly Norris 99 +28
3. Baylee Norris 102 +31
4. Hali Lyle 120 +49
11-and-under
1. Kade Perry 63 (9 holes)