Out in Frontis

Four-time champion seizes one-shot lead ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — If there was any added pressure with a bit of history within his reach, Dusty Frontis sure didn’t show it in Friday’s opening round of the Yakima Amateur Invitational.

Dusty Frontis, a four-time champion of the The Yakima Amateur Invitational golf tournament, lines up a shot while fellow golfers Corey DeGrood, center, and Aaron Adams wait in the shade on Friday at Apple Tree Golf Course. (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Instead, the two-time defending champion made it clear to the strong field of challengers that it won’t be easy to unseat him.

Frontis opened this year’s defense with a masterful tour of Apple Tree Golf Course, firing a 4-under par 68 to grab a one-shot lead over playing partner Corey DeGrood and Carey  Weedman.

The crowded leaderboard features four more players within three shots of the lead. Gary Hutchins is fourth after a 70, and three players are tied at 71 — Zach Wanderscheid, Jeff Larkin and Aaron Adams, who was the third member of Frontis’ group.

Frontis is attempting to become the first player to win three straight times in what started as the Yakima City Tournament in 1944. A victory would also make Frontis just the third five-time champion.

Today’s second round is at Mount Adams Country Club, with the closing round Sunday at SunTides Golf Course.

Yakima Amateur Invitational

FIRST-ROUND SCORES

Friday at Apple Tree, par 72

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT

Gross: 1, Dusty Frontis 68; 2, (tie) Corey DeGrood 69, Carey Weedman 69; 4, Gary Hutchins 70; 5, (tie) Zach Wanderscheid 71, Jeff Larkin 71, Aaron Adams 71.

Net: 1, Adams 68; 2, (tie) Larkin 69, Weedman 69; 4, (tie) Frontis 71, DeGrood 71, Hutchins 71, Brad Donahue 71, Kody McDonnell 71.

FIRST FLIGHT

Gross: 1, Gary Gredvig 75; 2, Tim Fortier 77; 3, Ray Gallipo 78.

Net: 1, Fortier 67; 2, Doug Darwood 69; 3, Gredvig 70.

SECOND FLIGHT

Gross: 1, Michael Dubrule 80; 2, (tie) Tony Whitley 82, James Rogers 82; 4, Rod Knoepfle 86.

Net: 1, Dubrule 61; 2, Knoepfle 68; 3, (tie) Whitley 69, Rogers 69.

SECOND-ROUND TEE TIMES

Today at Mount Adams Country Club, Toppenish

9 a.m.: Randy Boast, Michael Dubrule, Robert Washabaugh.

9:08: Reidar Nettleship, Carey Weedman, Jeff Larkin, Kody McDonnell.

9:16: Willie Edwards, Kyle Ancheta, Andrew Eakin, Heath Reeves.

9:24: Rod Johnston, Ron Whitaker, David Fast, James Rogers.

9:40: Dusty Frontis, Corey DeGrood, Aaron Adams.

9:48: Doug Hearron, Ward Jackson, Gary Hutchins, Perry Page.

9:56: Troy Wilmoth, Russ Arbuckle, Jerry Besel, Ron Eakin.

10:04: Mike Melton, Tim Fortier, Jim Page, Lewis Bassell.

10:12: Tommy Dang, David Barnes, Martin Davis.

10:20: Rod Knoepfle, Ed Parkins, Bob Bergeron, Tony Whitley.

10:36: Zach Wanderscheid, Ivan Porcayo, Trini Madrigal.

10:44: Dan Lantz, Jerry Ward, Billl Krapf, Robin Cushing.

10:52: James Eglin, Doug Darwood, Ron McClain.

11:00: Jeff Stevens, Dan Gavic, Ray Gallipo, Gary Gredvig.

11:08: Zach Mayer, Kenny Leadon, Brad Donahue, Matt Crockett.