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Large Leads

Southeastern Open leads grow for Batsel, Martin entering final round

Sep 1, 2019 | 8:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – He might be going by ‘coach’ in a matter of weeks, but Dillon Batsel is proving he can more than hang with the city’s top golfers.

Batsel will be entering the final round of the 2019 Southeastern Open with a monstrous eight-stroke lead on Monday, searching for his third title on his home course in four years.

The new head coach of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers golf program shot a one-under, 71 on Sunday and is three-under par through his first two rounds.

Last year’s victor and Desert Blume Open champion Ryan Werre will have some work to do to catch up in Monday’s final round, as he was one-over on moving day.

Batsel and Werre will be joined in the final group by Ryan Vallely and Jamie Scott, who along with Victoria Day Open champ Mitch Kurtz, are all nine shots behind Batsel.

After a close opening round on Saturday, Becky Martin stretched her lead in the ladies division to six strokes over Pat Hall.

Martin, a three time winner of the Southeastern Open, is also looking for her third consecutive victory at Connaught Golf Club.

In the senior men’s race, Merle Kurpjuweit jumped two spots from third to first place on Sunday and leads Lyle Froelich by two shots entering the final round.

Golfers will tee off in a shotgun start on Monday morning at 10:00 am to kick off the final round at the 86th annual Southeastern Open.