Just Getting Started

Brandon Bingaman from The Bridges Golf and Country Club in Montrose, who won the National Car Rental Colorado PGA Assistants Championship in early August, is leading the way for the Colorado contingent after Thursday’s opening round of the national Assistant Championship in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The former Colorado Mesa University golfer shot an even-par 72 and shares 40th place out of 132 players. Bingaman made three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey on Thursday.

Other scores from Colorado players were a 73 from Ben Lanting of Bear Creek Golf Club, a 75 from University of Colorado men’s assistant coach Pat Grady and an 80 from Jack Allen of Heritage Eagle Bend.

Four players share the lead at 66: Jesse Massie of Kentucky, J.P. Griffin of Georgia, Chris Mory of Michigan and Ryan Botts of Tennessee.

Play will continue through Sunday, with a cut to the low 70 players and ties coming after Friday’s second round.

Here are the scores from all the Coloradans competing this week in Florida:

40. Brandon Bingaman, The Bridges GC 72
54. Ben Lanting, Bear Creek GC 73
81. Pat Grady, University of Colorado 75
122. Jack Allen, Heritage Eagle Bend GC 80