Townsend leads CPGA Section Championship after 64 at Grande Dunes

Mike Townsend, the head professional at Kiawah Island Club's Cassique Course, shot an 8-under-par 64, which is believed to be a new competitive course record at the Grande Dunes Resort Course, to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Carolinas PGA Section Professional Championship.

Townsend made six birdies and an eagle in Wednesday’s second round and sits at 9-under 135. Tied for second at 7-under 137 are Chris Haarlow, a lead instructor at Precision Golf School in Browns Summit, N.C., and Gus Ulrich, the Director of Instruction at Pinewild Country Club of Pinehurst, N.C.

The tournament has a purse of approximately $73,000, with up to $10,000 going to the winner, who will also receive his choice of entry into either the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship or Wyndham Championship.

The top nine finishers will qualify for the 2016 PGA Professional Championship, being played June 26-29 at Turning Stone Resort in Verona, N.Y.

Ryan Tyndall of Murrells Inlet, an assistant at the Reserve Club in Pawleys Island, is tied for ninth at 3-under 141 after rounds of 70 and 71. He is the only Grand Strand pro in the top 20.

Gil Feagin of the Coastal Carolina PGA Golf Management Program, Chuck Johns of the General Hackler Course at CCU and Steve Isley of Oak Island Golf Club are among seven players tied for 25th at 1-over 145.

Also at 145 is Robert Linville, the head of Precision Golf School, who made the tournament’s second hole in one Wednesday on the 178-yard second hole. Todd Camplin of Beacon Ridge Golf & Country Club in West End, N.C., aced the 162-yard 11th hole Tuesday.

A total of 52 players from a field of 135 survived the 36-hole cut to advance to the final round. Tee times are from 7:30-8:42 a.m. and spectators are welcome.

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 8:28 PM with the headline "Townsend leads CPGA Section Championship after 64 at Grande Dunes."