Driving power goes a long way in this one

Adam Candee

Thursday, July 29, 2004 | 9:48 a.m.

Matt Kodama...68-68 -- 136

Chad Fosburg...68-70 -- 138

Kenny Ebalo...70-69 -- 139

Michael Karlberg...71-69 -- 140

Bryan Schlosser...74-71 -- 145

Brady Exber...73-73 -- 146

Paul Johnson...72-74 -- 146

Matt Kinsinger...73-73 -- 146

Frack Acker...73-73 -- 146

Joe Sawaia...73-73 -- 146

Drive for show, putt for dough?

Sure, but even if the flat stick will determine the winner today in the final round of the Nevada State Amateur at Spanish Trail Country Club, it's still one heck of a show.

First-round co-leader Matt Kodama shot his second consecutive 4-under 68 on Wednesday to claim the outright lead by two strokes over Chad Fosburg, who shot 70 to fall two strokes behind Kodama after sharing the lead to start the day.

Kenny Ebalo was three shots back after firing a 69 and Michael Karlburg, four strokes off the lead, rounded out this morning's last group of the third and final round.

Those pacing the scoreboard, most notably Kodama and Fosburg, were doing so with powerful driving. At 48 years old and still an excellent player, Brady Exber, a six-time Southern Nevada Golf Association player of the year, accepts that most of the field is at a disadvantage against the young bombers.

"This is like a pitch-and-putt for them," said Exber, who began play today tied for sixth after consecutive rounds of 1-over 73.

Clubhouse talk is focusing on how the big hitters are reducing the par 5s to driver-wedge and driver-short iron situations that few can match.

Kodama feels that the Sunrise Course, which serves as this week's back nine, is more conducive to long driving and proved it by shooting 30 there on Tuesday and following that with a 34 on Wednesday. Fosburg, a former prep standout at Durango and Bonanza, has been driving 350 yards since his high school days.

"I think it's an advantage that I can hit it long," Fosburg said.

Ebalo admits to being about 20 yards shorter than Fosburg -- his former high school teammate at Bonanza -- but is relying on a more accurate iron game to keep him in contention. He missed three putts from within 8 feet and posted a double bogey, preventing his 69 from looking even better.

"It's out there," said Ebalo, a senior-to-be at Southern Utah. "The course is giving up birdies, but you still have to make the putts."

That's exactly what Kodama, who recently finished his eligibility at Hawaii, and Fosburg are doing. Kodama felt comfortable with the lead and expressed confidence heading into today.

"I've just got to go out and just do the same thing," said Kodama, the only player to post two rounds under 70.

Fosburg has been on a tear since winning last year's City Amateur and his two-shot deficit does not daunt him.

"I'm going to try to go as low as I can go," Fosburg said. "Hopefully, that will be good enough."

In the net division, Craig Kemnitz entered today's play with a two-stroke lead after consecutive scores of 69.