Golf: Kidd, Stokes lead heading into final round of City Championship

Since 2004, an Odessa College golfer has emerged from the pack to win the Odessa City Golf Championship at Ratliff Ranch Golf Links.

The streak could continue today.

Zach Stokes, who will be a sophomore for the Wranglers next season, carded a 2-under-par 70 Saturday to pull into a first-place tie with John Kidd heading into today’s final round.

Ryan Barcena is one shot behind, with Koy Stribling and Vince Vines tied for fourth, two shots back.

“I got a call from Coach (Paul Chavez) before Friday’s round,” Stokes said. “It would be nice to keep the streak alive.

“The greens were soft and holding really well. And when the wind came up in the middle of the round, I thought that was great because that’s what I practice in all the time.”

Kidd, playing in the group behind Stokes, also finished with a 70 to leapfrog Barcena, Chad Hanchey and first-round leader Kevin Williams.

He also felt that he could have scored much better early in the round had his putter behaved as needed.

“I think the pins in the first six or seven holes really set up for birdies,” Kidd said. “I just couldn’t make any putts.

“If the wind continues to blow, the course will dry out a little and that should help.”

Barcena, who started the day tied with Hanchey and one shot behind Williams, got some early momentum with birdies on the second and third holes.

An errant tee shot on No. 4, however, left the recent Lubbock Christian University graduate with a sidehill lie and a bunker between his ball and the green.

“I tried to get too cute with the shot,” said Barcena, who found himself in the sand after his second shot. “Then I didn’t get out of the bunker very well and two-putted for double bogey to give it back.”

He regrouped, however, and was 3-under on the 14th tee. This time, after a drive down the middle, his approach was carried to the left of the green by the freshening wind.

The pitch didn’t reach the green and his chip raced six feet past. When he failed to make the putt, he again was even on the round and headed toward a 1-over-par 73 for the day.

“My short game really wasn’t very good,” Barcena said. “If that shot on 14 goes another two feet, it’s probably perfect. But it didn’t.”

Stribling is the only player within striking distance that is used to the pressure of the final day at the City Championship, having finished fourth in 2006 when playing in the final group.

He’s looking forward to today’s final round.

“I made five birdies today and shot 1-over, so the scores are there,” he said. “It’s nice to be in position again to win.”