Russell, Mackenzie-Olson tied for Mid-Am lead

POLSON — Shelby’s James Russell and Ian Mackenzie-Olson of Great Falls propelled up the leaderboard on day two of the 39th Montana State Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship Friday, with Russell shooting a 64 at Polson Bay Golf Course to stay even with Mackenzie-Olson.

Russell, who shot even-par 72 on Thursday, had seven birdies to go with an eagle on No. 14.  

Mackenzie-Olson, a former golf pro in Great Falls who regained his amateur status last fall and is an assistant superintendent at Meadow Lark  Country Club, shot a 66 that included six birdies, three on par-3s. Both golfers sit at 8-under going into Saturday’s final round. 

“Kind of a nervy start,” Russell said Friday. “The first birdie I made I hit it in the wrong fairway and it actually worked out perfect, I had a wide-open look and hit a good shot and made birdie and it just kind of set the tone for the day. Seemed like even a bad shot I hit turned out OK.”  

Trailing by just one stroke is Malta’s Gordon Webb, who followed his first-round 69 with a 68 for a 137 total. In fourth place at 138 is 2025 Montana State Am champion Payton Taylor of Missoula; tied for fifth are Kalispell’s Travis Mays and Lewistown’s Chris McConnell, both at 141. 

Following play on Friday was a Montana Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Polson’s Roger Wallace. 

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