Wife helps Robert Dofflemyer III learn to conquer Ingersoll in Men's City golf tourney

Ingersoll, at 6,157 yards, is known for being one of Rockford’s shortest and tightest tournament golf courses. For years, Robert Dofflemyer III played it “smart” at Ingersoll, staying safe by hitting a lot of irons off the tee.

The heck with that, his wife told him two years ago. Hit your driver.

Dofflemyer listened. As a result, he shot a course-record 62 last year en route to winning his third Greater Rockford Men’s Golf Classic. He bombed his driver long and straight again Friday to shoot a 63 and take a four-stroke lead after the first of three rounds in this year’s Men’s City.

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“It’s kind of crazy,” said Dofflemyer, who is 8-under par to Adam Tobias’ 4-under and TJ Baker’s 3-under. “I play the course different now. I try to hit driver as much as I can. These greens are tough to judge, so you might as well try to get as close to the hole as possible and hit short wedges. It’s just as hard to judge the bounce from 50 yards as 110, but your misses aren’t going to be as bad.”

Dofflemyer drove the green on the 340-yard 11th hole and made a 25-foot eagle putt. He also birdied four holes in a row before missing a 7-footer on 18 to finish with a 29 on the back nine.

“I didn’t give any shots back on the greens,” Dofflemyer said. “I missed a few short ones, but the greens are harsh here. You are going to have a few that don’t go in.”

Justin Sick and Kevin Beckett are tied for fourth at 1-under, the only other players under par. Matt LaMarca, Kyle Rhymer and Danny Gorman were next at even-par 71.

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Ella Greenberg leads the women’s field with a 1-over 72, one shot ahead of her younger sister, Eva Greenfield, and Tammy Wu. Annie Wu is three shots back with a 75, Kyra Simon and Brianna Chamoun are at 76. Defending champ Kayla Sayyalinh is the only other player in the 70s with a 78. Dofflemyer’s wife, three-time champion Melissa Dofflemyer, and Ava Kalt are nine strokes back at 81.

The two tournaments move to Sandy Hollow on Saturday before finishing at Aldeen on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Wife helps Robert Dofflemyer III learn to conquer Ingersoll in Men's City golf tourney