2025 Northwest Amateur: Day 1

3-Way Tie for first through the first two flights in Round 1

By Steven Cutler

Bound Iowa

August 1, 2025 9:57 am

Northwest Iowa NowSteven Cutler

Spencer, Ia (Northwest Iowa Now) – The 103rd Northwest Amateur Golf Tournament opened up on Thursday morning at the Spencer Golf and Country Club.

The first group to tee off on the back 9 was all Spencer High School Golfers. AJ Stanley finished the day 5 over par, a week after claiming the Spencer Golf and Country Club Championship. Stanley enjoyed being on the course with his teammates.

Trenton Hallett wasn’t thrilled with his first-round performance, though he had a good day on the Greens.

Every Golfer is guaranteed 36 holes of play at the Northwest Am. Reid Doring says that takes a little pressure off.

Gavin Frederes of Alton finds himself at a log jam of golfers hitting 3 under par after day 1. Frederes put together a really strong back 9.

Ben Hicks of Victoria, Minnesota was also a 3 under par, teeing off in the second flight for the afternoon round. He was also very strong on the back 9, a lot of that due to some good putting.

Knoxville’s Evan Smith is a golfer for Northwestern and has been playing at the Northwest Am for 3 years. He put in his best round on day 1, and finds himself in a 3-way tie for 1stt with 2023 Champion Brett Benson and former Iowa High School State Champion Axton Miller at 6 under par.

Mick Herron of Excelsior Minnesota was told about the Northwest Am from one of his friends. The group of Minnesota guys played well, Herron shot 3 under par to tie for 8th after the first round.