CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION

“I survived today,” Frankenreider said following his round. “It was tough conditions and I wasn’t swinging it as well as I was yesterday; yesterday was kind of autopilot and today was a lot of work. I felt like the round could’ve gone worse.”

After an opening-round 66 on Monday, Frankenreider’s 73 included two birdies, four bogeys and 12 pars, and culminated in a three-shot advantage for the 56-year-old. Tuesday marked the fifth-consecutive State Senior Am round with Frankenreider’s name atop the leaderboard.

Joining Frankenreider in Wednesday’s final group is a familiar face in Brad Kay (Arlington Heights). Playing alongside the defending champion each of the first two days, the 2018 CDGA Senior Amateur champion posted a 4-over 75 Tuesday and sits at even par for the tournament at day’s end.

“Scot’s been fun to watch these first couple of days,”  said Kay regarding his playing partner. “He does not make many mistakes. That will have to go into the strategy tomorrow.”

Tim Ratty (Highland Park) secured Low Super Senior honors (given to the best score from a player 65 or up through two rounds) in the 66-year-old’s first State Senior Am appearance since 2012. Ratty carded rounds of 73 Monday and 74 Tuesday, and is in a four-way tie for 10th place.

In total, 37 players advanced from Tuesday’s second round to compete for the title on Wednesday morning. Among those is two-time champion Tim Sheppard (East Peoria), whose rounds of 71 and 72 put him in the final group with Frankenreider and Kay. Sheppard is looking to become just the second player to win three or more Illinois State Senior Amateur titles.