Belcher leading Springfield City Tournament

Scott Belcher, a 2005 graduate of Jacksonville High School and second-place finisher at the 2007 Jacksonville City Tournament, is currently leading the Springfield City Tournament after three rounds at 6-under par. It’s the first time Belcher has played in the SCT.

“I wasn’t hitting the ball very well on the front, but I kind of figured it out on the back and was able to come together at the end,” Belcher said of his round Saturday at The Rail.

Belcher, who birdied four of the final five holes Saturday, is one stroke ahead of Springfield’s Dale Blankenship. The final round is today at Piper Glen.

“I feel real comfortable,” said Belcher, who will be a senior at the University of Illinois at Springfield this fall. “I worked with my coach earlier in the week and got some things squared away, and I’m playing on my home course tomorrow for school, and I’m real comfortable out there.”

Belcher was one of 140 golfers who started the four-round tournament last weekend. The top 40 golfers made the cut after the first two rounds.

“It would be nice (to win),” Belcher said. “I’m just now getting my name out here in Springfield and being known as a legitimate player in the area, and for me to come in the first year and to be able to step my game up and prove to people that I can play, it’s real nice.”

If Belcher wins, he won’t have long to savor the victory. Belcher will play in the Illinois State Amateur Championship at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, which starts Tuesday.

“Hopefully I can carry some momentum over from this weekend,” Belcher said.