From staff reports

Chase Smith and Mike Hurley distanced themselves from the field Saturday during the Warren County Championships, and the two will be in the last group that tees off this morning.

Smith, the defending Class 1A state golf champion, shot a blistering 65, a round that included five birdies, an eagle and no bogeys. He sits at 7-under par and four strokes ahead of Hurley.

Hurley, the two-time defending county champion shot a 69 on Saturday. Hurley and Smith will tee off at 10:40 this morning with Greg Clement and Matt Hossley.

Clement shot a 2-over 74 to trail Hurley by five shots and Smith by nine.

Hossley shot a 75 to round out the final group.

The county championships are played annually at Clear Creek and many of the top finishers will comprise Clear Creek’s team when it battles the Vicksburg Country Club later in the year in the Warren County Cup.