As the head professional and director of the Twin Lakes Junior Golf Academy, Chad Cantwell has played countless rounds of golf at his family-owned Twin Lakes Country Club.

“I don’t even know how many rounds I’ve played here,” Cantwell said, “but I have about 300 holes in this week.”

That extra preparation paid off as he vaulted to the top of the leaderboard in the 57th annual Men’s County Open on Saturday. Playing the second round on his home course, Cantwell shot a 3-under par 68 (34-34) with seven birdies and four bogeys.

The two-time champion will take a four-shot lead over first-round leader and brother Chris Cantwell into today’s final round at The Club at Strawberry Creek. Six-time champion Todd Schaap is seven shots back in third place in the 26-player Championship Flight.

“Anything can happen out at Strawberry Creek,” said Chad Cantwell, who has a two-day total of 137. “I’ve played out there a dozen times or so. It’s a great course. I love the hard and fast conditions — links style. I’m looking forward to (today).”

Chad Cantwell, who trailed his brother by one shot going into the second round, birdied two of his first four holes. He also recorded back-to-back birdies to close out the front nine, including a chip-in on the ninth hole.

He also made a “really long 30-foot bender” on No. 12 for his first of three birdies on the back nine.

The best shot of the round came courtesy of his driver on his second shot on the par-5 14th when he hit out of the rough to the back side of the green. He went on to birdie the hole.

Cantwell played the six par-3 holes in 1-over, though.

“Three of my four bogeys were on par 3s, so I wasn’t hitting a lot of greens,” he said. “The course was playing pretty tough today. The pins were all pretty tucked. It was very soft fairways, so the ball wasn’t rolling at all. It was playing pretty long today.”

After taking the early lead with a first-round 68, Chris Cantwell fired a 73 (37-36) on Saturday for a 141. His round included three birdies.

Schaap shot a 74 (37-37), giving him a two-day total of 144. Thanks to shooting an even-par 71, Rick Elsen (146) will join Schaap and the Cantwell brothers in the final group, which tees off at 11:33 a.m.

“It’s too bad my dad (Cliff) is out of town this weekend,” Chad Cantwell said. “He won’t be able to watch us. It should be a lot of fun.”

Connor Reeves tied Chad Cantwell for low honors on the day with a 3-under 68 (36-32). He also had seven birdies and four bogeys. He played the back nine in 3-under with five birdies. His first-round score of 86 at Maplecrest puts him at 154 and most likely out of contention.

A Flight

First-round leader Kelly Muzzy extended his lead by one more stroke.

Muzzy shot an 81, giving him a two-day total of 156.

Jamie Karow (81-80) and Mike Konchan (82-79) are five shots back in a tie for second place at 161.

Robert Garren and Dan Mueller are both at 162, while Sam Hawkins and Dave Spizzirri are both at 163.

Spizzirri had the flight’s low round of the day with a 77 (40-37).

B Flight

Jeremy Reeves (90-86) and Gerry Sentieri (88-88) are tied for the lead at 176.

Jack Munnelly is one shot back at 177 (89-88).

After carding a 97 on Friday, John Hubbard rebounded with an 82 to move up to fourth place with a 179.

For complete results and today’s tee times, see the Scoreboard, page C6.