Smith Leads 67th Senior Amateur presented by Dunning After Day One
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Merv Smith of Burlington Country Club leads the 67th Senior Amateur Championship presented by Dunning Golf after 18 holes on Monday at New Jersey National Golf Club. Smith carded at 2-over par 74 to top the field of 127 golfers.
Smith, who started on the 10th hole, weathered an up-and-down front-nine with three birdies to make the turn at 1-over par and put himself in position to make a run.
“I made a bunch of birdies and I haven’t been making them this year. Today was a round where I had some birdies and those offset a lot of the bogeys that I made,” said Smith. “I just tried to stay in a good frame of mind even when it wasn’t going right for me. It was feast or famine but I’m really happy.”
Smith closed out his round with two more birdies and three bogeys to finish the first round at 2-over par, 74, good enough for the lead heading in to round two.
“I don’t think I’ve had the lead in any of the state championships before, this is something new for me, but I’m psyched for the challenge,” said Smith.
Following just behind Smith is Bill Burke of Galloway National Golf Club at three-over par 75. Burke rode three birdies on the afternoon to put himself in position with 18 holes to play. Three players; Jim Beadle, Harris Podvey and Christopher DeSana share a piece of third place at 4-over par, 76.
Forty-eight players have made the cut at 11-over par, 83 or better. Four of the five past champions in the field made the cut. The championship will conclude on Tuesday with tee times beginning at 8:00 a.m
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