EAST HADDAM, Connecticut – With an afternoon threat of thunderstorms, this would be the third consecutive New England Senior Amateur Championship effected by rain. Making it through the full field without rain during the first day, there is a collection of low scores at the top of the leaderboard.
With a smooth finish from their morning rounds Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI) and David Marshall (Quinnatisset CC, CT) tied for the initial lead at 2-under.
With a later start in the day, Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA) made his way to the top of the leaderboard, with a 2-stroke lead over Parziale and Marshall. With a finish at 4-under, Smith is not stranger to the top of the leaderboard. Smith is a previous Massachusetts Senior Amateur Champion and Player of the Year.
Keith Smith had his ups and downs during the day, starting with a bogey-free first-9. Starting on hole 3, his 12th, Smith went bogey-bogey and took himself out of the lead. With an eagle on the par-4 6th, his 15th, it put him back in a position to have the solo lead after day 1.
“I hit the ball solidly with a couple wayward swings, but avoided big damage. I got up-and-down numerous times to keep the round going, and the 88 yard hole-out for 2 really helped the score. The course will punish poor shots and the greens are challenging, but it gives you opportunity as well. I’ve struggled this year with consistency so I’ll have to play well again tomorrow” said Smith.
Dean Parziale is no stranger to the top of the leaderboard. Winning back-to-back Rhode Island Senior Four-Ball Championships, the Senior Division of a Rhode Island Mid-Amateur, and the Senior Division of a Rhode Island Stroke Play Championship, however, this is his first chance at a New England Senior Amateur title.
David Marshall is turning heads to the top of the leaderboard during his debut in the New England Senior Amateur. His low profile in the amateur circle will keep things interesting going into a second round and a chance to stay on top.
With more Massachusetts representation among the top five, Ed Garbacik (Westover CC, MA) and Todd Ezold (Twin Hills CC, MA) are tied for 4th at 1-under, 70 with Randy Millen (The Aquidneck Club, RI).
After completing the first round of stroke play, the Super-Senior Championship is being led by Keith Smith, trailed by Ed Garbacik.
1- Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA); -4, 67
T2- Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI); -2, 69
T2- David Marshall (Quinnatissett CC, CT); -2, 69
T4- Ed Garbacik (Westover CC, MA); -1, 70
T4- Todd Ezold (Twin Hills, MA); -1, 70
T4- Randy Millen (The Aquidneck Club, RI); -1, 70
Super-Senior
1- Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA); -4, 67
T2- Ed Garbacik (Westover CC, MA); -1, 70
T2- Randy Millen (The Aquidneck Club, RI); -1, 70
T4- Kim Perry (Links @ Land Farm, VT); E, 72
T4- Michael Arter (Segregansett CC, MA); E, 72
Massachusetts – 1 (-4); Keith Smith (Franklin CC, MA)
Rhode Island – T2 (-2); Dean Parziale (Agawam Hunt, RI)
Connecticut – T2 (-2); David Marshall (Quinnatissett CC, CT)
Vermont – T7 (E); Kim Perry (Links @ Land Farm, VT
New Hampshire – T11 (+1); John Flynn (Cochecho CC, NH)
Maine – T18 (+2); Keith Patterson (Biddeford-Saco CC, ME)
Once voted a top public course for the region, Fox Hopyard is Connecticut’s newest private golf club as they make a transition to dedicate themselves to their members. Sitting on 530 acres of rolling hills. With various natural conditions on the course, they seamlessly create a championship level golf course just 30 minutes off the coast of Connecticut.
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