Heins' 66 Gives Him the Lead After Round One of the 7th MGA/Canon Senior Open Championship
WAYNE, N.J.-Fifty-two year old Bobby Heins of Old Oaks fired an opening round five-under par 66 (34-32) to take a one-shot lead into tomorrow's final round of the 7th MGA/Canon Senior Open Championship at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, NJ. Heins, the 2001 and 2002 Met PGA Senior Player of the Year, began his round on Preakness Hills’ converted par-four 1st with his only bogey for the day. The two-time Met Open champion came back with six birdies on the round.
Heins will be challenged by a strong contingent of amateurs and professionals including Deepdale’s head professional Darrell Kestner, who eagled the 17th hole on the way to his four-under-par 67 (34 – 33). The three-time Met Open champion and former National Club Pro Championship winner, who turned fifty earlier this year, made his debut in the MGA/Canon Senior Open with a bogeyless opening round. Kestner and Heins will be paired together in tomorrow’s final round. Robert Housen, of Manasquan River, the first round’s low-amateur, was the only other player to turn in a sub-par round with his opening round 70 (36 – 34).
Also expected to contend tomorrow will be Doug Steffen of Baltusrol (39-32=71); Mike Stubblefield of Elmwood (35-36=71); Peter Busch of Shackamaxon (35-36=71); Rick Vershure of Quaker Ridge (36-36=72); Walter Baker of Willow Brook (36 – 36 = 72); and amateur Peter Zurkow of Quaker Ridge (38-34=72).
The 176-man field was cut to the low 40 scores, with a total of 40 golfers who shot 76 or better to advance to tomorrow's 18-hole final and will compete for a $25,000 purse with $5,000 going to the winner.
A complete list of today's results is attached. For more information visit the MGA website @ www.mgagolf.org, which will feature real time scoring for tomorrow's final round, or contact Scott Peper of the MGA at (914) 438-1895.
