ELMSFORD, N.Y. (September 2, 2009) – Mike Caporale, head professional at North Hills Country Club in Manhasset, NY, shot a 6-under par 64 to take the first-round lead at the 13th MGA Senior Open Championship presented by Canon at The Woodmere Club in Woodmere, N.Y. Caporale’s sizzling 64 included a back nine (Caporale’s front nine of the day) 29, and leads the field of 176 Met Area professionals and amateurs by 5 shots on the 6,316-yard, par-70, Robert Trent Jones layout. Dunwoodie head professional Tom Sutter finished with a one-under-par 69 and stands alone in second place after the first day. Sutter, who was in the morning wave of starting times, had five birdies on the round and shot 35 - 34 on the front and back nines, respectively.

The 54-year-old Caporale stood at even par through the second hole (his 12^th of the day), and drained a string of six birdie putts. Caporale talked about where the momentum started that propelled him to a near record round, “on the third hole, I felt real comfortable over the putt and ended up knocking it in from thirty feet. It was quite the out-of-body experience, to birdie six in a row to finish my round.” Caporale also attributes his success to having an in-depth knowledge of the course. “This course has always hosted big events in our section, including a great pro-member that I play in, so over the years I really got to know the golf course. Fortunately today, I didn’t make the mistakes that I have made out here in the past.”

As far as the perfect conditions that Caporale and the rest of the field experienced, Caporale states: “today’s conditions were great, the course was nice and firm, and obviously this was all conducive to my style of play,” he says with a laugh. As far as the final round, Caporale just plans to “come out here with a clear head.”

There are four players one stroke back of Sutter at even par. Included in this mix is 1994 Ike champion and amateur player Ed Gibstein of Engineers. Joining Gibstein at even par is two-time MGA Senior Open champion Darrell Kestner of Deepdale; last year’s champion Bobby Heins of Old Oaks; and Cameron Wood of Inwood. Last year’s low amateur for this event, Jim Graham, finished his opening round with a 72.

In regards to his first round, Sutter stated “the course played very nicely; the greens are in great shape. The speed was really good here, and it helps that I know the course from playing here several times in pro-member events.”

Eligible for his first MGA Senior Open this year, Gibstein was pleased with how he hung in their with the other veteran MGA tournament players. “I was looking forward to playing in this,” said Gibstein. “I obviously just became a senior, and so it’s exciting to me to have a different age status to compete in, other than mid-amateur. There are so many good players in all age ranks, and we’re fortunate to play a lot of good courses.”

Today’s cut came at 76, with a total of 52 players advancing to the final round on Thursday. The professionals will compete for the winner’s share of $6,000 from the $30,000 purse.