WEST ORANGE, N.J. (September 27, 2011) - Niall Handley of Essex Fells Country Club got off to a strong start in the first round of the 5th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship at Essex County Country Club in West Orange, N.J. The championship is an invitational consisting of the best 35-and-older players from across the Met Area, and Handley has a strong record in the event, with a runner-up and T-9 finish the last two years.

Handley, who won the Bergen County Amateur earlier in September, shot a 3-under-par 68 to hold a three-shot lead midway through the first round of the 36-hole championship. Handley finished tied for ninth in this event last year, and was paired this morning with two-time defending champion Dennis Lynch of Nassau Players Club, who finished with a 3-over 74.

"Today went very well," Handley, 39, said after the round. "I hit the ball really solid and hit a lot of fairways. I think I only missed two greens and overall I'm very happy. The course is very firm and in great condition. If you're putting well and standing over 20 to 30-footers, you feel you can make it."

It also didn't hurt playing with someone he feels comfortable with on the golf course who has also shown he has what it takes to win this championship. "I played with Dennis last year in the final round, he's a great guy and we get along really well out there. It's very enjoyable playing with Dennis."

Handley opened his day with two birdies right out of the gate, and rattled off four consecutive pars before carding two more birdies on the 7th and 8th holes, making the turn in 4-under 32. He went on to birdie the 12th hole after nearly holing out for eagle on the 421-yard par 4, and tapped in for birdie to move him to 5-under for the championship. His only setbacks on the day came on the 14th and 16th holes where he recorded bogeys, but is sitting on a three-shot lead ahead of Gregg Angelillo of Baltusrol.

Angelillo, 41, got off to a solid start as well as he made the turn in 33, and finished with an even-par 71. As the wind picks up for the afternoon group of competitors, course conditions are sure to get a little more difficult as the top 40 players and ties advance to the second day.

Other top morning-round scores include 72’s by Justin Lomenzo of Great Rock and 2010 MGA Mixed Pinehurst champion Michael Karger of Century; and Ray Floyd Jr. of Deepdale joined Lynch with a 74.

Notable players playing this afternoon include 2003 Met Amateur champion and 2011 U.S. Mid-Amateur quarterfinalist Mike Stamberger of Spring Lake;  current MGA Vice President Jeffrey Holzschuh of Stanwich; 1996 Ike chamion Ken Bakst of Friar's Head; and 2010 MGA/MetLife Public Links winner Brian Komline of Black Oak.

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