Komline Holds First-Round Lead at MGA Mid-Amateur
WEST CALDWELL, N.J. (October 7, 2014) – The first round of the 8th MGA Mid-Amateur Championship is complete at Mountain Ridge Country Club and Brian Komline of Black Oak is leading after firing a round of 2-under 69. A total of 40 players advanced to the final round after shooting a score of 78 or better.
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Komline carded three birdies and just one bogey on the difficult par 3 fourth hole. The Donald Ross design flexed its muscle for today’s competitors, and cold and windy conditions in the morning made it even tougher. But the weather didn’t affect Komline, who shot the only under par round of the day.
“I love playing in the cold weather,” the two-time NJSGA Open Champion said. “I’d rather it be like this than 100 degrees. The ball doesn’t fly as far and you just got to be careful with your irons, other than that I really enjoy this weather.”
Maneuvering around these undulating greens was key today for Komline, who said keeping his ball under the hole all day led to a great round.
“I only had a couple putts from above the hole, that’s key when you’re playing Mountain Ridge,” he said. “You really have to be precise with your putting.”
A few players stand just a couple of shots back of Komline, including three-time NJSGA Senior Amateur Champion Al Small of Fairmount. Small, who is in search of his first top 10 in MGA Mid-Am history, carded a 1-over 72 with two birdies and three bogeys. Matching his 1-over 72 was Cory Crelan of MGA eClub – Westchester/Fairfield.
Rob Johnson of Osiris, Ryan Chin of Arcola, Jay Sessa of Cherry Valley, and 2011 Champion Niall Handley of Essex Fells are four shots back of the leader after 2-over 73s.
Defending Champion Michael Karger of Century is five shots behind after a 3-over 74. Coming back from five strokes down is no easy task, but it is something he is familiar with. He holds the record for the largest comeback in this event’s history after erasing a six shot deficit a last year to win.
Bryan Pendrick of Mill River, Chris O’Keefe of Bethpage State Park, and Don Enga of Cherry Valley also carded 3-over 74s.
Mountain Ridge members Jay Blumenfeld and Jeff Kopelman both made the cut with 4-over 75s. MGA President Jeff Holzschuh of Stanwich also advanced after shooting a 75.
The final round will begin Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. and there will be live hole-by-hole scoring for the majority of the groups. Follow all the action from the 8th MGA Mid-Amateur by visiting mgagolf.org and downloading the mobile app My MGA.
