LIZAK LEADS THE SENIOR AMATEUR
LOCUST VALLEY, N.Y. (May 23, 2007) – Don Lizak of Southampton carded an even-par 71 and holds a two-shot lead after the first round of the 80th MGA Senior Amateur Championship at the Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, N.Y.
Reigning NJSGA Player of the Year Jay Blumenfeld of Mountain Ridge,Robert Van Norden of Plandome and 2004 Senior Amateur champion Doug Vergith of St. George’s are all tied for second after rounds of two-over-par 73. Two players, Kerry Mucci of Montclair and Bill Henry of Forsgate, are tied for fifth after rounds of 75.
During a chilly, windswept day at Piping Rock, birdies were hard to come by and any score in the 70s was considered an accomplishment. The golf course played particularly difficult in the afternoon as players were forced to contend with blustery conditions. The cut was at 6-over-par 78, reducing the field from 188 to the low 20 scores and ties. Despite the tough conditions, the 6,794-yard C.B. Macdonald/Seth Raynor layout drew consistent raves from the field for its fairness and conditioning.
Other notable finishes include defending champion Shawn McLoughlin of Ridgewood, Conn., with a 76, 1981 MGA Player of the Year Peter Van Ingen of Deepdale with a 77 and 2006 NJSGA Mid-Amateur champion Allan Smallof Fairmount with a 78.
The second round of the MGA Senior Amateur begins on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., with the leaders teeing off at 11:10 a.m.
