Andrew Giuliani Leads After Two Rounds of "IKE"
Plainfield, N.J. - Andrew Giuliani of Van Cortlandt GC, and son of former New York City Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, leads by one stroke after two rounds of the MGA/Canon Ike Stroke Play Championship. After a rain soaked first round yesterday, which saw Michael Reardon card the only sub-par round of the day, Giuliani took advantage of some welcome drier weather and shot an even par 72 to go with his first round 75 for a two-round total 147, despite high temperatures and humidity.
“Yesterday it started raining really hard on 17,” expressed the former MGA Junior finalist and Williamson Cup Team member. “Today it rained early in the round, which made the greens soft, and once the weather cleared you could really go at some pins.”
One stroke off the lead is 2003 Met Amateur Champion Michael Stamberger of Plainfield, who posted rounds of 75-73 and is sure to use his local knowledge of Plainfield’s greens to make a run at the title. . First round leader Michael Reardon of Tuxedo, who carded a second round 79, and Tore Carlson of Bedford are both just two shots off the lead.
Two players particularly happy about the course conditions today were Ron Vanelli of Metuchen and Keith Hendrickson of Oyster Bay who both posted Hole in Ones in the morning round. Vanellli’s came on the 165 yard 15th hole and Hendricksen’s on the 179 yard 12th hole (Plainfield’s normal nines are reversed for the Championship.)
Giuliani will play with home course favorite Stamberger for the final round of the 54 hole championship, which is sponsored by Canon USA. “I think the course will play a bit harder this afternoon,’ said Giuliani. “I am just going to take it one stroke at a time.”
Live Scoring for the final round will be available on www.mgagolf.org.
Also at stake on Tuesday will be the Ike Team Championship which will be awarded to the two individuals representing the same club who have the lowest 54-hole combined total. For more information contact Tommy Dee or Gene Westmoreland of the MGA @ (914) 347-GOLF or visit the MGA website at mgagolf.org.
