Dzambo III leads after 1st round
BULLSKIN TWP. — One wonders just what score Pete Dzambo III might have carded Thursday in the opening round of the Fayette County Open if, by his own admission, he’d made a few putts.
Dzambo had a bogey-free round, finishing with a 5-under 66 for a 3-stroke lead over defending champion Jeremy Enslen and first-year player Cam Booth after the first round of the four-round championship.
Pleasant Valley Country Club, traditionally the site of the second round, was wet from the recent heavy rains, making the usually quick greens more receptive of approach shots and a bit slower.
Dzambo, playing in the final threesome of the day, had five birdies and 13 pars on his home course. As with most golfers when they finish a round, Dzambo felt he left a few shots on the course.
“I was hitting the ball good, but I wasn’t making any putts. I had two 2-putt birdies,” said Dzambo. “I made a good putt on No. 14 for a birdie. I was only in trouble on two holes (No. 7 and 12).”
Dzambo doesn’t plan any changes as the tournament moves to Duck Hollow Golf Club this morning.
“You just have to play your game. (Leading) changes absolutely nothing,” said Dzambo. “I like playing Duck Hollow.
“There’s a lot of golf to play.”
Enslen posted his score early, teeing off in the opening group that included Bernie Wydo and Dave Smithburger. Enslen had four birdies in the first seven holes, and had a fifth on the back nine.
“I could be 6-under,” Enslen said of a couple lost strokes. “Once I made birdie on No. 11 (a par-5), I became more conservative on putts.
“To finish the first day 2-under is good. The goal is still to win, to be there on Sunday with a chance to win.”
Booth is new to the area, but it didn’t seem to matter when he tied Enslen for the lead in the clubhouse a couple groups later.
“It was a disappointing round. I had a double bogey on No. 17,” said Booth. “But, I played solid. I think I hit 15, 16 greens in regulation.”
DIVOTS: The second round begins with Enslen, Wydo and Smithburger taking to No. 1 at Duck Hollow Golf Club today at 9 a.m. … The third round moves to Uniontown Country Club with the seniors opening their two-round tournament at 10 a.m. The first tee time for the Open championship will be around 11 a.m. … The final round Sunday is at Springdale Golf Course.