Miller takes Tri-State Open lead; Superick makes cut with 76
NEW CASTLE – It was not a particularly nice day for golf Monday.
But you probably already knew that.
Monday was also the first round of the Tri-State Open at New Castle Country Club and the field of 88 was greeted by a chilly, sprinkly, sometimes windy morning with temperatures in the 40s.
“Before Sunday, we had a dry, fast golf course and it would have been interesting to see what happened today,” said NCCC professional Ned Weaver said. Unfortunately, some thunderstorms paid the area a visit on Sunday and things weren’t nearly as fast and firm.
The ball didn’t travel as far as normal, there wasn’t as much roll in the fairways and the greens that are normally speedy and devilish were just devilish.
Five plays recorded scores under par and three of those were amateurs.
Justin Miller is the leader after the first round after his 69. Brett Carman, the pro at Dogwood Hills, came in with a two-under 70, Weaver got hot on the back nine and shot 71, as did amateurs Tim Bowers and Ralph Litrenta.
Miller made five birdies on the difficult day, including three in a row from 13-15.
Carman also made three birdies in a row, 11-13, but had perhaps the most interesting day.
“I thought I had timed my trip up here right, but ran into some traffic and got here about seven minutes before my tee time,” Carman laughed. “I got my shoes off and, hit three putts and went to the first tee.”
So much for having to hit the range before playing.
Carman also gave credit to a short game lesson he got from Oakmont Director of Golf Bob Ford for his play.
“Bob gave me a short game lesson and I’m excited about where this might go,” Carman said. “I’m excited about competing again, feel good about what’s coming.
“This golf course is great, long as I’ve ever played it. I gutted it out for sure,” he said. “I was in competition last year here, so I’m just excited to have a chance.
Weaver, playing in a group with Treesdale’s Joe Boros and amateur Nathan Smith. The three of them managed to make no birdies through 13 holes.
But after a par at the 14, it all clicked in wildly. He eagled the 15 with a chip-in and birdied the 16th and 17th to 71.
“I played really good here on Saturday, but that was different,” he said. “The biggest thing today was I didn’t miss the fairway off the tee and that was a key. That rough is lush and wet.”
Bowers, who earlier this year won the West Penn Amateur Public Links Championship, made five birdies and four bogeys for his 71.
“I didn’t think it was all that hard,” Bowers said. “I honestly left some shots out there. Had I made some of those putts, I could have really posted a low number.”
The players were allowed to lift, clean and place their balls in the fairway because of the wetness of the course.
Smith, perhaps the hottest amateur in the nation in recent months, said he really didn’t get much going, making a pair of birdies and two bogeys. But he’s certainly in a good position, only three shots out of the lead.
Two players from the area competed Monday. Steve Superick put together a 40-36-76 round and made the cut with Brian Dunaway, the head pro at Willowbrook Country Club and graduate of Geibel High School, finished with an 83 and missed the cut.
Sixty-four players made the cut and with play in today’s final round with tee times starting at 8 a.m.