Seavey’s 66 ties Sterling competitive course record, Cowper, Sisk, Zelnik lurk 1 back

            Sterling, MA-Jeff Seavey shot a season low round on the strength of a seven birdie performance en route to a 5-under par 66 and a one shot lead following day one of the inaugural Sterling Open. Two-time Cleveland Player of the Year Geoff Sisk came in with a 4-under par 67 and stands tied for 2^nd with tour rookie Nick Cowper and veteran Noah Zelnik. Four players lie at 3-under par, led by Tour money leader Sean O’Hair.

            “It’s finally clicking,” said Seavey, who made the turn in 3-under par 33 then offset a bogey on the 15^th hole with birdies on 10, 11, 15 and 17.

            Geoff Sisk, meanwhile, carded his second consecutive 67 on the Cleveland Tour following his final round performance in last week’s Cranston Open. “I hit some really good golf shots,” said Sisk, who notched five birdies against just a lone bogey on the par 3, 11^th hole.

            “I’ve never played golf this far away from home,” said Cowper, originally from Australia and now a resident of Florida. Cowper recorded four birdies on the front nine to head to the back side in 3-under par 33. He then tallied birdies on 10, 13 and 15 to complete his lowest round of the season.

            “I’m going to thoroughly enjoy being in contention,” added the tour rookie, whose best finish coming into this event is a tie for 18^th.

            Following a missed cut in last week’s event, Zelnik rebounded beautifully with a six birdie, two bogey round of 67. “I had it going,” said Zelnik, who was 5-under par through 15 before stumbling home with bogies on 16 and 17.

            Twenty four of the 86 competitors lie at even par or better after day one. The field will be trimmed to the low 31 and ties following the second round. This week’s purse of $69,300 is the highest in Cleveland Golf Tour history, as is the winner’s check of $12,500.

            As part of their season long commitment to improved health awareness, the Cleveland Golf Tour would like to send their thanks and appreciation to Executive Director Deb Girard and the entire Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation for providing our players and staff with skin screenings and important information concerning damage from the sun and future prevention. 
            More information related to Melanoma may be found at www.massmelanoma.org.  Contributions may be sent to:  Mass Melanoma Foundation 66 Commonwealth Ave., Concord, MA 01742