Bloomfield, CT---John Curley threw himself quite a birthday party during round one of the inaugural Wintonbury Hills Open. The freshly turned 33-year-old celebrated by firing a 5-under 65, breaking the previous competitive course record by three shots. Tele Wightman, fresh off of a runner-up finish at last week's event, carded a 4-under 66 and sits one shot back with three-time Player of the Year Geoff Sisk. Reigning Mass. Open champion Eric Egloff, former PGA Tour member Scott Ford and Brennan Webb stand tied for 4th after matching 67s. "The hair's getting a little whiter," joked Curley, who stood at 1-under through 11 before birdying four of his final six holes to record his lowest score of the season. Following a disappointing season on the Nationwide Tour last season, Curley racked his clubs for the next seven months before teeing it up in the first Tour event in June. Recent practice sessions have renewed his confidence. "I'm trusting my ability again," he said. "I felt guilty playing in [the first few] tournaments because I didn't feel like I was prepared." A past winner on the Cleveland Tour, Curley relishes the opportunity to contend for yet another victory. "That's what I really want," Curley said emphatically. "Being in the middle of the pack is not any fun for me. I want to see what happens when I'm two shots behind or two shots ahead in the heat of the moment." While Curley heated up late, Wightman began with a birdie barrage. Front nine birdies on 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 more than offset a bogey on the par-4 6th hole. He turned in 4-under 31 then carded a birdie and bogey on the inward nine. Dating back to last week's event in Sterling, he has now played his last four rounds in a collective 21-under. "If I continue to play like I am, I'll have a great chance [of winning]," said Wightman. In just three events, Wightman has two runner-up finishes and earnings of $13,666.66. He shares second place with Sisk, who has not won since last year's season ending Samoset Open. Thirty-six players carded rounds of par or better. The field of 103 will be trimmed to the low 38 and ties following the second round. The purse of $86,400 includes a winner's purse of $13,000. This week's event marks the Tour's first appearance in Connecticut. Golfweek recently rated Wintonbury Hills as the 23rd best new course in America and Connecticut's best public course for 2005.
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