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| (Co-Leader Scott Hawley) |
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J. (October 3, 2006) – Charlie Meola of Mamaroneck, N.Y., Scott Hawley of Shrewsbury, Mass., and Rob Oppenheim of Andover, Mass., each shot 5-under par 67s on Tuesday to share the first-round lead at the New England Pro Golf Tour’s Greater Atlantic City Open.
Hawley birdied a career-best seven straight holes beginning at the fourth before the run was derailed with a double-bogey at the 16th and bogey at the 17th. Meola, one of the leading candidates for Tour Rookie of the Year honors, birdied six holes, including all three par-5s. Oppenheim, who won last week’s Pinehills Open, birdied six holes and two putted the 18th from 35 feet in virtual darkness.
Six players sit one shot off the lead at Twisted Dune Golf Club, including defending champion Andy Bare of Jacksonville, Fla. Six players, including Martin Catalioto of Ramsey, N.J., didn’t finish their first rounds due to darkness.
“It’s a nice feeling to get on a run like that,’’ said Hawley, who shot a 59 earlier this summer at Pleasant Valley Country Club. “It felt really good out there, so it’s hard to complain about 16 and 17.
The second annual 54-hole event runs through Thursday and features a number of former PGA Tour members and some of golf’s rising stars, including 12 players from New Jersey, competing for a $110,700 purse – second largest in Tour history.
Tour money leader Geoffrey Sisk of Marshfield, Mass., shot 72. Michael Harris of Shorewood, Wis., shot 68.
Charles Kromann of Pineville, N.J., led the dozen players from New Jersey entered in the field. The others were Jeff Simpson of Millville (73), Eugene Smith of Glen Ridge (74), Matthew Gaffney of Blackwood (74), John Cusick of Northfield (76), Craig Smith of Chatham (76), Steven Garcia of Willingboro (77), John Scott of Red Bank (77), Chris Cahill of Seaside Heights (80), Patrick Butkus of Belmar (85) and Anthony Sbarra of East Windsor (94).
Tuesday’s opening round continued a run for Oppenheim that includes four top-10s in his last five events, including a wire-to-wire four shot victory at the Pinehills Open, that have vaulted him to second on the Tour’s money list.
“I’m playing well right now,’’ said Oppenheim, who registered six birdies. “Hopefully, I can keep it going.’’
In a push for Rookie of the Year honors, Meola birdied six holes and got up-and-down for par from off the cart path at the seventh hole.
For Meola, it’s a push for the Tour’s Rookie of the Year award. The 31-year-old former golf club rep, who birdied six holes, has three top-five finishes this season and is 16th on the money list.
“I finally started making some putts,’’ said Meola, who has three top-five finishes and sits 16th on the money list. “I’ve struggled with the putter all summer, but I got it going today and hopefully I can continue it throughout the week.’’
Hawley is in search of his first New England Pro Golf Tour title. He has three top-four finishes this season, including a runner-up at the Sterling National Open.