Steven Delmar, Joe Lefavor, and George Shenas, the opening threesome in a Maryland State Golf Association qualifying round for its Amateur and Open Championships, wheeled around 6,633 yards of Eisenhower Golf Course in 3 hours, 15 minutes and were rewarded for their excellent pace of play, May 2.
Delmar, a professional from College Park, finished with a bogey-free round of 3-under-par 34-34–68 and the score stood up as the low round of the day. Lefavor, from the U.S. Naval Academy Golf Club, trying for both events, made both with a round of 73. Shenas, an amateur from Old South Country Club, trying only for the Open, missed by a stroke with a 75.
Eleven places were available for each event, including any ties. Fifteen competitors at 77 and better advanced to the Amateur Championship and fourteen aspirants at 74 and better advanced to the Open Championship.
Delmar was followed by Dirk Schultz, Head Pro at Beaver Creek CC, 69; Sean English, a teaching professional at Caves Valley GC, 70, and Joe Franz, Head Pro at the Elkridge Club, 70. The leading amateurs were Will Halamandaris, Glenn Dale GC, and David Nocar Jr., Chartwell CC, whose 72’s sent them forward in both events. Nocar highlighted his tour with an eagle-3 at the 513-yard seventh hole, hitting driver then hybrid to four feet.
Also advancing with a 72 was amateur Mike Chu, Norbeck CC, entered in only the Open. It marked the first time Chu had seen the course in person, but he felt comfortable with it after having done some homework. He used information off the Eisenhower website to get an idea of the layout and knowledge of where, perhaps, not to hit it. The plan worked well tee-to-green, with few mistakes, but late putting woes nearly sidetracked him. Birdies at 7-8-9 got him to 1-under-par 34, but bogeys at three of his final four holes led to a closing 2-over 38.
The Amateur Championship will be played June 9-12 at The Elkridge Club in Baltimore, and the Open, July 11-13 at Bulle Rock GC in Havre de Grace.
-Reported by John Stewart
