Flawless Darin Goldstein leads Gasparilla Invitational

February 22, 2018 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

First round leader Darin Goldstein <br>(MGA Photo)

A bogey-free 5-under 65 has Darin Goldstein on top by one shot over two players at Palma Ceia G&CC

TAMPA, FL (February 22, 2017) - A flawless 5-under 65 has propelled Darin Goldstein to the lead after day one of the Gasparilla Invitational hosted by Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club.

The native of New York, NY began his round with four consecutive pars before jump starting his round with the first of his five birdie on No. 5. Once that first birdie fell there was little that could slow down Goldstein who birdied Nos. 7, 10, 12 and 16 as well.

Goldstein is coming off a solid 2017 season that saw him win his first Metropolitan Golf Association title, the MGA Mid-Amateur at Bayonne Golf Club. He also reached the quarterfinals at the Walter J. Travis Invitational and qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur for the third straight year.

Behind Goldstein are Phil Caravia (St. Louis, MO) and Derek Meinhart (Mattoon, IL) in second place at 4-under while Ben Snow and 2017 AmateurGolf.com Senior Player of the Year Doug Hanzel (Savannah, GA) are sharing fourth at 2-under.

Reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Matt Parziale (Brockton, MA) shot a 1-under 69 and site in 6th place, four shots behind Goldstein.

Two-time defending champion Nick Mullhaupt (Indian Wells, CA) will have some work to do in order to make up ground in the final two rounds. Mullhaupt will begin the second round six shots off the lead following a 1-over 71 that leaves him in a tie for 16th.

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The Gasparilla is unique in that the Senior competitors play in the Championship division, from the same tees as all of the other players. Hanzel's 68 puts him two shots ahead of the defending senior champion Bob Royak (Tampa, FL) and Don Whittemore (Temple Terrace, FL), both of whom shot even par in round one.

Results: Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Marc Dull	Lakeland, FL	300	69-68-66=203
2	Mike Finster	St. Petersburg, FL	200	70-66-69=205
3	Darin Goldstein	New York, NY	100	65-71-70=206
4	Joe Alfieri	Lutz, FL	100	70-67-70=207
5	Derek Busby	Ruston, LA	100	73-64-72=209

View full results for Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am

About the Gasparilla Invitational Mid-Am

Flawless Darin Goldstein leads Gasparilla Invitational

54-hole individual stroke play championship with a cut after 36 holes to the low 60 and ties. Good mix of Florida players and national competitors looking for an early season tune up. Played on a traditional, tree lined golf course that isn't very lo...