ELMIRA, New York (July 18, 2012) -- Jamie Sindelar is right where he wants to be, holding a two-stroke lead heading into Thursday’s 36-hole final round in the 2012 New York State Amateur Championship. In a close second at 138 is defending champion Dominic Bozzelli, ready to capture his second title. Although Bozzelli has had a stellar year playing for Auburn University, hometown favorite Sindelar will look to use his local knowledge to capture his first state title.
“The home course advantage is huge here at Elmira,” Sindelar said during an interview on Monday. “Probably more so than at any other course I’ve played at since I started playing in the state amateur.” Sindelar leaned on this advantage today in order to post a two-under par round of 70, in scoring conditions made difficult by strong, swirling winds.
Sindelar started on the back nine this afternoon, the scene of his impressive six-under 31 the day before. The wind didn’t allow him to be as aggressive as he was in round one, but he still birdied holes 13, 16 and 17 to make the turn at two-under. Sindelar made the turn with a solid birdie on the first (his tenth), but made bogey on his next, only to follow it with another birdie on the fourth.
The only other blemish on Sindelar’s card was a bogey on the par-five fifth (his 14th). The hole was located in the middle of the green, eight paces from the left side, and wreaked havoc on players unfamiliar with the quickness of Elmira’s greens.
“You’ve got to be sharp, but I love it” Sindelar said of the fast greens at Elmira. “It just means you have to be sharp in the fairway too.”
Bozzelli, who played in the morning, also started his round on the back nine. After a par on the reachable par-five tenth, Bozzelli went on a tear. He birdied the 11th, 13th and 15th, eagled the 16th, and lipped out a makeable birdie putt on the 18th to make the turn in 32. He would then birdie the first (his tenth).
Heading into the most difficult stretch of the course, Bozzelli looked like a man on a mission. He made par on his next two holes, but ran into trouble on the short 132 yard par-three fourth. Making a double bogey, Bozzelli remarked after his round that he gave at least two strokes back to the field through this mistake. Although visibly upset, he was able to regroup and par his way into the clubhouse to post a four-under 68.
Rounding out the final threesome is Mike Dalton, who recently received an exemption into the NYS Amateur by winning the Triple Cities Golf Association’s Amateur Championship.
Dalton had the round of the day sitting six-under par on the seventh tee (his 16th hole). He played his tee shot over the green on the 172 yard par-three and failed to get up-and-down for par. On the next, a downhill par-four of 412 yards, Dalton played his approach to the right side of the green and with the flag on the left side he three-putted. Then, with a par on the ninth, Dalton posted a 68 to tie Bozzelli for the low round of the day.
Round three will begin at 7:30am at Elmira Country Club with play starting of the first and tenth tees, with the round four to follow after a brief break for lunch.
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ABOUT THE New York State Amateur
This championship is a three-day 72-hole stroke
play
competition. The field will be cut after 36 holes to
the low 40
players and ties. Entries will be limited to male
amateur golfers
who
enjoy membership privileges at Clubs belonging
to
the New York State Golf Association, or are
NYSGA Associate Members.
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