Conn. Pub-Links: McCarthy leads by one
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (Oct. 1, 2012) -- At the halfway point of the 27th Connecticut Public Links Championship, Tom McCarthy of Twin Hills holds a one-stroke lead over Connecticut National’s Brian Bardier. McCarthy, the 2012 CSGA Player of the Year, fired a 3-under par 69 over the 6,704 yard, par 72, H. Smith Richardson Golf Course in Fairfield on Monday. McCarthy recorded three birdies, an eagle, and two bogies in grabbing the first round lead. On the 520 yard, par 5, 13th hole, McCarthy reached the front of the green with a drive and a five iron. He then buried a thirty-foot putt for eagle.
Bardier, who was paired with McCarthy, matched his front-nine score of 2-under par 34, but returned in 36 for total of 70. Bardier rebounded from a double-bogey 6 at the 11th hole with birdies at 15 and 18. The pair were the only golfers among ninety-one competitors to break par, as windy conditions challenged the field. Kevin Josephson (Stanley G.C.) and Chris Cote (Portland G.C.) are tied in third place after each shot 73.
“The greens out here are really good,” said Bardier, “and it was fun playing with Tom. We had nine birdies and an eagle between us, and I think we were kind of feeding off each other, hitting good shots and making a lot of putts.”
The shot of the day belonged to Joe Weber of Orange Hills who made a hole-in-one at the 155 yard 8th hole. Weber used an 8-iron in recording his second career ace.
“Wow, what a feeling,” said Weber, “It landed about 3 inches short of the hole and just hopped right in, and then we all went nuts.“ While Weber’s hole-in-one brought him back to even par for the day, his euphoria was short lived as he struggled home with an 83. The cut came at 78 with thirty and ties earning the right to compete in the final round. A total of thirty-two players survived and will tee it up starting at 8:30am on Tuesday.
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ABOUT THE Connecticut Public Links
36-hole stroke play championship with a cut to the
low
30 players and ties after the first round. Must hold
an
active USGA handicap at a CSGA member club not
exceeding 9.0.
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