OAKLAND, California (October 28, 2006) -- Martin Trainer's playing partners were cheering him on today at Metropolitan Golf Links, which is generally what happens among competitive players when they witness the kind of round the 15-year-old was having on Saturday.

Although Trainer's 12 foot birdie putt on No. 9 (his final hole) power-lipped out for 63, his round of 8-under-par 64 left his playing partners in awe of a nearly-perfect round.

"Martin was swinging like a tour player today," said playing partner Patrick Pernice, who should know - his brother Tom is among the top 30 players on the PGA Tour money list. "I was hoping he would tie the course record so I could give my friend Dong Yi [the course record holder at 63] a hard time."

Trainer credited recent experience playing with Champions Tour players John Mahaffey and Dick Mast at the First Tee Open, plus a swing change, (working with John McMullin at Palo Alto Golf Course) in helping him to a career best day.

"I'm trying to swing on plane, and it's starting to work for me," said Trainer, who advanced as far as the round-of-16 in this year's San Francisco City Championship. "I also learned a lot playing with the senior pros at the First Tee Open at Pebble Beach."

Trainer, who was paired with John Mahaffey in the relatively new Champions Tour event that pairs senior pros with juniors who advance through regional qualifying, said that Dick Mast took a lot of time teaching him the intricacies of the game during a practice round.

"Mr. Mast told me to keep it below the hole, and I did that well today," explained Trainer.

But you don't shoot 64 without the complete package, and Trainer may have showed his abilities best today at the par-5 17th hole, his 8th. He split the middle with a 300-plus yard drive, and followed it with a four iron that left him with a 12-footer, which he converted for eagle. He closed the nine at 32, and did the same on the front, forcing the rest of the field into chase-mode on Sunday. The closest pursuer is Andrew Bowdish of San Jose, who shot 4-under-par 68, and 2 strokes back is recent winning NCGA Cup Team member Arvo Voip, who posted 70.

In the net division, Tamara Holmes of Albany, a 12 handicapper who splits her golf time between Tilden Park and Metropolitan Golf Links, is in position to become the woman to win an amateurgolf.com event. Holmes shot a net 66 to lead a pack of three amateurgolf.com veterans who posted 67.

Tom Lyons leads the senior division after posting a 3-under-par 69. Lyons, a Pleasanton-based real estate agent, leads former Alameda Commuters Senior Champ Jay Guerin of Alameda by one.

First round results from the Metropolitan Amateur, played at the par-72 Metropolitan Golf Links: