Daniel Connolly leads with stellar 64 at NCGA Valley Am

8/7/2017 | by Northern California Golf Association

Daniel Connolly would like to continue his NCGA run <br> [photo courtesy of NCGA]

SMU golfer and recent NCGA Stroke Play champ Daniel Connolly shoots 8-under to begin his campaign at Modesto's Del Rio CC

MODESTO, Calif. (Aug. 7, 2017) -- San Francisco resident Daniel Connolly is looking to make it two in a row. Fresh off his first NCGA victory at July’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship, Connolly grabbed the first round at this week’s annual NCGA Valley Amateur, posting a sizzling 8-under 64 Monday at par-72 Del Rio Country Club in Modesto. The 64 is only two shots off the all-time NCGA scoring record of 10-under 62, set by Trevor Clayton during the 2014 NCGA Valley Amateur at The Reserve at Spanos Park. A sophomore at Southern Methodist University, Connolly was on pace for a 62. Starting on the back-nine, he opened with a 5-under 31 that featured an eagle on the par-5 15th, four birdies and a bogey. After making the turn, he toured Del Rio’s front-nine at 3 under, bogey free. Also starting hot was Green Valley CC member Jason Anthony. The leader in the NCGA Player of the Year points standings, Anthony posted a solid 67 that featured seven birdies and two bogeys, leaving him just three behind Connolly. Poplar Creek GC member Christian Banke and E-Club East Bay member Devin Hua are both tied for third at 68. Lurking just five shots behind Connolly is Monterey’s Nick Moore, who has won the event a record three times. Moore, the NCGA’s Player of the Year in 2015, is the two-time defending champion and has won the Valley Am in three of the last four years. The 36-hole championship scoring record is 133, co-held by Clayton and 2009 winner Steven Chung.

Results: NCGA Valley Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Jason Anthony	Fairfield, CA	200	67-67=134
2	Daniel Connolly	San Francisco, CA	140	64-73=137
3	Matt Robinson	Modesto, CA	80	71-68=139
4	Devin Hua	, Guam	80	68-72=140
T5	Berk Harvey	San Jose, CA	80	73-68=141

View full results for NCGA Valley Amateur

About the NCGA Valley Amateur

Played for the first time in 2004 as a replacement for the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valley championships, the NCGA Valley Amateur has become a staple in the tournament season. The 36- hole stroke play event is played at a venue in the San Joaquin o...

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