Daniel Connolly leads with stellar 64 at NCGA Valley Am

August 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

Daniel Connolly leads with stellar 64 at NCGA Valley Am

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...