Connecticut Senior Amateur: Bob Jones takes the first round lead at his home course

Almost exactly 12 hours before his opening round tee time in the first round of the 78th Connecticut Senior Amateur, Bob Jones was landing on a return flight from Denver following a conference.

Just over two hours later, Jones, the North American Regional Treaty Manager for General Reinsurance Corp, finally arrived home.

However, despite the late arrival time and the lack of sleep, an unfazed Jones fired an opening round 2-under 69 on his home course, and he will carry a three-shot lead into the final round of the 78th Connecticut Senior Amateur.

On a picture-perfect early October day at Silver Spring Country Club, Jones got off to a quick start with a birdie on the opening par-4, and then following a good par on the par-4 second hole he added a second birdie on No. 4 to move to 2-under swiftly. A dropped shot on the par-4 seventh saw Jones make the turn in 1-under 34.

"I was just very comfortable all day," said Jones, a winner of multiple Silver Spring CC Club Championships. "I felt at ease the whole round, and I hit 15 greens which made it a whole lot easier to come up with that score."

On the back nine, Jones continued his strong play with additional birdies on Nos. 11 and 17 to close out a four-birdie and two-bogey day.

"[Knowing the course] makes a big difference," said Jones, who has been a member at Silver Spring CC for 14 years. "The speed of the greens, I know some people struggle with them, but we are used to playing at these sorts of speeds, and there are some nuances to playing the course. Just knowing where to put the ball when approaching greens."

Jones will be chased in the final round by a number of past champions, including 2017 champion Patrick McGuiness, who is part of a group of three tied for second a 1-over. The group also includes Ken Parisi and Bob Murphy.

One shot further back in a tie for fifth at 2-over are defending champion and four-time winner Dave Szewczul, two-time reigning Dick Siderowf Player of the Year Dave Jones and Tom Yellin.

"All I can do [tomorrow] is play my game," stated Jones. "Especially in stroke play it is all about me trying to hit my shots and play my game and hope that I continue to strike the ball and putt the ball like I did today."