Recent St. Mary's University graduate Mikey Burkland fired 3-under 69 to take the first-round lead at the AmateurGolf.com Christmas Classic, presented by Callaway Golf.
Burkland, who started off on the back nine, made a game plan to conquer the rain by playing steady, and when he reeled off seven-straight pars, he knew it was working.
"I knew that everybody else was going to be facing the same conditions," said Burkland. "So I stayed patient and focused on making pars."
He turned up the heat a bit with birdies on Nos. 17 and 18, turning in 2-under 34 before suffering his lone bogey of the day on No. 2. With the rain increasing in intensity, Burkland again made a run of pars with five more and birdied Nos. 8 and 9 to shoot 3-under 69.
Giving chase are Mason Benbrook of Carmichael (2-under 70) and four players who shot 1-under 71 -- Nathan Jetton (Bandon, OR); Michael Carrillo (Chualar); Daren Johnson (Covina) and Cameron Keith of Alamo.
There were ten championship flight players at par or better, which speaks volumes about the quality of the field that made their way to Monterey to play the toughest 6300-yard course you'll run up against.
Playing the same tees as the younger players, Jeff Weiss of Roseville posted an impressive 1-under 71 to pace the Senior Division. Steve Schroeder of Monterey is a stroke back at even par 72, while Andy Gabelman of Carmel and Casey Boyns of Monterey are tied at 75. Boyns, it should be noted, is the tournament's founder, which many still refer to as the "Caseys."
Sylvia Chu of San Mateo posted 1-over 73 to lead the Net Division over Tom Natividad of Walnut Creek, who posted 75.
Tomorrow's final round will tee off at 8:00 am.
In Monterey, Mikey Burkland takes first round lead at AG Christmas Classic
The recent St. Mary's University grad shot 3-under 69 on a rainy day while Steve Schroeder posted even-par 72 to lead Seniors