James Camaione up one at California Senior Amateur

COSTA MESA, Calif. — James Camaione finally earned that elusive first SCGA victory this summer, battling through a tough field to emerge victorious at the 2015 SCGA Senior Match Play Championship. Now, he's looking to turn that into a winning streak. Things are starting off well for Camaione at the 24th California Senior Amateur Championship, as the Upland resident leads the field after Round 1 of the three-day tournament. Camaione shot a 3-under-par 68, with four birdies and just one bogey, to take the 1 stroke lead into Tuesday action. Close behind, however, sits a fivesome of reputable competitors, including NCGA veteran Randy Haag and 2005 SCGA Mid-Amateur Champ John McClure. Also shooting 2-under 69s were Craig Calkins of Manhattan Beach, Mark Morgan of El Dorado Hills and Michael Turner of Sherman Oaks. A slew of past champions need to turn things around Tuesday, as defending champion John Pate of Santa Barbara currently sits T52 after an opening round 77 and three-time Champ Jeff Burda is in 33rd place after a Monday round of 75. 2013 Champ Jim Knoll is in the Top 10 and just four strokes off the lead. In the North/South Challenge Cup, a team competition (best three scores out of four) held between the SCGA and NCGA over the first two days of the championship, the SCGA grabbed a three shot lead, 216-219.. The SCGA is being represented by Michael Turner, Pate, 2015 SCGA Senior Amateur Champ Gary Vanier and two-time SCGA Senior Champ Burda. The NCGA is being represented by Dale Bouguennec, Casey Boyns, Terry Foreman and record five-time NCGA Senior Player of the Year Jim Knoll.