MONTEREY, Calif. (December 6, 2014) -- At Del Monte Golf Course, Monterey's own Joey Russo shot a 3-under 69 to open the 30th Annual Christmas Classic. Russo's bogey-free effort was good for a one shot lead over St. Mary's College standout Hunter Rappleye of Elk Grove.
Five others stand three shots back, including defending champ Daniel Connolly of San Francisco, who won in dramatic fashion last year with a final round 64.
Russo's card was well rounded, he had one birdie on a par three (the tricky 4th, a 210 yarder), one birdie on a par four (the short 10th) and one birdie on a par 5 (No. 17).
In the seniors, Scott Anderson of Danville shot 73 for a one shot lead over three players including Jim Knoll of Sunnyvale, tournament founder Casey Boyns of Pacific Grove, and Dale Bouguennec of Pleasant Hill. With four others in the stacked senior field within two shots of the lead, Sunday's finish should be interesting.
The course held up well against a week of on-and-off rain with a final downpour Friday night that left many wondering if AmateurGolf.com's weather luck would hold out. (Of course it did, the day was 65 and sunny.)
The Net Division has Charles Balisha from Turlock Country Club with a whopping seven shot lead on the field. His net score of 3-under 69 was the only under par round in his division.
ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
The Christmas Classic is still referred to by many regular players as the "Casey's" because it was originally called the "Casey's Christmas Classic" when 2-time California Amateur champ Casey Boyns founded it 30 years ago. The venue has changed a few times over the years, but Del Monte has hosted more than 25 playings and has become a player favorite.