PITTSBURGH, PA (September 18, 2017) - With rounds of 1-under 69 Nathan Smith, Kevin Fajt and Jimmy Ellis all share the first round lead at the Pennsylvania Mid-Amateur. The trio will play together tomorrow and carry a narrow one-stroke lead into the final round at Fox Chapel Golf Club.
Smith, a five-time USGA champion, reached the top of the leaderboard with a three birdie, two bogey first round. The birdies for Smith, a native of Pittsburgh, came on Nos. 11, 12 and 15.
Kevin Fajt earned his share of the lead with a bit more of a colorful scorecard as he birdied five-times but also bogeyed on four occasions. Fajt's best stretch of golf came on Nos. 7-13 when he birdied four-times while only dropping a single shot.
The final member of the lead group is Jimmy Ellis who had the most interesting day of the pace setting group. During the first round Ellis carded seven birdies but he undid most of his work with a double-bogey and four bogeys. Ellis bookmarked his round with birds on the opening and closing holes.
Aritle Fink Jr., Brian DePaul and Adam Hofmann are all tied for second at even-par while four others are sharing seventh at 1-over. Included in that group is Sean Knapp who in the last two weeks has won the U.S. Senior Amateur and Sunnehanna Senior Amateur titles.
Overall 16 players will begin the final round 3-over or better and within four of the final day lead.
Defending champion David Brown is 2-over and tied for 11th.
Nathan Smith among First Round Penn. Mid-Am Leaders
Sean Knapp is among the 16 players within four shots of the lead heading into the final round at Fox Chapel Golf Club
