Northeast Amateur: Red Hot Smith in Lead

RUMFORD (June 19, 2008) -- Nathan Smith, a former USGA Mid-Amateur champion, continues to hold the lead after the second day of the 47th Northeast Amateur Invitational at Wannamoisett C.C. The tournament continues through Saturday. Smith, who shot a sizzling six-under 63 in the opening round, followed that up with a solid even-par round of 69 Thursday. Smith, who hails from Pittsburgh, Pa., began his round on the 10th hole and finished his opening nine holes in 1-under par after making an eagle on the 17th hole. On the front side, he made two bogeys and a birdie to finish at even par and stand at 6-under for the tournament. Smith has a one-stroke lead over two college stars, Rory Hie of Southern California and Robert Rohanna of Penn State. Hie sank four bidies and only one bogey in tieing for the lowest round of the day at 3-under 66. Rohanna followed up his opening-round 63 with a 70 to finish at 5-under. Brendan Gielow of Wake Forest also shot 66 and is two shots back at 4-under 134 (68-66). The other 66 on the day was shot by Morgan Hoffmann who'll enroll at Oklahoma State in the fall. There were 15 players who shot under par. Charlie Blanchard, the Wannamoisett club champion, is off to a fast start. He's shot two one-under rounds of 68 and sits only four shots back. Nineteen finished under par in the first round and 14 are in red numbers entering the third round. The tournament is free and open to the public.