Steckowych leads New England Am

FALMOUTH, Maine (July 17, 2012) -- Craig Steckowych of Portsmouth (NH) Country Club is the first-round leader at the 83rd New England Amateur Championship. At Falmouth Country Club, Steckowych fired a 6-under 65 and leads by one shot over 2010 champion Brian Higgins of Franklin (MA) Country Club. After going bogey and birdie-free through the first six holes, Steckowych birdied the next four, and six of the next seven holes before a double bogey on the 15th. Two more quick birdies put him back in the lead, wondering what might have been. Higgins bogeyed the first hole but steady throughout the remainder of the front nine. Five birdies on the back put former winner just one shot back. Herbie Aikens, who plays out of the Pinehills (MA) and Christopher Swift of Great River (CT) Golf Club are tied for third place.