Wingerd leads Middle Atlantic Am, teenage past champ lurks

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Oct. 4, 2018) – William Wingerd has a slim lead after one round of the Middle Atlantic Championship thanks to an opening 4-under 68 at Lakewood Country Club.

It was a gloomy day in Rockville – and play was nearly stopped early until a brief break in the clouds provided enough light to finish the first round – but Wingerd didn’t let that bother him. He birdied both par 3s on the front side, and had three more birdies on the back before his only bogey at the par-4 18th.

Wingerd leads Frank Alafoginis, who won this event in 2016, by one shot. The Arlington, Va., resident had a few more bogeys on his card – three, to be exact – but still managed to keep pace with Wingerd. Alafoginis made the third round of match play at last week’s U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Three players are tied for third at 2-under 70, including Carey Bina, Gordan Brixi and Michael Brennan, who won this event last year. Brennan is just 16 years old, and last year became the youngest-ever winner of this championship.

Tommy Morrison, a 14-year-old from Pinehurst, N.C., is one of three players who posted 1-under 71 on Thursday. Ryan Muthiora and Brian Simpson also brought in that number.