LUDLOW, Vermont – Two talented and cagey New England veterans are co-leaders after 18-holes in the New England PGA Senior Championship.
Rick Karbowski, of Auburn Driving Range, and Kirk Hanefeld, of Salem CC, blistered the 6,586-yard, par 70 Okemo Valley Country Club in Ludlow, Vermont shot with scores pf 5-under par, 65 on July 30. Tom Tobey, of Sandwich Hollows GC posted a 4-under 66 and will round out the threesome in the final group July 31 in the Championship round.
The top of the leaderboard in Ludlow is a tight with 18 players within six shots of the lead following the opening round of play. Karbowski was first to go low with his five-under-par performance. He made a birdies on No. 2 and No. 6 and made eagle 3 on the par 5 seventh. Even with his only bogey of the day on No. 9, he was able to keep his streak of great play going, adding two birdies on the back.
“The course is in fantastic shape, especially given how much it’s rained in the last few days,” said Karbowski who holds multiple championship titles from 30 years of competition. “I really hit the ball well today and was able to recover after I hit a terrible shot on the ninth hole but saved my round with a 7 foot bogey putt. Looking forward to the final 18 holes.”
Hanefeld had an equally successful day. Starting with the second hole, he made birdies on every other hole, until he too had a slip on No. 9 with bogey. Making the turn at 3-under, he was really looking to build a strong lead heading into the final round. On the back, Hanefeld had another hiccup on No. 14, but made three consecutive birdies on the way back to the clubhouse on 16, 17, and 18 to finish at five under.
Tobey will complete the championship grouping on Tuesday after shooting a four-under-par 66. He is looking to win his first ever Senior Championship and will have a great opportunity to do so because of his great first round. Although Chip Johnson, of Hatherly CC is not in the final group, he is certainly in striking distance with his bogey-free two-under-par performance.
The group of five players are tied at 1-under include Jeff Seavey, David Lane, David Dionne, Christopher Hulme and David Grygiel.
The final round is shaping up to be a good old-fashion shootout and you can follow all the action live at www.nepga.com.
2018 NEPGA Senior Championship: Round 1
Okemo Valley Golf Club
Ludlow, Vermont
Par 35-35-70
T1 Rick Karbowski, Auburn Driving Range: 32-33–65 -5
T1 Kirk Hanefeld, Salem CC: 32-33–65 -5
3 Thomas Tobey, Sandwich Hollows GC: 33-33–66 -4
4 Chip Johnson, Hatherly CC: 33-35–68 -2
T5 Jeff Seavey, Samoset Resort: 35-34–69 -1
T5 David Lane, Hopkinton CC: 33-36–69 -1
T5 David Dionne, Beverly Golf & Tennis Club: 31-38–69 -1
T5 Christopher Hulme, Sterling National GC: 34-35–69 -1
T5 David Grygiel, Tee N’ Tee Golfland: 33-36–69 -1
T10 Rick Durocher, Cyprian Keyes GC: 34-36–70 E
T10 Greg Farland, Marlborough CC: 35-35–70 E
T10 John Paesani, Bay Club at Mattapoisett: 33-37–70 E
T10 Robert Tramonti, Triggs Memorial GC: 38-32–70 E
T10 Dan Gillis, Nabnasset Lake CC: 34-36–70 E
T10 Bill Andrews, Portsmouth CC: 34-36–70 E
T10 Jim Sheerin, Abenaqui CC: 36-34–70 E
T17 George Goich, Black Swan CC: 36-35–71 +1
T17 Paul Parajeckas, Pleasant Valley CC: 36-35–71 +1
T17 Jon Ellis, Rochester CC: 32-39–71 +1
T17 Rusty Gunnarson, Rochester GC: 32-39–71 +1
T21 Al Vallante, Harbor Lights G&CC:37-35–72 +2
T21 Frank Dully, Kernwood CC: 36-36–72 +2
T21 Daniel Wilkins, Laconia CC: 35-37–72 +2
T21 Bob Giusti, The Back Nine Club: 36-36–72 +2
T21 Paul Politano, Ralph Myhre GC: 37-35–72 +2
T21 Webb Heintzelman, Turner Hill Golf & Racquet Club: 39-33–72 +2
T27 Allan Menne, Mink Meadows GC: 37-36–73 +3
T27 Dave Tiedemann, Shelter Harbor GC: 37-36–73 +3
T27 John Hickson, Bath CC: 37-36–73 +3
T27 Michael Baker, Walpole CC: 35-38–73 +3
T27 Joe Potty, Cohasset GC: 38-35–73 +3
T27 John Fields, Belmont CC: 37-36–73 +3
T33 David Johnson , Wachusett CC: 36-38–74 +4
T33 Tim Bishop, Tatnuck: 33-41–74 +4
T35 Tom Cavicchi, Harmon GC: 39-36–75 +5
T35 John Rainone, North Kingstown GC: 38-37–75 +5
T35 Todd Scarafoni, Bass Rocks GC: 38-37–75 +5
T35 Shane Drury, Swansea CC: 38-37–75 +5
T35 John Simmons, Cranston CC: 39-36–75 +5
T40 Jim Fairbanks, Nonesuch River GC: 36-40–76 +6
T40 Gary Dorsi, Green Valley CC: 38-38–76 +6
T42 Thomas Rooney, LeBaron Hills CC: 40-37–77 +7
T42 Ed Kirby, Carnegie Abbey Club: 40-37–77 +7
T42 Richie Hasenfus, Needham GC: 39-38–77 +7
T42 Peter Matthews, Western View GC: 40-37–77 +7
T42 John O’Connor, Far Corner GC: 39-38–77 +7
T47 Vince Molesky, Hidden Creek CC: 38-40–78 +8
T47 Gregory Nelson, Rutland CC: 38-40–78 +8
T47 Mike Slayton, Saint Johnsbury GC: 41-37–78 +8
50 Terry Felty, Big Sticks Golf Academy: 38-41–79 +9
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