Play got underway this morning at the 8th Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior with an honorary tee shot hit by Mr. Charles Lasher, longtime Assistant Professional at Timberlin Golf Club and over 40 years experience in the PGA of America. After the first round, two players have a dominant lead in their respective divisions.
Monte Mullen of Farmington, Conn. shot a 1-under par round of 71 to take a 2 shot lead. The only player under par, Mullen made 4 birdies and 3 bogeys, including a closing birdie on the difficult 18th. Although he has a two shot lead going into the final round, many prominent players are within striking distance. Alex Diclemente, who shot a 1-over par round of 73, was this year's Connecticut Junior and Connecticut PGA Champion. Also in second is Samuel Pieniadz, who closed his round today with birdies on the 16th and 17th, and Nick Hedden of Waterford, Conn. Two-time defending champion Ryan Lee sits at 75 and 4 off the lead.
In the Girls Division, Katie Partridge of Bloomfield, Conn. is leading by 4 shots over a group of players at 82. She would start off her round +4 thru 7 before turning things around on the difficult back nine to close with 38. Erica Barnes, Alexandria Lee, and Andra Frappier all sit at 82, 10 over par for the day.
Tee times begin tomorrow at 7:00am, with the leaders going off last. The leaders in the Boys Division will tee off at 1:00pm and the leaders in the Girls Division will tee off at 12:15pm.