DEMARCO LEADS PACK
LaSalle golfer fires 64
Thomas DeMarco was the first player off the tee Tuesday and he teed off on the field in the opening round of the 95th Investors Group Ontario Men’s Amateur Golf Championship, which is being held at the Ambassador Golf Club.
The 20-year-old DeMarco, who is competing in the event for the first time, holds the lead after the opening round after firing a sizzling 7-under 64.
“I knew I’d have to play really well, but the goal going in was to win and I’m off to a good start, but I don’t want to get too far ahead,” said DeMarco. “There’s still a lot of golf to go.”
It was a hectic day for DeMarco, who after his round was also scheduled to take an online accounting exam for Northern Illinois University, where he is on scholarship.
“That went well, too,” said DeMarco said, who golfs out of Essex
But to prepare for the tournament, DeMarco was up early for his scheduled 7:30 a.m. tee time.
“I went for a run at 6 (a.m.) to wake up,” DeMarco said. “I knew I wouldn’t be awake if I just went to the course. It’s the first time I’ve done that and I think I’ll keep doing it.”
He was 6-under par through the first eight holes and finished his round with nine birdies to go with two bogeys.
“I was pretty excited, but every shot I just zoned it out and worried about what I was doing,” DeMarco said. “It seemed to work the whole round and I didn’t panic when I made a few bogeys.”
DeMarco holds a two-shot lead over Aurora’s Shyamal Nagindas, who sits at 5-under, and is three shots up on Michael Rutgers, who golfs out of Kingsville. Rutgers is in a pack of seven tied for third place at 4-under 67. That group also includes defending champion Maxwell Sear.
“That was good,” the 33-yearold Rutgers said. “A solid round. I hit a lot of greens and a lot of fairways.”
Rutgers had five birdies on the day and his lone bogey came on the par three 14th hole.
“I had a 25-footer and missed the four-footer coming back,” he said. “Shooting a solid round makes me feel better. It feels good and builds your confidence.
“I just wanted to keep making putts, make par on the fives and take advantage of the par 4s and I hope to do the same (Wednesday).”
It was also a solid start for the Beach Grove tandem of Curtis Hughes and Alexander Zappio, who each shot even-par 71.
“I’m happy with it,” the 22-year-old Zappio said. “I definitely could have been a few shots lower, but the first day you want to stay in it.”
Both are well positioned to make the cut to 60 after Wednesday’s second round and that’s a goal for Zappio, who has been unable to make the cut the past two years at this tournament.
“The goal this year was make the cut and give it a run,” Zappio said. “Right now, I don’t feel like I’m in a bad spot.
“I hit it pretty well and it’s good to come out with a good number and know that I left a few shots out there and hopefully, I can make some up (on Wednesday).”