Shulick, Arnold share lead
STAMFORD — It was a challenging first round Saturday at the 2018 Stamford Amateur Golf Championship.
While Mother Nature was nice enough to release no rain under leaden skies, the field of 83 golfers in nine divisions worked hard on the 5,899-yard, par-72 Sterling Farms Golf Course.
When the day concluded, Brett Shulick and Garrett Arnold were co-leaders at 78 in the Men’s Championship Flight. The second and final round is Sunday at E. Gaynor Brennan Golf Course.
“I’ve been striking the ball well. My putting was the difference,” said Shulick, who finished fifth last year. “I had a lot of 6- to 7-footers coming back. I had key par-saving putts on No. 9 and No. 17.”
Lurking just two shots back at 80 are Jim Romaniello, Declan Mccabe and Craig D’Andrea.
Thanks to the work of Sterling Farms course superintendent Michael Golden, the Sterling Farms greens (double rolled) were very fast, but putts rolled true. The pin placements were tough as thoughful players hit approach shots to conservative areas. Putts from below the holes were rewarded the best.
The greens at E. Gaynor Brennan Sunday will likely have putts run a bit slower.
In the Seniors Division, Robert Whetsell (82) is five shots ahead of Gary Lazarus and Rob Tyska (87).
“The firm greens were a test. Thank heaven I made some putts,” Whetsell said. “The wind was a factor early. I’m looking forward
to Sunday.”
In the Women’s Championship Division, 2017 champion Carol Frattaroli (92) has a one-stroke edge on Sydney Bardsley (93). Sharon Clark (73) is the net division leader.
“The course was in beautiful shape. Putts rolled true,” Frattaroli said. “The playing partners made it a fun day.”
In Men’s Handicap A Division, Max Gross (81) leads Ryan Duggan (83) and Paul Molina (84).
“The key was the weather held up,” Duggan said. “Hopefully conditions will remain good Sunday.”
In Men’s Handicap B Division, Greenwich High School assistant golf coach Tom Aberle (80) has a sixshot edge on Martin King (86).
“I birdied No. 12 and No. 13 but triple-bogied No. 14,” Aberle said. “The new irons I got here at Sterling Farms from Angela Aulenti made a huge difference.”
In Men’s Handicap C, Westhill High golfer David Lang (85) has a three-shot edge.
“My putting was an issue on the front nine, but I was comfortable and consistent on the back nine,” Lang said. “E. Gaynor Brennan is my home course so I know it like the back of my hand.”
In Men’s Handicap D, Pete Silver (89) leads Joe Paladino by one. In Handicap E, Paul Atkinson leads Tom Bakis by one stroke.