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HORSEHEADS, NY. – The 29th NYS Men’s Super Senior and 3rd Legends Amateur Championships teed off for its first round Monday morning. A field consisting of 76 of New York’s best 65 and older amateur golfers are competing over 36 holes at Soaring Eagles Golf Course at Mark Twain State Park. 

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Round one saw some familiar faces at the top of the leaderboard, with the defending champion, Jim Mueller, of Orchard Creek Golf Club, posting a score of even-par for the day as he looks to successfully defend his title. Tied at the top with Mueller is the two-time NYS Men’s Senior Amateur Champion (2019, 2021), Daniel Russo, of Schuyler Meadows Club. Russo had a hot start to his day with an eagle on the second hole, followed by birdies on three and four. He came into the clubhouse with a share of the lead at even-par with a score of 71. 

Following the two at the top, there is a two-way tie for third place, with Joe Capece of NYSGA-eClub-Southern Tier and Dan Levinson of MGA eClub - New York City both finishing at two-over par. Wrapping up the top five is Steve Haluska, of Endwell Greens Golf Club, Russ Morreale, of Golf Club of Newport, and James Narde, of USGA/NYSGA GC, all finished at four-over par. Behind them is Steve Loomis, of Lakeside Country Club, at six-over. To wrap up the top 10, there is a four-way tie for ninth place with Joe Hobika, of Yahnundasis Golf Club, Ken Gardner, of RDGA eClub, Dale Landl, of Locust Hill Country Club, and Thomas Fletcher, of Tuscarora Golf Club, firing rounds of seven over par.

The Super Senior category yardage played 6,131 yards and a par of 71.

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In the Legends bracket, Robert DeWitt, of Transit Valley Country Club, was the only player of either field to shoot under par for the first round, with his score of 69 (two-under). He carded five birdies today and looks to claim his first Legends title after placing T7 last year at Crag Burn. Behind Dewitt at even par is David Young, of Moon Brook Country Club, who had three birdies in his first five holes.

Robert Branham, of Canasawacta Country Club, and Dave Benedict, of Brook-Lea Country Club, are tied for third place at one-over par. 

Michael McNulty, of Park Country Club, finished 15th last year in this championship and the year before finished 10th, which is tied with Rick Shaw, of Links at Hiawatha Landing, at two-over par. In the top 10 is Jim Burns, of Durand Eastman Golf Club, Wayne Stoughton, of Chautauqua Golf Club, and Mark Battle, of Ravenwood Golf Club, who are all tied for seventh place at three-over par. Closing out the top 10 with a tie for the tenth spot at four-over par were Jim Hamburger, of McCann Golf Course, and Andy Conway, of Ravenwood Golf Club.

The Legends category yardage played 5,234 yards, with a par of 71. Final-round play resumes tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.