Oakes Fires 8-Under to Lead Field After Round 1 at NYS Boys’ Junior
APALACHIN, N.Y. – Picture-perfect conditions on Tuesday allowed ten players to finish in red numbers in the opening round of the 82nd NYS Boys’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship at the Links at Hiawatha Landing.
Jonathan Oakes put his best foot forward with an 8-under 64 in Round 1 and will hold a four stroke lead at the start of play tomorrow.
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The rising sophomore on Kenyon College’s Golf Team poured in seven birdies and an eagle, while making only one bogey in the memorable round. The 64 was the lowest round in recent NYS Junior Amateur Championship history (best since 2013 winner Yaroslav Merkulov's 61 at Skaneateles).
“I kept telling myself to stay in the moment,” said Oakes moments after turning in his magical card. “On a day like today your mind is racing with thoughts and you just really need to lock in on every shot and I think I was able to do that pretty well today.
The Brian Silva and Mark Mungeam-designed traditional links layout played at 7,050 yards to a Par of 72.
Jackson Saroney of Drumlins GC finished at four under par and will enter the final 36 holes four shots shy of Oakes. The Central New Yorker saved the best for last, making an eagle on the Par 5, 18th to gain some additional ground on the leader.
Following Saroney was Leon Bui of Youth On Course - MGA, who started hot with a front-nine 31 (-5). He could not maintain pace on the back, finishing the day at three under par, one behind Saroney and five behind Oakes.
Three players - Lucas Rizo-Patron of Pelham Country Club, Matt Carpentier of Midvale Country Club and Tucker Gongaware of MGA eClub - NYC turned in a 70 (-2) and remain in the mix heading into Day 2.
Rizo-Patron’s card was highlighted by three eagles on numbers 7, 9 and 12, all Par 5s.
The 18-hole cut-line came in at +3, with the low 40 players (and ties) advancing. All in all, 42 players in the Boys’ 18u field progressed to the final 36 holes.
The first of two rounds tomorrow is set to begin at 7:30 am.
