WCMA enters third day

Published in Sports on June 6, 2004 2:00 AM

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DUDLEY -- Following Friday's overcast and stormy opening day, the second round of the Wayne County Men's Amateur Championship featured a near perfect day for golf with clearer skies, little wind and temperatures in the mid-70s at Southern Wayne Country Club on Saturday.

Mike Rackley heads into today's final round at Lane Tree Golf Course holding a two-stroke lead over Al Goodrich and Sam Strawn, with Robby Price and Kevin Kornegay each three strokes back.

"It was my goal to play this well," said Rackley, coming off of a one-over par round of 72. "I have played very consistently thus far in the tournament. I was very up and down in the practice rounds."

Rackley is one-under par for the tournament, and hopes to stay close to that number in the final round being played today at Lane Tree Golf Course.

"I think if I can stay close to par I should have a good chance."

He will tee off with Goodrich and Strawn in the final grouping this afternoon at 1:44 P.M.

Former champion Kevin Kornegay posted the low number of the day with a two-under 69 on Saturday. He plays primarily out of Southern Wayne, and used that to his advantage over golfers who may not have been as familiar with the course.

"The course was in real good shape and played very well. I love it out here."

Milton Smith leads the senior division heading into today's final round as first round leader Danny Ingram fell four strokes back after a second round score of 79.

"I tried to relax, you can't try to force yourself. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don't," said Ingram after his round.

Bill Brewer, Richard Walderman and Philip Brantley are also in contention in the senior division.

After a remarkable score of 67 and an eight stroke lead in the first round, Harvey Reinhardt is now tied for the lead in the super senior division with Joe McLamb, who shot a 71 on Saturday. Reinhardt followed his impressive opening round with a score of 79.

"I didn't hit the ball well and I didn't putt well," he said following his round.

Despite yesterday's disappointment, he remains a favorite for the super senior championship.

This is the sixth consecutive year that the tournament has been played, and many of the golfers are responding well to the tournament committee's decision to move the dates up to early June for cooler weather and less chance for thunderstorms to interrupt play.

Last year's tournament was forced to conclude a day early after the final round was cancelled due to rain.

Each division was divided into separate flights based on combined scores from the first and second rounds. Champions will be recognized after play this afternoon at Lane Tree Golf Course in the men's open, senior (50 and over) and super senior (60 and over) divisions.

Delays slow

first-day action at WCMA

It took just over eleven hours to complete the first round of the sixth annual Wayne County Men's Amateur Tournament at Walnut Creek Country Club on Friday. Afternoon delays due to thunder and sporadic bursts of rain forced the final groups to stay on the course until 7 p.m.

Head professional Jack Snyder said that the playability of the course should not have changed much due to the rain, but the delays were certainly an inconvenience to those with afternoon tee times.

Mike Rackley and Robbie Price each posted a two-under 70 to lead the open division after day one. Defending champion Randy Daughtry shot a one-under 71 to stay one back while John Zambelli (73), Al Goodrich (74), Sam Strawn (74) Matt Tipton (74) and several others remained in close contention for the lead.

2002 senior champion Danny Ingram found himself atop the senior division (50 and over) once again after an even-par 72. Other notable performances in the senior division included Richard Walderman (74), Bill Brewer (75) and Milton Smith (75).

The most impressive performance of the day came from the super senior division (60 and over) as former champion Harvey Reinhardt carded a five-under 67. Reinhardt won the senior division in 2000. Joe McLamb and Richard Costner each posted 75 to trail Reinhardt by eight strokes heading into the second round.