Leaders on the move at Wayne County Men's Amateur

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on July 10, 2010 11:51 PM

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Saturday was moving day at the 12th annual Wayne County Men's Amateur.

Jonathan Burke moved back into a familiar position at the top of the leaderboard.

Burke fired a second consecutive round of 70 and claimed a one stroke advantage with a two-day total of 140. Not even a rain delay could derail Burke's charge on the links at Walnut Creek Country Club.

"I think the rain hurt me just based on when it came," Burke said. "The ground softened up a little bit and that wasn't good for me because I don't hit the ball as far as some of these guys."

After play resumed, Burke delivered a string of pars despite not hitting the ball up to his expectations.

"I didn't make many putts outside of about six feet and really did not feel like I was hitting the ball that well," said Burke. "I was fortunate that I missed in some good spots and was able to get it around."

Burke will try to win his second consecutive WCMA title, his fourth overall, today when the field hits the turf at Southern Wayne Country Club. He will have to hold off a host of challengers that included Clark Rose (141), Hayden Gardner (146) and Dane Jones (146).

"I played my practice round at Southern Wayne on Thursday and I thought the greens out their were awesome," said Burke. "Guys are going to have to hit the ball below the flag and try to be aggressive on some uphill putts."

Don Garris jumped out to a six shot advantage in the senior division after two days. Garris will take a 140 total to Southern Wayne. Last year's runner-up Mario Cantreras sits ina tie for second place with David Gardner with a 146 total.

Perry Balltzglier, the 2009 senior division champion, is in third place eight strokes back.

The story of the opening two rounds belongs to Charlie Waters, who leads the super senior division with a 138 total, and carded an impressive round of 67 at Walnut Creek.

Waters holds a 10 stroke advantage over last year's champion Howard Tyndall. Joe McLamb enters the final round in third place 13 shots behind.

Waters took some advice from an unlikely source that has keyed his surge.

"I was watching golf on television last week and I heard one of the players tell himself 'quiet hands'," said Waters. "I tried to keep my hands steady to avoid hitting a hook and it has worked out so far."

The final round begins at 8 a.m. this morning. The leaders will be teeing off at approximately 2 p.m.