2K16 WCMA: Rain washes out Friday play; Jones leads Open Division

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on July 18, 2016 1:48 PM

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By JUSTIN HAYES

jhayes@newsargus.com

Wayne County Men's Amateur championship golf host Parker King paced the scoring area on Saturday afternoon at Lane Tree Golf Club, his eyes fixed on the horizon above the facility's practice tee.

The sky was changing its complexion -- again.  

"We need a couple more good hours," he said.

Beset by inclement weather on Friday, King and tournament officials were forced to modify the traditional three-day event, shelving first-round play at Southern Wayne Country Club and reducing the affair to 36 holes.  

"Around five o'clock (Friday), the weather got kind of rough," King said, "and we were thinking it would be a 30-minute delay."

"But that turned into an hour and 45 minutes."

And ultimately, a significant change.

The decision registered varying opinions from the field, but according to King, was the tournament committee's only realistic option.

"For those who played well in the morning, it was disappointing," King said, "We understand. But there was lightning... and we figured better safe than sorry."

Open Division

Dane Jones, a 33-year-old school teacher at Spring Creek Elementary, assumed control of the amended day one leaderboard with a 6-under par round of 66.

The effort included 12 pars and six birdies.

Call it an efficiency model -- a day in waiting.

"I really did not know how today's round would play out," he said of fighting through the delay. "I just told myself to go out there and post a good number."

En route to the lead, Jones methodically toured the 6,500-yard layout, hitting nine of 14 fairways and 16 greens in regulation. He took 28 putts for the round.

Two shots back of Jones is four-time WCMA title holder Jonathan Burke, who birdied three of his final seven holes to register a 4-under par round of 68.

"I didn't hit it great, but just good enough to not get in any real trouble," Burke noted. "Just have to play solid tomorrow... I would think another 68 would get the job done."

Also providing chase will be Rosewood graduate and University of Mount Olive golfer Nick Adams, who signed for 68; and Ryan Campbell, who finished with 72.

The overnight lead, however, is the property of Jones -- and he well enough knows the tournament's final stanza will present a host of challenges.

"WCCC is a tough course, (and) I'm sure (pro) Clarence (Rose) will have the course set up tough... but if I stick to my strengths, I should have a chance," Jones said.

Seniors Division

Start hot, stay hot.

That was the agenda for Stan Adams, whose 6-under par 66 forged a seven-shot advantage over Tim Rose and Lionel Sutton, who each fired a 73 in the opening round.

And it happened in a hurry.

Adams opened with a birdie at the 367-yard, par-4 first hole, then reeled off six more in a 13-hole span between the front and back nine. His only blemish occurred at the par-4 17th, where Adams recorded the lone bogey of his round.  

In total, the flight saw 13 of its 27 entrants record scores of 79 or better.

Super Seniors

Crowded house.

That's an accurate description of life in the 60-69 age bracket, where just two shots separate six players headed into today's title chase.  

Jim Alford and defending champion John Zambelli each carded 1-over rounds of 73. They are followed by Richard Walderman, Bo Hughes and Ben King, who each signed for 74.

Tony Cameron filed a round of 75.

Masters Division

William Jetton, who fired a 71 in Friday's opening round, stumbled on day two en route to a 9-over 81. His 36-hole total of 156 leaves him 10 shots behind the pace of leader Mickey Nance, who fired a second consecutive round of 73 in Saturday's sweltering conditions.

Joe McLamb, who has authored rounds of 75-79, must charge from eight shots back in order to challenge Nance.   

The only group of players to finish each round of this year's event as scheduled, the flight began final-round play at 8 this morning.

Weather permitting, of course.