CARMEL, Calif. (October 24, 2013) - Three
players share the lead at the conclusion of the
opening
round of the 22nd Stocker Cup at The
Preserve GC in Carmel.
Jim Lehman, John Savin and Ryan Abbate all
posted two-under 70s in the 54-hole
championship.
Lehman, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a
veteran of numerous Stocker Cups, including a
runner-up
finish in 2000. The 55-year-old also leads in
the race for the Tatum Trophy, for contestants
aged 50
and older.
“I felt very comfortable the entire day
throughout the bag,” the Windsong Farm GC
member said. “I
had no stress and that’s unusual.”
Lehman has competed in nine USGA events,
and made match play of the 2013 USGA
Senior
Amateur. Earlier this year, he captured the
Minnesota State Senior and earned state
player-of-the-
year honors.
San Francisco’s John Savin got off to rough
start, double-bogeying the first hole. But by
virtue of
three birdies and an eagle on the 13th hole,
the San Francisco Golf Club member was able
to post a
strong round.
“That first hole is hard,” Savin said regarding
his opening blemish. “So it really didn’t phase
me.”
Also tied at the top is Ryan Abbate of Weston,
Florida, who earlier this year took second
place in
the prestigious Coleman Invitational.
Perennial contender Brady Exber of Las Vegas
carded a 71 and is one back. Exber was in the
race
for the overall title in 2012 and ultimately
captured the Tatum Trophy. He is tied with
Mike Rowley
of San Luis Obispo. Rowley finished sixth in
2012 after briefly leading the championship
and is a
longtime Stocker Cup participant.
Coming into the event, all eyes were perhaps
on defending three-time champion Kevin
Marsh. The
Henderson, Nevada native is fresh off an
appearance in the semifinals of the U.S. Mid-
Amateur two
weeks ago in Birmingham, Alabama. The 40-
year-old won the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur and
also
captured the California State Amateur in 2012
among numerous titles. An opening 73 has
Marsh
three shots off the lead.
In the net Ruth Stocker Barry Flight, two
Claremont CC (Oakland, Calif.) members hold
the top two
spots on the leaderboard. Mike Machette has a
three-point lead in the modified Stableford
format,
posting 47 points. Three back is Jack Myers.
View full field results from the Ruth
Stocker Barry
Flight
For full field results from the Peter Stocker
Flight, use the
link below.
View results for Stocker Cup 2013 Invitational
ABOUT THE
Stocker Cup 2013 Invitational
This event is dedicated to the memory of
Peter
C. Stocker, a prominent west coast
real estate developer and avid amateur golfer
who perished in a tragic helicopter
accident in 1990.
A 54 hole team competition, including friends
of Peter Stocker, runs concurrently.
--
Players with National golf resumes may
request
an invitation at: www.stockercup.com.
View Complete Tournament Information