Chip Lutz and teammate Randy Haag are four shots clear of the field
(USGA Photo)

On a day where just about everyone else struggled, Haag, a member at Olympic Club, and Lutz, an AmateurGolf.com member, caught fire, posting a sensational 7-under 65 at par-72 Bayonet GC in Seaside to take a commanding four stroke lead into Wednesday’s final round.

Looking to become the first repeat winners since Robert Berg and Rob Thompson in 2007-2008, Haag and Lutz made it look easy, posting 10 birdies for a two-day total of 9-under 135.. The two made their biggest move on the back-nine, carding a 32 that included six birdies and a lone hiccup double-bogey on the par-3 14th.

“We lit that side up,” said Lutz, the winner of the 2015 U.S. Senior Amateur.

Haag and Lutz were so hot that record five-time NCGA Senior Player of the Year Jim Knoll, who was playing in the group behind, commented afterwards: “They seemed to be high-fiving each other on every green.”

“You’ll do that when have 10 birdies,” said Haag with a smile.

How good was the 65? The rest of the field averaged a score of 80.60 for the day. In winning last year, the duo posted a second round 66.

“We’re looking forward to tomorrow,” Lutz said.

While Haag and Lutz are in the driver’s seat, they can’t relax too much. Just four strokes behind the leaders is the tandem of recent San Francisco City Senior champion Gary Vanier and Scott Anderson. The first round leaders slipped to a 71, but are still within strking distance, just four shots back at 139.

Also lurking is the team of 2016 NCGA Senior Valley Amateur champ Mark Morgan and partner Todd Palmaer, who shot a 69 for a two-day total of 140. Others who could make a charge include the local tandem of Casey Boyns and Jeff Britton, who are six back after a 72.

The cutline (low 22 and ties) came at 6-over 150.

SUPER SENIOR DIVISION

In the Super Senior Championship, Serrano CC members Sherman Haggerty and Michael Davis assumed control, posting an even-par 72 for a two-day total of 1-under 143 and a two shot lead over the team of Rich Gleghorn and David Hemrick.

Haggerty and Davis, the co-leaders after the first round, were simply steady, carding 16 pars.

Gleghorn and Hemrick, members at De Laveaga GC and Pajaro Valley GC, respectively, fell back with a 74 and are at 145.

Also in the hunt is the tandem of 2016 NCGA Super Senior Championship winner Chuck Richesin and Bob Thomason, who are three back at 146 following a 72. Thomason Thonason coached the University of Pacific men’s baketball team for 25 years.

View results for NCGA Senior Four-Ball