Kevin Silva

Of those that were able to complete play, Rhode Islander Kevin Silva stands alone on top of the leaderboard with a bogey-free 66, birdieing the 17th to edge just ahead of former Rhode Island Mid-Amateur Champion Bobby Leopold.

“I like the sight lines here. I don’t know what it is. I just feel comfortable. And, obviously, I like the greens,” mentioned Silva.

Despite liking the greens, if not for three putts missed within a few feet, Silva could just as easily have put together a round in the low-60s

Keeping pace with Bobby Leopold is North Haven, Connecticut’s Ramsey Kong, also posting at three-under-par 67 in his opening effort. After stumbling out of the gate with a bogey on the par-4 1st hole, Kong would go on to make birdies on Nos. 2, 10, and 11, and 16. An eagle on the short par-5 ninth hole would be good enough to offset his bogeys on 13 and 17.

GROWING PAINS

Defending New England Amateur Champion James Turner is in field this week, but will need to play much better than he did today if he wants a chance at backing up last year’s 7-under-par performance at Hartford Country Club.

His younger brother, Mark Turner, seems to be getting things figured out early this week. Maybe carrying the bag for his older brother in last year’s event is giving him some confidence? It sure seems so.

He played a roller-coaster of a round in which he would score a 2-under-par 68. The round included four birdies, two bogeys, a hole-out eagle, then concluded with a double-bogey on the short, 351-yard 18th hole.