HAVRE DE GRACE, Mary. (July 16, 2012) -- Barry Flaer, from Adamstown, Md., shot 2-under-par 35-35--70, and took a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the 66th Senior Amateur championship of the Middle Atlantic Golf Association at Bulle Rock Golf Club in Havre de Grace, Md.

Flaer, 68, who has challenged for the Super Senior (65-over) title in recent years, and was fifth overall two years ago, had two birdies and one bogey on each side. His putts included a 50-footer that was really moving when it hit the cup and fell in. "We had to repair the hole after that one," Flaer said. He also dropped putts of 15 and 25 feet, but marred the round when he missed a four-footer for par on No. 18.

Two-time champion Marty West, from Rockville, and John Price, from Fairfax, Va., both past presidents of the organization, matched par 72, followed by Mike Shaver, from Phoenix, Md., who had seven 3's on his card and wound up at 73.

At 74 were 2010 runner-up Tim Vigotsky, Centreville, Va.; Henry Blue, Butler, Md., and Michael Weiner, Manchester, Md., while the 75's included Bobby Morris, Great Falls, Va., a former Maryland Amateur and Virginia Senior Amateur champion, and Tom Grady, Marshall, Va., a past Washington Mrtropolitan Seniors champion.

In addition to West (2005-2006), other former winners in the 69-man field were Michael Kelly (2007), Odenton, Md., and Tim Kelley, the defending champion from Ashland, Va.

Play was over a 6,555-yard course on a hot and humid day and more of the same weather is predicted for the second round, July 17, when the full field will return to complete play. After a four-year trial as a three-day, 54-hole event, play reverted last year to the previous 36-hole program.

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