Photo by Kyle Coburn/NAPGT :: Story by Stacia Golem
July 18, 2007 (Bernardston, MA)—After a 30 minute rain delay, the second round of the NAPGT Crumpin-Fox Open started in soggy conditions. Despite the continual rain, the golfers enjoyed softer greens as well as the lift, clean and place rule.
Tied for the lead at nine under are Jim Renner and Dustin Cone. Renner, yesterday’s leader, shot 68 today, one more than yesterday’s 67. “It was a grind out there,” Renner said. “With the rain it was obviously wet but it was nice to play lift, clean and place so that made a big difference.”
Renner’s solid play yesterday carried into the second round, when he hit a hot streak on the back nine. “[On holes 13, 14, and 15] I went birdie, eagle, birdie,” he said. “It’s kind of where I got my round to where it was.”
Cone’s 67 today will put him in contention for tomorrow’s final round. “I played the par three’s really well,” he said. “I birdied every one of them.”
He said that even though he made mistakes due to the rain, his par three play made up for them. “I feel good going into tomorrow,” he said.
Matt Donovan’s magic number today was also 67. After he inked a one under 71 yesterday, Donovan is sole owner of second place at six under par going into tomorrow. He attributed better play to the softened greens and the lift, clean and place rule.
“I had a good save on my first hole then I made an eagle putt on 14—around 60-70 feet—which got me going,” he said. His good start became a better finish as he played steadily coming in with three more birdies.
Tied for third are Eric Egloff and Steve Sokol at five under for the championship. Egloff played considerably better today than yesterday despite the rain—something about which he wasn’t initially thrilled.
“You never get excited when you have to play in the rain,” Egloff said. “It’s hard work because you got to keep everything dry and you’ve got to concentrate on hitting your shots,” he said. “You take good weather for granted when it starts raining.”
Though harder work, Egloff said the course wasn’t hurt by the rain. “The greens were perfect,” he said. “Probably the best greens we’ve played so far this year.”
The cut fell at three over par, 147. Twenty-two players will tee off tomorrow beginning at 7:30 a.m.
