Photo by Kyle Coburn :: Story by Stacia GolemAugust 6, 2007 (Harvard, MA)—It was a shaky start for some on the first day of the Shaker Hills Open in Harvard, MA. High scores were had by many, all attributing it to a difficult course, and an especially demanding back nine.
Tied for the lead at four under, 67 are Dustin Cone and Michael Harris, both feeling good about their play today considering the arduous conditions.
“It’s a hard course out there, it really is,” said Cone, who has had three top ten finishes, including a win at Crumpin-Fox.
“You need a lot of placement shots,” he said. “I didn’t hit that many drivers today—I hit a lot of three irons and three woods—so it’s a difficult placement but I ended up playing alright.”
Solid playing, including five birdies, a pair of which were on his last two holes, was enough to give Cone the 67 and tie for the lead.
Co-leader Harris said he felt better putting and a couple of really good shots helped put him in contention going into tomorrow.
Starting out on the back nine, Harris kept it steady and shot par. “I think the back side has a couple of trickier tee shots—just doesn’t set up as well for me—so I was happy just to shoot even on that side then make the turn,” he said.
Harris then had an easier time on his second nine. “I birdied both the par fives on that side which is good. I two-putted for one of them—I hit one of the greens in two so that was kind of an easy birdie,” he said.
Also happy with his position going into the second round, Harris is working on his putting and hoping for rain, something that might soften the course and make the ball easier to control, he said.
The field is evenly spread; one stroke separates each successive player. In third place at three under, 68, is Billy Downes, and in fourth place at two under, 69 is Charles Meola. Four players are tied for fifth at one under, 70. Play resumes tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.
